By Levy Masiteng
In an effort to address the growing demand for burial space in Johannesburg, the Hamberg Cemetery in Roodepoort reopened its gates on Thursday.
The historic cemetery has been thoroughly assessed and revitalised to accommodate approximately 1500 burial sites and reopenings, according to Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JPCZ), which is the custodian of cemeteries in the city.
It said the decision to reactivate the cemetery was part of its broader plan to manage Johannesburg’s burial needs with foresight and respect.
JCPZ said 38 out of 42 cemeteries have reached full capacity.
A key feature of the cemetery is a maximum of five burials or reopenings a day, with staggered services to avoid congestion.
It will adopt the Westpark tariff structure from next month, with prices starting at R3764 for adult burials and R1800 for child burials.
“This plan focuses on addressing immediate burial needs, while ensuring that future generations are not left with the challenge of managing cemeteries that have reached full capacity,” JCPZ said in a statement.
It is exploring alternative burial options, including cremation, multiple interments in family graves and above-ground mausoleums.
It said these solutions were aimed at conserving land, managing costs and maintaining the dignity of burial services.
JCPZ managing director Thanduxolo Mendrew said: “The reopening of Hamberg Cemetery is not just about creating space; it’s about managing our city’s burial needs with foresight and respect.”
He said cemeteries were regularly patrolled by rangers and maintained with scheduled care every 60 days to ensure dignity, safety and order.
Mendrew attempted to allay fears from residents, saying that the city has sufficient burial space to meet demand for the next 30 years.
JCPZ COO David Maluleke said the reopening marked a new chapter in Johannesburg’s burial space strategy, providing much-needed relief to communities in the western parts of the city.
“Let us honour the dead by making choices that protect the living and ensure that our children do not face a future burdened by exhausted space and forgotten graves,” he said.
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