- As burial space becomes limited across Cape Town, the City is planning to create 200 new burial plots at Ocean View Cemetery by repurposing internal roads and adjusting the cemetery’s walls.
- Subcouncil 19 chair Simon Liell-Cock has expressed concerns about the facility’s need for upgrades, while Mayco member Patricia van der Ross highlights challenges with vandalism and the need for community cooperation.
- Upgrades to Ocean View Cemetery, including security enhancements and repairs, are scheduled to begin early next year.
As burial space is becoming limited across the City, the recreation and parks department is looking at creating space for 200 more burial plots at Ocean View Cemetery.
According to Subcouncil 19 documents, there are plans to create 200 new plots by repurposing internal roads within the cemetery and shifting the walls, pending consultations and funding approval.
Subcouncil 19 chair Simon Liell-Cock explained: “No-one has complained about limited space in the cemetery, however, the recreation and parks department is looking at creating more burial space. Burial space across the City is an issue,” he added. “They are looking at roads inside the cemetery to be repurposed for grave space.
“I’m, however, more concerned about getting the facility upgraded.”
When People’s Post visited the cemetery with Liell-Cock in September last year (“Dilapidated and unacceptable,” People’s Post, 19 September 2023 ) he commented that it had been brought to his attention that the Muslim section of Ocean View Cemetery was getting full.
“Cemeteries and crematoriums are local- government mandated but as cemeteries get full one needs to have new sites because one cannot use valuable housing space for this purpose.”
READ | Building in Ocean View cemetery ‘dilapidated and unacceptable’
Earlier this year, Mayco member for community service and health Patricia van der Ross said the recreation and parks department was actively looking at several sites throughout the City for cemetery use.
Thousands of burials
In a statement on Saturday 24 August, Van der Ross said the City’s cemeteries handled a total of 13 777 in-ground burials during the past financial year, which was a slight increase from 13 698 in the previous year.
Public burials were the most common, with 6 393 interments, followed by monumental burials at 3 697 and berm burials at 3 687.
“Ensuring that all burial needs are met with dignity and respect remains a core part of the City’s mission,” she said. “Vandalism in our cemeteries remains an ongoing challenge and it simply cannot be tolerated.
“The cost of continuous repair and replacement of damaged assets is unsustainable, so I appeal to communities to report any vandalism or theft so that those responsible can be dealt with.”
Meanwhile, improvement to the maintenance building at Ocean View Cemetery has been approved for upgrading next year.
“The issue was always to get a budget and this is not the only cemetery around,” said Liell-Cock.
According to Subcouncil 19 reports, upgrades to the Ocean View cemetery will include roof repairs, veranda replacement, plumbing and electrical work.
Issues with vandalism and security have prompted the Recreation and Parks Department to look into installing surveillance cameras to improve safety.
“Security was a growing concern due to ongoing vandalism.
“The Department of Recreation and Parks was looking into installing surveillance cameras to improve safety,” a Subcouncil 19 report read.
“While the department has funding in place, delays with the tender process mean the repairs would only start early next year and should take about four to six weeks.”
Vandalism or theft in progress can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.
