On Sunday I stopped by a cleanup event at the Brixton Cemetery, hosted by the Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries. The volunteer group regularly organizes cleanups at different cemeteries around the city, picking up rubbish and restoring the older headstones.
A volunteer cleans one of the prettiest headstones in Brixton cemetery, erected for Alida du Randt in 1930. I posted a photo of the same headstone the last time I visited Brixton Cemetery, way back in 2013.
A spectacular organ headstone, erected in 1937 for Wilfred James Murray.
The day’s youngest and cutest volunteers.
The light was really harsh on Sunday morning so I couldn’t visually capture the cleanup event as nicely as I would have liked. (Please check out my Brixton Cemetery photos from 2013, taken on a rainy, misty afternoon, for some more atmospheric shots.) But I spent quite a bit of time walking around, reading the headstones and making up stories about the people buried beneath them. I’d forgotten how cemeteries make me think.
The inscription on this stone made me remember how terrible it feels to lose a loved one without being able to say goodbye. Nearly 100 years later, I could still feel the pain of these two parents.
This headstone struck me because it’s half-empty. The inscription reads, “In loving memory of my dear husband and darling daddy, Leonard Walter Smith. Born 2 July, 1909, died 2 Jan., 1938. A silent thought, a secret tear, keeps his memory ever dear.” When Leonard died (at the very young age of 28), I suppose his widow expected to eventually be buried beside him. But she must have married again and changed her plans.
Headstone of a boy, Philip Joseph, who died when he was only 16, and Namtalla Joseph, who I presume was his mother. The letters in Philip’s name seem to have been pried off the stone. I’m intrigued by the lettering at the bottom of the stone, which I think is Arabic — not something I would expect to see on a Christian headstone. I’m guessing the Josephs were a Lebanese Christian family.
One of quite a few headless headstones in the Brixton Cemetery. The cemetery has been badly vandalized over the years.
There’s something about the harsh light, the dramatic, Pietà-style headstone, and the incredibly tall palm tree soaring in the background that makes the hairs on my arms stand up.
The Brixton Cemetery isn’t safe to visit alone, so volunteer events like this are a great opportunity to experience a unique slice of Joburg heritage. Follow the Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries and the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation for information on future events.
HEATHER VHARI DOHERTY on February 24, 2022 at 7:34 pm
Thank you for the fabulous photography which made me feel part of the celebrations. I lived in the RSA for nearly 20 years and still miss the people and the vibe! Heather
I’m an American writer/blogger/photographer living a quirky life in Johannesburg. Follow along as I explore Johannesburg, South Africa, and the rest of the world.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Great photos considering the harsh light.
Thanks!
There is some impressive sculpture there, and in other cemeteries, if copyist – cemeteries – 4 ees, who knew! 🙂
Death inspires creativity, I think.
I salute the volunteers, and thank you for making their work more widely known. Your photos were great.. harsh light adding to the sense of drama.
Thank you!
That organ headstone is extraordinary.
Right? I wish I’d gone back afterward to photograph it after she finished.
love this post. thank you
Thank you for the fabulous photography which made me feel part of the celebrations. I lived in the RSA for nearly 20 years and still miss the people and the vibe! Heather
Thanks so much, Heather 🙂