Community and partners clear long-neglected Namakgale gravesite
PHALABORWA — An organised clean-up of the old Namakgale graveyard has reopened an overgrown and previously inaccessible burial ground, organisers said, in a gesture they described as restoring dignity and protecting heritage for families and the wider community.
The effort was led by the Phalaborwa Liberation Stalwarts (PLS), a non-profit, non-partisan group whose members were active in the liberation movement during the 1980s and 1990s, according to a report in the Letaba Herald. PLS secretary Sammy Modiselle told the Herald the site had become a dumping ground and needed urgent attention.
“The last grave was erected here in 1989, and the site had been neglected and turned into a dumping ground. When we dump litter at a graveyard, we lose part of our heritage,” Modiselle said, adding that the clean-up was meant to “restore pride and dignity to the deceased and provide comfort to their families.”
Modiselle framed the project as a Heritage Month contribution and said it was the start of a wider programme to rehabilitate Phalaborwa’s public spaces. He called for collaboration with other community members and organisations who share the same aims.
Who took part and what was provided
The Herald report says PLS worked with seven sponsors who supported the initiative. Some sponsors provided heavy equipment, including TLBs, and supplied tools used during the clean-up. Volunteers from the organisation carried out the manual clearing and site restoration.
- Lead organisation: Phalaborwa Liberation Stalwarts (PLS)
- Sponsors: Seven partners assisted, donating equipment and tools
- Last recorded burial: 1989, according to Modiselle
- Purpose: Restore dignity, protect heritage, make site accessible to families
Local context and implications
Graveyards and cemeteries are sensitive community spaces that carry cultural, historical and emotional value. In many rural and township settings, neglect can follow land-use pressures, resource constraints and municipal capacity challenges. By restoring the Namakgale site, the PLS hopes to reverse years of neglect and to raise awareness about proper maintenance and protection of burial sites.
Modiselle told the Herald the clean-up was intended not only as a physical rehabilitation but as a statement about heritage preservation and community pride. He said the group wants Phalaborwa to be regarded “as one of the cleanest towns in the country” and that the Namakgale project is the first step toward broader revitalisation.
Next steps and community call
PLS appealed for wider participation from residents, organisations and institutions with an interest in preserving local heritage. The group said it has further plans for similar work but did not specify a timetable in the Herald report. The initiative highlights how civil society, volunteers and sponsored support can fill gaps when public services and maintenance are limited.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Phalaborwa Liberation Stalwarts (PLS) |
| Supporters | Seven sponsors (including equipment donors) |
| Last burial recorded | 1989 |
The original reporting was published in the Letaba Herald and carried photographs credited to Johannes Mkhonza and Welcome Mukansi, as reported by the Herald. The journalist of the Herald report is Emelda Tintswalo Shipalana.
Local families and community leaders will now be watching whether the clean-up is maintained and whether municipal or civic bodies will join future efforts to protect burial sites and other heritage places in Phalaborwa.
