Cremation urged as Windhoek cemeteries fill up
• Three already closed
The City of Windhoek has urged its residents to consider cremations given the current restrictions.
Three of Windhoek's cemeteries have reached their capacity.
This was announced by the City of Windhoek during a stakeholder event to review its latest strategic plan and annual performance report last Thursday.
The comprehensive report revealed that there is no remaining space in these cemeteries. There are reservations for 43 graves at the Old Location cemetery, seven at the Katutura cemetery and 190 at the Khomasdal cemetery, but beyond those existing reservations, these cemeteries will be closed.
In response to the growing crisis of space in cemeteries, the City has shifted focus to cremation as a viable alternative. In the 2022-23 financial year, it performed 522 cremations.
CEO Moses Matyayi urged the community to seriously consider cremation given the current restrictions.
"Our cemeteries have reached their capacity and we need to explore alternative burial options while we work on developing new sites," he said.
He also announced plans to set up a new cemetery in Rocky Crest to address the issue.
Other cemeteries
The report highlighted the status of other municipal cemeteries. Gammams, Groot Aub and Oponganda cemeteries are more than 50% full, with 1 250, 533 and 1 200 graves still available respectively. Of these, 1 046 graves at Gammams, eight at Oponganda and 53 at Groot Aub have already been reserved.
Windhoek's urban population growth is increasing drastically, with the influx of around 12 000 residents who move to the city every year. This has pushed the population to more than 486 000, which speaks to the urgent need for viable alternatives.
The City’s strategic plan for 2022 to 2027 aims to tackle these capacity issues through the development of new cemeteries and the promotion of cremation. Matyayi emphasised the importance of proactive measures to ensure that the City can effectively manage its funeral needs. "Planning for the future is crucial. We are committed to providing dignified and respectful burial options for our community, but we must adapt to our current limitations and plan accordingly.”
This was announced by the City of Windhoek during a stakeholder event to review its latest strategic plan and annual performance report last Thursday.
The comprehensive report revealed that there is no remaining space in these cemeteries. There are reservations for 43 graves at the Old Location cemetery, seven at the Katutura cemetery and 190 at the Khomasdal cemetery, but beyond those existing reservations, these cemeteries will be closed.
In response to the growing crisis of space in cemeteries, the City has shifted focus to cremation as a viable alternative. In the 2022-23 financial year, it performed 522 cremations.
CEO Moses Matyayi urged the community to seriously consider cremation given the current restrictions.
"Our cemeteries have reached their capacity and we need to explore alternative burial options while we work on developing new sites," he said.
He also announced plans to set up a new cemetery in Rocky Crest to address the issue.
Other cemeteries
The report highlighted the status of other municipal cemeteries. Gammams, Groot Aub and Oponganda cemeteries are more than 50% full, with 1 250, 533 and 1 200 graves still available respectively. Of these, 1 046 graves at Gammams, eight at Oponganda and 53 at Groot Aub have already been reserved.
Windhoek's urban population growth is increasing drastically, with the influx of around 12 000 residents who move to the city every year. This has pushed the population to more than 486 000, which speaks to the urgent need for viable alternatives.
The City’s strategic plan for 2022 to 2027 aims to tackle these capacity issues through the development of new cemeteries and the promotion of cremation. Matyayi emphasised the importance of proactive measures to ensure that the City can effectively manage its funeral needs. "Planning for the future is crucial. We are committed to providing dignified and respectful burial options for our community, but we must adapt to our current limitations and plan accordingly.”
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