Disrespecting our dead

Lack of respect for graveyards, or the dead for that matter, particularly in the black communities of Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Langa (three townships with cemeteries) is quite worrisome.

- THULANI MAGAZI

Growing up we were taught about the importance of graveyards and to afford the deceased due respect. As a child I never went to a funeral. The first I ever attended was my grandmother's in 1994 when in Standard 9 (Grade 11). It was not a particularly pleasant experience, albeit necessary.

It was the first time I had a close-up view of a grave close-up and my first experience of looking down at a dead person.