The Moslem Cemetery Board has announced plans for the construction of a mortuary refrigeration facility at the Mowbray Muslim Cemetery, after receiving approval from the City of Cape Town earlier this month.
The announcement was made during the cemetery’s weekend clean-up campaign, a joint initiative of The Moslem Cemetery Board and the Muslim Judicial Council-SA (MJC-SA), and supported by a number of organisations and companies.
In the presence of esteemed guests, including Muslim religious leaders, members of the government, and representatives from various organisations, The Moslem Cemetery Board members formally announced the approval for the construction of the refrigeration facility.
The cemetery has undergone a number of changes over the past few years, including the geotagging of gravesites making it easier for people to locate a specific grave online.
Mowbray Moslem Cemetery Board member Ayub Mohamed said other developments also included the construction of a ghusl (ritual bath) facility for the mayyit (deceased) and salaah facilities on the premises.
“But no cemetery in Cape Town or in the Western Cape to my knowledge actually has a refrigeration facility. According to the regulations, all funeral undertakers are supposed to have access to a refrigeration facility and that is actually what we are going to be doing now at Mowbray.”
The go-ahead for the construction was received on February 4, 2025. He said the refrigeration system would cost approximately R2 million and that a fundraising drive would also be initiated.
Once the funds have been raised and the facility constructed, the Board would then apply for the relevant licensing with the City’s Environmental Health Department to be able to utilise the facility.
“Currently the MJC has an arrangement with Lentegeur Hospital that if there are Muslim bodies that need to be stored, they will store it at Lentegeur Hospital because that mortuary is not in use at the moment. Now we can actually bring that here, to the community at Mowbray. A lot closer and also be able to combine all the facilities.”
In terms of digital development, last year, over 50% of grave bookings were done online. By April 1, the Board intends to have all bookings made online.
The geotagging of graves has also made it possible for people to locate a grave easily via the ‘Find a Grave’ website.
Families, large and small, young and senior could be seen entering the gates carrying spades, garden scissors, dirt bags, and large bottles for watering, on Saturday and Sunday. Over 1 000 people were in attendance on each of the two days.
Activities at the cemetery also included the recitation of dhikr and free food and refreshments, allowing for the families and community to connect.
Moslem Cemetery Board chairperson Faizal Sayed said the weekend-clean up was a third of its kind for the cemetery and intended to have the community back and involved in the cemetery and its developments.
“We want the community back and to be part of what we’re doing so that they can take care (of it) because these are sanctified spaces.”
It was also integral to get young people involved, he added.
Sisters Rushaan Martin and Fatima Ally tidied the grave of their father Mansoor Martin who had passed away in May, 2012.
“We are three daughters of al marhoom Mansoor Martin, my beloved father who raised us very beautifully and we are ever thankful, we will never be able to repay him for what he has done for us. And as you know, the cleaning of graves, normally it’s associated with something that boys would do and we being three girls, but that never stopped us from coming,” Martin said.
While cleaning their father’s gravesite, they noticed the unkempt grave adjacent to his and tended to the seemingly abandoned grave, clearing it of overgrown grass.
While they regularly maintained their father’s grave, they felt it was also significant to take part in the cemetery’s initiative.
“It’s a very good initiative and I think it’s something that should happen regularly. For us living, it’s a reminder that death is on everyone’s doorstep. It can happen anytime, whether you’re healthy, sick or whatever.”
As children, one would participate in ceremonies related to birth; however, when it comes to death, there tends to be a stepping back from these proceedings, the sisters shared.
“As kids when there’s birth you’d go to the name giving and you’re part of that process, but when it comes to death, and then we almost keep ourselves away or shy away from that part and we actually need to be a part of that because ultimately we are all going to go there.”
The family shared that through their actions, they hoped their children would continue to do the same. They added that it also increased the spirit of community as passersby acknowledged each other’s presence, some stopping for conversation.
Deputy Minister of Social Development Ganief Hendricks and Al Jama-ah president said: “It is a great occasion that after 300 years of Islam in Cape Town, that for the first time we now have a Muslim mortuary with refrigeration facilities to comply with the laws of the country when it comes to dealing with the remains of people.”
The Cape Town Ulama Board expressed support to the cemetery and called on the public to support the various initiatives aimed at improving the community’s burial facilities and services.
“By coming together and investing in projects like the Mowbray Cemetery upgrades, we can create a more efficient and supportive environment for all those who require these services,” the Board said in a statement released.
