Westpark Cemetery is a large cemetery in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is the resting place of some of the country's well-known citizens. It is a non-denomination designated burial ground, and thus has Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Chinese burial areas. The Jewish section contains a Holocaust Memorial, erected in 1959.[1]
It was opened in 1942, and historically was part of one of Johannesburg's original farms, Farm Waterval, which was purchased in 1887 by two Geldenhuys brothers in the hope of finding gold. While they did not find gold, Louw Geldenhuys employed Boer War veterans to build the Emmarentia Dam, and leased smallholdings with fruit trees.
In 1993, 13 hectares were donated to the city for public recreation and, eventually with the other sections, became the Johannesburg Botanic Gardens, Marks Parks Sports Club and the Westpark Cemetery.[2] Today, the sprawling cemetery is the resting place of thousands of Johannesburg residents, and has separate Chinese, Muslim, Jewish, Christian and SANDF burial areas. Many ornate gravestones and mausoleums can be found throughout the park.
Westpark is an active cemetery, as burials are still allowed and performed.
Military plotedit
There are also specific areas for servicemen who have died in the line of duty. This cemetery contains war graves of 617 Commonwealth service personnel of World War II, mostly burials from military hospitals and an airfield, besides 21 non-Commonwealth war graves and seven non-war graves that are in care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.[3][4]
The Military Plot contains the Johannesburg Cremation Memorial to 69 Commonwealth service personnel cremated at Johannesburg's Braamfontein Crematorium during the same war and is found directly behind the Cross of Sacrifice.[5]
Notable intermentsedit
Beyers Naudé – Christiaan Frederick Beyers Naudé (1915–2004) was a South African cleric, theologian and the leading Afrikaner anti-apartheid activist.
Westdene dam disaster – Casualties of the Westdene dam disaster, a bus accident that took place in Westdene, near Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1985.
westpark, cemetery, large, cemetery, johannesburg, south, africa, resting, place, some, country, well, known, citizens, denomination, designated, burial, ground, thus, christian, jewish, muslim, chinese, burial, areas, jewish, section, contains, holocaust, mem. Westpark Cemetery is a large cemetery in Johannesburg South Africa and is the resting place of some of the country s well known citizens It is a non denomination designated burial ground and thus has Christian Jewish Muslim and Chinese burial areas The Jewish section contains a Holocaust Memorial erected in 1959 1 Westpark CemeteryDetailsEstablished1942LocationBeyers Naude Drive Montgomery Park Johannesburg GautengCoordinates26 9 49 S 27 59 23 E 26 16361 S 27 98972 E 26 16361 27 98972Owned byJohannesburg City ParksWebsitejhbcityparks comFind a GraveWestpark Cemetery Memorial to the Six Million at Westpark Cemetery It was opened in 1942 and historically was part of one of Johannesburg s original farms Farm Waterval which was purchased in 1887 by two Geldenhuys brothers in the hope of finding gold While they did not find gold Louw Geldenhuys employed Boer War veterans to build the Emmarentia Dam and leased smallholdings with fruit trees In 1993 13 hectares were donated to the city for public recreation and eventually with the other sections became the Johannesburg Botanic Gardens Marks Parks Sports Club and the Westpark Cemetery 2 Today the sprawling cemetery is the resting place of thousands of Johannesburg residents and has separate Chinese Muslim Jewish Christian and SANDF burial areas Many ornate gravestones and mausoleums can be found throughout the park Westpark is an active cemetery as burials are still allowed and performed Military plot editThere are also specific areas for servicemen who have died in the line of duty This cemetery contains war graves of 617 Commonwealth service personnel of World War II mostly burials from military hospitals and an airfield besides 21 non Commonwealth war graves and seven non war graves that are in care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission 3 4 The Military Plot contains the Johannesburg Cremation Memorial to 69 Commonwealth service personnel cremated at Johannesburg s Braamfontein Crematorium during the same war and is found directly behind the Cross of Sacrifice 5 Notable interments editBeyers Naude Christiaan Frederick Beyers Naude 1915 2004 was a South African cleric theologian and the leading Afrikaner anti apartheid activist Westdene dam disaster Casualties of the Westdene dam disaster a bus accident that took place in Westdene near Johannesburg South Africa in 1985 Evelyn Mase midwife nurse and former first wife of Nelson Mandela Jacob Matlala Baby Jake 1962 2013 was a South African boxer and junior flyweight champion from Meadowlands Johannesburg Joe Mafela South African actor writer producer director singer and businessman Linda Mkhize ProKid 1981 2018 better known by his stage name ProKid or PRO was a South African rapper and producer John Nkadimeng South African politician and anti Apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada freedom fighter struggle icon Parliamentary Councillor and adviser to President Nelson Mandela George Bizos Greek South African human rights lawyer Nkosi Johnson Child AIDS activist Joe Modise ANC struggle veteran and Umkhonto we Sizwe commander Alfred Nzo Anti apartheid struggle veteran Brett Goldin well known stage and screen actor who was murdered execution style with his fashion designer friend Richard Bloom Harry Heinz Schwarz lawyer statesman and long time political opposition leader against apartheid Moosa Moolla South African activist and diplomat Herman Charles Bosman famous South African poet and author Simba Mhere 1988 2015 South African Zimbabwean TV Personality Cecil Margo Judge World War II fighter pilot DFC DSO Gisele Wulfsohn South African photographer Akhumzi Jezile South African actor television presenter and producer Arthur Chaskalson Judge lawyer to Nelson Mandela Johnny Clegg British born South African musician and anthropologist Johannes van der Walt South African wrestler known as the Gemaskerde Wonder Masked Wonder Gert Potgieter tenor South African Tenor and Actor Mandoza 1978 2016 South African kwaito musician Vuyo Mbuli South African television personality and news presenter Prudence Nobantu Mabele 1971 2017 one of first black South African lesbian woman and a leading HIV activist to live openly with HIV Richard Maponya South African entrepreneur and property developer John Moshoeu South African retired professional footballer Israel A Maisels South African judge Kiernan Jarryd Forbes 1988 2023 South African Rapper Essop Pahad South African politician Aziz Pahad South African politicianReferences edit Holocaust Memorial in West Park Cemetery Johannesburg Blogging while allatsea 22 January 2014 Retrieved 26 November 2015 Johannesburg City Parks Retrieved 24 February 2013 CWGC Cemetery Details Retrieved 24 February 2013 City of Johannesburg History told in graves Retrieved 24 February 2013 1 CWGC Cemetery Report Johannesburg Cremation Memorial Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Westpark Cemetery amp oldid 1191092857, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
