The Mowbray Cemetery has once again announced the dates for its much-anticipated Community Cemetery Weekend, set to take place on Saturday and Sunday, 7 and 8 February 2026. What began as a local initiative pioneered by Mowbray Cemetery has since grown into a powerful community movement that has expanded to other cemeteries across the region, with the community continually asking when the next clean-up weekend will take place.
Over the years, this initiative has grown remarkably, now drawing thousands of people who come out in huge numbers to care for the graves of their loved ones. Families, youth, community organisations, and volunteers gather to clean, repair, neaten and restore graves, indicating a collective commitment to honouring those who have passed on. During the weekend event, the Mowbray Cemetery will also make a special announcement of a new development that will benefit the Muslim Community.
Cemeteries are not easy spaces to maintain. The upkeep of such vast grounds presents ongoing challenges, from environmental factors to wear and tear over time. However, over the past five years especially, cemeteries have become increasingly community centric spaces ensuring these sacred grounds are treated with dignity and respect. The initiative, supported by the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), calls on the public to bring along spades, buckets, refuse bags and gloves and to participate actively in the clean up process. Many service providers and cemetery operational partners will also be present on the weekend to assist.President of the MJC, Sheikh Riad Fataar, welcomed the continued growth of the initiative and its expanding impact.
“This project started right here at Mowbray Cemetery and has now become a model for community participation at cemeteries across the city,” said Sheikh Fataar. “It is heartening to see many people coming out to honour their loved ones. Not everyone is able to regularly tend to family graves, so this initiative creates an opportunity for collective responsibility and compassion. I urge those attending to also look around and attend to graves that may be neglected, even if they do not belong to your family. In this way, we preserve the dignity and honour of those who have passed on.”
Community Cemetery Clean-Up events at Cemeteries are a testament to what is possible when communities unite around a shared purpose. What started as a single event has now become a much-anticipated fixture on the community calendar, with residents eagerly awaiting each new announcement. The Johnson Road Cemetery also announces its dates shortly.
The public is strongly encouraged to come out in numbers and be part of this meaningful initiative. Families are welcome, and all are invited to participate in this act of service and remembrance.
For further information, contact Mowbray Cemetery on +27 63 399 0656 or email Info@MowbrayCemetery.com.
