Share a grave with total strangers? Over my dead body

The City of Ekurhuleni's plan to bury three unrelated people in one grave has been met with outrage.

The Times reported last week that Ekurhuleni, on the East Rand, was embarking on the plan because it was running out of land in which to bury the dead.

In preparation, the city has started to dig graves 3m deep, instead of the usual 2m .

Sekibakiba Lekgoathi, Wits University associate professor of history, said, "Burials are quite sacred. That is why people born in rural areas insist that their bodies be buried among their own people.

"If people have to conduct certain rituals pertaining to the dead such as ukuhlabela amadlozi (slaughtering for ancestors), how do you go to a grave where your loved one is buried among strangers?"

Times readers have interesting views on the issue.

Papama Gweva said: "How will you rest in peace when you are surrounded by Ndlovu on your left, Mkhize on your right, Makhathini below you and Ngcobo above you?"

Kay Moganedi said: "Some of us value our roots; we value our culture. We won't be buried in the same graves with strangers."

Peejay MacLane said: "I'd rather share the grave with my wife and children, not strangers."