MAKONDE - He is one of the unnoticed local community builders whose job has gone for years without any a pat on the shoulder. He makes sure that the deceased are buried in peace and with dignity.

He has never been rewarded for his work since 1982, but he keeps on serving the local community voluntarily and with courage. Ailwei Netshipise (63) has been taking care of the Makonde village graveyard outside Thohoyandou for 22 years without remuneration because of his love for the community.

“I make sure that the graveyard is clean at all times. I also reconstruct the fence when it gets damaged. My other job includes keeping the keys of the gate to make sure that entrance to the graveyard is controlled. I have to be near the graveyard at all times to keep away domestic animals that could damage the fence.”

Because Makonde is a rural village where there are no municipal gravediggers, Netshipise is the group leader of Dziphele (a Venda word for gravediggers).

“I make sure that the measurements of the graves are accurate to avoid mishaps during burials. I also see to it that graves are constructed orderly so that it could be easier for family members to locate the graves of their loved ones. There is nothing on earth more important than people.”

The unemployed Netshipise, who supports his wife and six kids through handouts and selling firewood, is a usual figure at the entrance of the graveyard during each funeral. “During the funeral, my main job is to observe our traditional funeral dressing code. Men are supposed to put on a jacket, work suit or a jersey. Women are not allowed to enter the graveyard without anything covering their hair. By the powers vested in me by the Civic Association and the Royal Council, I never allow anybody to enter the graveyard if he or she does not conform to our traditional graveyard dressing code.”

Netshipise further sees that there is order and stability during funerals.

“If a cellphone rings during a funeral proceeding, I arrest the owner and hand him over to members of the Royal Council who will decide the fine to be imposed. The dead must be buried with dignity and I will continue to serve my people although I’m not paid for it. I know I will die one day and my wish will be that there must be somebody who looks after my grave. I’m not doing this job for name or fame, but I feel it is my responsibility to make a contribution in the development of my community in this way.”

Netshipise says he enjoys his work because it keeps him busy and makes him stay healthy.

“The more I work hard, the more my body becomes fit and it helps me to stay way from unbecoming behaviour like crime and booze. I encourage other unemployed community members to do something that can benefit their communities instead of lingering around and doing nothing.”