PAN AFRICAN CEMETERIES & CREMATORIA CONFERENCE

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2 Background The South African Cemeteries Association (SACA) is an industry body for the cemeteries and crematoria industry throughout South Africa. The organisation s main objective is to be the leading facilitator to provide a nationally co-ordinated and developmental cemetery service to all communities in need. This year SACA has partnered with ethekwini Municipality and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to present a Pan African Cemeteries Conference as the challenges that are faced in the provision of sustainable interment services extends beyond national boundaries. The service is faced with common issues that affect the sustainable provision of our services. These included urbanisation, population growth, rampant development, climatechange and the delay in adapting to these changes as a result of traditional practices within communities. Whilst communities jealously guard traditional practices and articulate the respect that is needed to be reserved for the departed on the one hand, authorities should acknowledge the diversity in communities beliefs when planning for the provision, design and maintenance of cemeteries facilities. Unfortunately, poor planning for the provision has often resulted in many cemeteries laying in ruins or poorly managed. Progressive change is delayed by inertia as political leadership delay in addressing the approaches that could lead to sustaining the services out of fear of marginalising communities and losing popularity. The conference will provide an opportunity to present research, encourage discussion, share experiences, innovations and approaches in the provision of services for which government authorities are responsible. The need for this gathering not only arises from these challenges but the startling realisation that this service requires an initiative to collectively galvanize authorities throughout Africa to address this problem. It is with this purpose and intention that the first of its kind Pan African Conference will take place from the 27th to the 30th August 2017 at the Durban International Convention Centre. The afternoon of the 27th will be reserved for registration and a cocktail reception whilst the 30th will be reserved for field trips. 1

3 Purpose and Objectives This conference will not only facilitate networking internationally but will also provide various stakeholders with opportunities to initiate and strengthen communication to better our service delivery. The conference is expected to culminate in the formation of a tactical document that will address areas of strategic importance - and standards - both at a national and Pan African scale. Focus Areas What is the current state of Cemeteries in major African cities? What is being done to mitigate challenges relating to land availability? Are solutions for long term sustainability being implemented? How do Cemetery and Crematoria services engage with Environmental, Conservation and Recreational services and benchmarking international practices? How does HIV/Aids and other communicable diseases contribute to the escalation of burials, which leads to the shortage of land and what is the contribution of the (Cemetery and Crematoria) services in the spread of the pandemic? What is the service s response to the scarcity of land and in comparison to other competing factors and what are the marketing implications of alternatives to various ethnic groups? What role and contribution does the service play in the lives of the various communities and what is the level of its importance in the heart of the communities? How does the service customer requirements with regards to cultural practices and other circumstance such as overcrowding as well as the criminal element in the Cemeteries? What is the macro-economic impact of burials viz. cremations - developing financial strategy to balance developmental expenditure with a strategy to grow income? How is the demand for burial space being incorporated in development planning 2

4 Sub-Themes for Presentation Anthropology Environmental sciences Latest technology in burial/cremation Sociology Sustainable Development Landscape Planning Horticulture Religious Studies Town Planning Microbiology Geology Presenters Presenters who are leaders in their field and have served as advisor to their authorities have been identified from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, South Africa, China and the United Kingdom. Target Audience Government (International, South African national, provincial and local) Municipal Managers Mayors Councillors Cemetery Managers Academics Tertiary Institutions Law Enforcement Agencies Religious Community Funeral Undertakers and Monumentalists Community Representatives Professional bodies Scientific and Research community 3

5 Pan African Cemeteries & Crematoria Conference Sunday, 27 August To Wednesday, 30 August 2017, Durban ICC, South Africa Registration Form Cost Title Name Surname Designation Organisation / City / Institution Address/Country Paid up 2017 Members : R Non Members : R Telephone Cell Dietary requirements Banking Details None Vegetarian Halaal Other Deposit / Electronic Transfer / Direct Deposit Details FNB Bank, North Rand Road Branch Account Number: Branch Code: / EFT Please send your completed registration form to Nisha, admin@sa-cca.org.za, Phone: / Fax: / Cell: by the 7th August 2017 Suggested hotels within a 1.5km radius of the ICC Hilton Hotel The Suncoast Towers Elangeni Hotel Maharani Hotel Protea Hotel Edward Parade Hotel The Royal Hotel Gooderson Beach Hotel Blue Waters Hotel Gooderson Tropica Hotel Coastlands Musgrave Hotel Pavilion Hotel South African Cemeteries Association is a non-profit organisation Reg and is not VAT registered 4