It’s a death toll that, unfortunately, continues to rise, and has since 2020.
To many, the numbers are just that – numbers. But every single one of those numbers represents a loved one lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To honour all those who have passed away during this time, and to show their support to all those who are grieving, hundreds of Union learners and staff gathered outside the Union Preparatory School in Plasket Street throughout the day on Friday, 20 August, to tie a ribbon to the school’s front fence as part of Union Preparatory School’s Ribbons for Remembrance installation.
Each colourful ribbon represents the life of a loved one lost during this time, with many of those ribbons bearing the names of loved ones who have died.
“A lot of what happened in the last year, with all the people that have passed away, was incredibly difficult to bear for the community of Graaff-Reinet. There were no funerals and there were no visitations, or, if there were, they were very limited,” commented Mrs Belinda Botha, principal of Union Preparatory School. “We hope that this remembrance installation will give families and friends a chance to come together and remember together.”
