Update
KNYSNA NEWS - After lying in a state of neglect for a long time, the final resting place of George Rex is now looking much better, thanks to the efforts of the Knysna Historical Society and Knysna Municipality.
In September 2019, KPH reported on the grave situation concerning the final resting place of George Rex, the man that many believe to be the founder of Knysna.
The graves of George Rex Senior, George Rex Junior and Jessie Rex were all overgrown, as was the majority of the site itself, and litter was strewn all around the area.
The perimeter of the site was no better.
Human excrement made it evident that vagrants had started calling the area home, and the fence was vandalised and nowhere near secure.
But, nearly two and a half years on, matters seem to have improved somewhat.
According to the chairman of the Knysna Historical Society (KHS), Phillip Caveney, around April last year the municipality's parks department resumed the duty of keeping the gravesite neat and tidy and made arrangements to repair the broken fence and replace the steel gate.
Though two sections of the perimeter fence are still missing, the area in and around the site is no longer overgrown.
The biggest change, however, is the new headstone at George Rex Snr's grave.
In May 2021, during a routine inspection, the parks department found the old headstone lying in pieces on the ground.
The new, marble tablet which acts as George Rex Snr's headstone.
With permission from the municipality the KHS obtained the pieces for safekeeping and possible restoration.
KHS then did something different for George Rex Snr's headstone. "We decided to proceed with the installation of a 'low-profile' headstone to replace the broken George Rex headstone, which has now been done.
"We are happy with the result," said Caveney.
Repairs are under way on the old headstone. Photo: Knysna Historical Society
"The manufacture of the granite tablet and installation of it into the new concrete headstone was financed solely by donations from members of the Knysna Historical Society."
The new granite tablet was installed into its concrete base at the head of Rex's grave.
"The old 1893 headstone is still under repair but we hope to re-install it in the St George's Churchyard soon, which is unlocked during the working day. Eleven of the twelve pieces of the "jigsaw" have been bonded together," Caveney explained.
The municipality's parks department continues to keep the site clean and tidy.
"For this we are most grateful. Our thanks to Ms Dorothy Potts, responsible for maintenance of the municipal grave sites," said Caveney.
The perimeter fence around the gravesite now features historical plaques too.
The gravesite has been tidied up significantly. Photos: Blake Linder
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