Durban - It was an atmosphere of anguish and pain as the short lives of eight boys who died in a fire two weeks ago took centre stage at a memorial service at Rivers Church in Durban North on Saturday.
The boys, aged 8 to 21, died when a fire broke out while they were sleeping at Lakehaven Child and Youth Care Centre in Sea Cow Lake.
Eight bouquets and candles lined the stage and tears flowed as friends, teachers, mentors and officials remembered them.
Child Welfare Durban District executive director, Shehnaaz Gabru, could not hold back the tears as she spoke of the pain of losing “her children”.
“I knew each of these boys personally. I saw them on the day, I knew what their plans were, why they were there, it’s painful.
“They were children in difficult circumstances, placed away from their families, and then to be taken away like this, it’s difficult for everyone,” she said.
Child Welfare SA National Executive director, Peter John Cloete, comforted mourners. “Despite the horrific way in which the children died, their lives were surrounded by love at Lakehaven.”
Moving poems and songs celebrated the young lives.
Emman Ohomedi from Palmiet Primary School in Clare Estate, described his best friend Sbongiseni Nxumalo as caring and trustworthy. He had empathy for others, but left without saying goodbye.
“He was a nice friend and a brother. He gave me no hint that I was not going to see him after June holidays,” he said.
Classmate and friend of Grade 9 pupil, Sfundo Ndlovu, from Lakehaven Secondary School, Sabelo Khuzwayo shared his pain. “It is heartbreaking and painful when I mark the register and I read out his name, only to realise he has left us,” he said.
Pastor John Jennings paid tribute to the boys, he referred to them as close friends. “Losing the children was tragic. I shared memories with each one of them. I pray that their families heal.”
The family of Fikisani Chala, a Grade 2 pupil at Parlock Primary School, was inconsolable as Pastor Jennings paid tribute to the 8-year-old. Jennings described Chala as a humble and respectful boy who loved soccer and had dreams of becoming a lawyer.
uMhlanga Fire Station Commander, Bheki Hadebe, who led a 12-member team that doused the raging fire on that morning, described the scene. “Beds and other items had burnt beyond recognition, the area was covered with ash.”
The fire department as well as the police have yet to determine the cause of the fire.
The families await DNA tests to identify the remains before they can bury their loved ones.
The dead boys are: Minenhle Ngcobo, 20, from Ndwedwe; Sbongiseni Nxumalo, 18, from KwaDukuza; John Shusha, 17, from Durban; Sfundo Ndlovu, 17, from Pietermaritzburg; Ajesh Gangarpershad, 9, from Durban; Gabriel Mbambo, 11, from Pinetown; Fikisani Chala, 8, from Durban; and Sandile Duma, 8, from Durban.
Sunday Tribune