Joy as children’s home rebuilt after tragedy
ALMOST two years after eight boys were killed in a fire, which gutted a cottage at the Lakehaven Child and Youth Care Centre, hope was restored yesterday when a new home was unveiled.
A memorial garden for those who died in the 2016 inferno was also opened at the centre in Sea Cow Lake.
The cottage and the garden of remembrance were sponsored by the Sibaya Community Trust. The cottage was unveiled by King Goodwill Zwelithini, Kwazulu-natal Premier Willies Mchunu, MEC for Social Development Weziwe Thusi, businessman Vivian Reddy and Judge Vuka Tshabalala.
The new cottage will be home to 15 abused, neglected and abandoned children.
“I will never forget that day in 2016 when the fire happened. I rushed to Lakehaven to find eight small bodies lying on the ground. It was difficult to explain to family members how children had lost their lives in the one place that they were meant to be protected,” said Thusi at the event.
She said her department would ensure that such an incident wouldn’t take place again.
Emma, Liam top baby names
EMMA and Liam were the most frequently chosen baby names for 2017.
For the fourth year in a row, Emma was the top girl’s name according to the list of the most popular baby names released by the US social security administration. Liam pushed last year’s champion, Noah, to second to claim the top spot.
Emma was followed by Olivia, Ava, Isabella and Sophia. Liam and Noah were followed by William, James and Logan. – AP/ANA Social workers were trained to do thorough checks when visiting homes, including checking for fire extinguishers, she said.
Reddy said the news of the deaths of the eight children had shocked the country. “We were called on to be part of the restoration story of the home. Trustees of the Sibaya Community Trust pledged to rebuild the cottage and create a reflective space where the community of Lakehaven could remember the children. They were precious flowers that were lost on the tragic evening.”
Mchunu said: “The deaths the eight vulnerable children of at Lakehaven reminds of our failure to take care of the young. We should remember that the success and prosperity of our country depends on the education, health and skills of our children. No child must go to bed hungry.”
King Zwelithini praised Reddy and the Sibaya Community Trust. He also called on more businesses to get involved in helping build their communities.
Rajan Pillay, chairperson of the Durban and District Child Welfare, said the organisation had not received the fire report into the incident, but was told the cause was accidental.