On March 24, 2000, 13 children died and an additional 100 were injured in the stampede tragedy which occurred in Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal at the Throb nightclub.

The Tragedy

There were 600 children, aged between 11 to 17, at the club who were celebrating the last day of the school term. What caused the disaster was the detonation of a teargas canister which led to panic among the students.

The youngest victim of the disaster was just 11-years-old. On the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, we remember all the children who lost their young lives too soon.

Remembering the Victims

Jadeine Mohunlal - 11

Guresha Naidoo - 15

Prean Govindsamy - 15

Junaid Gaffoor - 18

Leeosha Sowrimuthu - 14

Nolan Pillay - 17

Preston Premsingh - 13

Sumaya Jhetam - 13

Chantal Maduray - 16

Vaneshree Pillay - 16

Rory Soobramoney - 15

Sumeshan Govender - 12

Sumaya Kudoos - 16

Mandela's Intervention

In the aftermath, the father of the nation, Nelson Mandela, stepped in to help the community's youth, launching activities and establishing the Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre in Chatsworth.

He advised the grieving families that they might turn the sorrow into an opportunity to succeed. Mandela asked the Chatsworth community to band together for their own good and to avoid such a catastrophe from happening again.

Legacy and Justice

"Young people, I want you to take the future into your own hands. I want young people who will show determination and a high level of performance. Those are the people I will always support," Mandela said.

The youth centre is still a light of hope, helping youngsters to live meaningful lives.

Siva Chetty along with Selvan 'Dogman' Naidoo and Vincent Pillay, were captured shortly after the disaster and arrested in connection with the tragedy.

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25 years of grief | Remembering the 13 children of Chatsworth's Throb nightclub tragedy