A grieving father, Njabulo Ziqubu, is demanding answers and justice after the heartbreaking death of his 22-month-old daughter, Amandla, at an unregistered daycare in Goodwood, Cape Town. The toddler died last week under circumstances that have left her family devastated and the community in shock.
A Tragic Day That Changed Everything
Amandla had been attending Little Innocence Day Care Centre for only eight days when tragedy struck. According to her father, she was her usual cheerful self on the morning of her death. “She was full of life when I dropped her off. We had a happy morning singing and counting. She was a very intelligent child,” Ziqubu recalled.
However, later that day, Amandla was reportedly given noodles at the daycare despite always bringing her own food from home. After nap time, she was found unresponsive. Staff did not immediately call for medical help, and when Ziqubu arrived following a panicked call from his partner, he found teachers crying outside while parents rushed to fetch their children. Inside, his worst nightmare unfolded—his little girl lay motionless on a stranger’s lap.
“I took her and reminded her we were going to watch her favourite show, Cocomelon. But she didn’t respond. My heart broke into pieces,” he said.
Ziqubu carried Amandla to his car, rushing her to the hospital with the assistance of police officers. Sadly, doctors confirmed she had already passed away.
Questions Surrounding Daycare Operations
What has compounded the family’s grief is the revelation that Little Innocence Day Care Centre was operating illegally without registration as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility. The centre has since stopped taking new admissions but continues to care for children whose parents had already paid for the month.
Adding to the controversy, Ziqubu discovered that the person who attempted to resuscitate his daughter was not a qualified first aider but the principal’s husband, who works as a security guard. “She was only there for eight days. I have so many questions. Why did they give her food when she always had her own lunch? Why was there no proper medical assistance? I want justice for my child,” he said.
The Daycare’s Response
Creche principal, Odette Innocentio, expressed condolences to the family but admitted the centre was not formally registered. She claimed that documents had been submitted during the Covid-19 period but were never processed.
“We are all in shock. We’ve never experienced anything like this before. On that day, the child didn’t want her own snack, so we gave her noodles. We don’t buy from spaza shops, and I always check expiry dates. I sympathise with the parents and also want answers,” Innocentio explained.
Authorities Step In
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that the daycare is not registered, nor are there pending applications in process. Officials have now launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Amandla’s death and the centre’s unlawful operations.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg also confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened by Goodwood police. No arrests have been made at this stage.
A Family’s Plea for Justice
As Ziqubu prepares to lay his daughter to rest in KwaZulu-Natal, he continues to call for accountability. “It’s a pain you cannot describe as a parent. All you know is that it hurts so much. Right now, all I want is justice for Amandla,” he said.
For the family, the unanswered questions remain as heavy as their grief, while the community waits to see whether justice will be served for the little girl whose life ended far too soon.
