40 years after four Chatsworth family members died from poisoning, Reshma Subramoney tells her story

In 1986, four members of Reshma Subramoney's family succumbed to poisoning after consuming a highly concentrated vitamin D preparation mixed with peanut oil at their home in Woodhurst, Chatsworth. The tragedy also claimed the life of their helper, Cynthia, who had been supplied the toxic substance by a sailor who frequented her father's take-away near the Durban Harbour. The sailor had purchased the oil from a Dutch cargo ship that had been robbed in the Durban Harbour.

Subramoney, then eight years old, endured a harrowing journey of grief, survival, and healing for four decades. Her book, titled 'The Lighthouse in Me', recounts the tale of her family's pain and resilience. She vividly remembers the last moments with her mother, who slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness. The doctors were astounded by the severity of the poisoning, which was caused by a Vitamin D content of two million units per milligram, far exceeding the safe dosage of 100 units.

Subramoney's father was led to believe that the substance was cooking oil, as it appeared and smelled similar. Her mother used it to prepare meals, leading to the ingestion of the toxic oil by several family members, including her grandmother, aunt, and sister. The family was quarantined, and tests revealed the cause of their illness.

Despite losing their home and business due to the tragedy, Subramoney managed to rebuild her life, becoming a mental health advocate and turning her pain into her power. Her story serves as a testament to her resilience and the strength of the human spirit.