The Ellis Park Stadium Disaster on April 11, 2001, will forever leave an indelible mark on the South African football landscape after 43 fans lost their lives that day while the Soweto Derby between arch-rivals Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates was in progress.
April 11 marked the 20th anniversary, and many families will remember loved ones who perished in the stampede that broke out when thousands of fans outside Ellis Park tried to gain entry. At the time, the existing entry points at the 60 000-seater could not cope with the sudden surge of fans arriving late.
Just after spectators inside roared with delight after a goal was scored, the panic heightened, and people were crushed to death as fans steamrolled their way into the stadium.
The depth and magnitude of the catastrophe of the greatest tragedy in South African sport was not lost on sports authorities, including football’s world controlling body Fifa.
On the domestic front, South Africa’s national football body Safa helped to set up a judicial commission of inquiry, headed by Justice BM Ngoepe.
Once the commission had run its course, there was a mine of information that Safa president Danny Jordaan says provides the basis for convening sports events in the country today.
On Sunday, Jordaan also reflected on the Accra Sport Stadium disaster in Accra, Ghana, on May 9, 2001, in which 126 people died. He said the year 2001 was a tragic year for African football.
These tragedies brought into focus the key elements that are paramount at modern football events. Every seated fan must have an unobstructed view of the action, and seats must be marked.
This ensures that if fans arrive late, they will have access to a seat that corresponds with the ticket in their possession. These are just some of the measures which are now in place to prevent disaster in the future.
The anniversary of that fateful night is observed with every passing year. Football organisations pay their respects to the victims’ families.
One of South Africa's famous football sons, Kaizer Motaung, led the chorus on Sunday when he sympathised with bereaved families.
He referred to the event as a “very dark day for South African football”.
The Star