Ellis Park 43 Remembered – iDiski Times

On the anniversary of the Ellis Park tragedy, both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have paid tribute to the 43 football supporters who lost their lives during the Soweto derby played at Ellis Park in 2001.

It was a dark day in South African football history, and 21 years later both clubs have reflected on the tragedy.

“It is truly a day that remains in our hearts,” Marketing and Commercial Director Jessica Motaung told the Kaizer Chiefs website.

“While we reflect on the day, we continue to convey our condolences to the families of those who perished in the disaster. We have tried to honour their legacy – and those from the 1991 Orkney tragedy – by heeding the bitter lessons we learned in our quest to avoid the recurrence of anything of that nature.”

“It was heart-warming to see some fans on the eve of the 21^st commemoration of the Ellis Park disaster back on the stands after such a long period. The journey has not only been tough, but it gave us an opportunity to learn and appreciate the role played by supporters.

“The game really struggled without the fans and their absence showed how important they are to football, and sport in general. It is therefore incumbent on us to ensure that they are safe when they attend matches. We also call upon supporters to adhere to all the security protocols to avoid any unwanted events that may occur due to non-compliance with the security regulations.”

“As we prepare to have supporters back in the stadium this coming Saturday, we remember all those who lost their lives on 11 April 2001.

“This morning at the Kaizer Chiefs Village the Club staff and players will observe a moment of silence in remembrance of those who left us that fateful day. We will continue to pray for the healing of those who lost their loved ones and let them know that we shall never forget.”

☠️ We shall never forget.#EllisPark43
⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates #OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/j2UE9VBnxF

— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) April 11, 2022