EllIS PARk STADIUM TRAGEDY COMMEMORATED!

As Tuesday, 11 April 2023, marks exactly 22 years since the Ellis Park tragedy, where 43 football fans lost their lives including many others injured in a stampede.

The incident was triggered by huge crowds at a league match between traditional rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) joined South Africans in honouring their memory and those affected by the tragedy. SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said the loss of so many lives remains a painful experience and should never happen again.

“We convey our deepest condolences to the families,” the SAFA President said.

“It is now 22 years later. The stadiums are not meant for people to die, it is an arena for celebration and joy, not for death. Their spirit remains with us and we remember them together with members of their families,” he continued.

The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 but eyewitnesses said on the day there were many thousands more inside the ground, estimated to be double the limit the facility can handle. The Ellis Park Stadium incident is the worst sporting accident in South African history.

The final inquiry into the incident concluded that a major cause was bribed security personnel admitting fans without tickets into the stadium and poor crowd control.

Kaizer Chiefs also took to social media to share their condolences to the families of 2001 tragedy. The team also took a moment of silence during training in Naturena in remembrance.

“To the 43 football loving fans that never made it home that night, we will never forget you! May your souls continue to rest in peace,” the club tweeted.

Orlando Pirates also shared a heartfelt video in commemoration on their social media, showing all the names of the late spectators.