Today, 11 April 2016 marks 15 years since the Ellis Park disaster happened in which 43 football supporters lost their lives during a football match they had come to enjoy.
Today, 11 April 2016 marks 15 years since the Ellis Park disaster happened in which 43 football supporters lost their lives during a football match they had come to enjoy.
On 11 April 2001 during a league encounter between rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, 43 fans lost their lives in a stampede that will haunt us for the rest of our lives.
These were football lovers who had come to enjoy an evening of rivalry football and were unaware of the tragedy that was to unfold.
As the custodians of football, SAFA together with the Premier Soccer League and the entire football family, we need to remember this day and promise that together with other various stakeholders we intend to observe this day in a more historical way.
That way we will be giving a proper commemoration to our departed heroes.
The people who lost their lives on that day:
Deborah Selina Maphanga, 25, Duduza
Thandi Merrium Thabethe, 23, Standerton
Abel Tshabangu, 35, Diepkloof, Soweto
Elias Ngomane, 21, Johannesburg
Nkosana Elliot Hlongwane, 40, Katlehong
Nhlanhla Meshack Zulu, 30, Duduza
Raymond Mfana Gwala, 47, Zamdela
Johannes Motlasi Letsoara, 35, Potchefstroom
Sphiwa Esrome Mpungose, 13, Burgersdale, West Rand
Ivan Jeffrey Bezuidenhout, 39, Potchefstroom
Mbulelo Diniso, 25, Orlando East
Madikana Samuel Selepe, 39, Diepsloot
Johannes Mandla Mthembu, 36, Palm Springs, Vaal
Veleta Eunice Mouton, 26, Windmill Park, East Rand
Rosswin Andre Nation, 11, Ennerdale Pretty
Lephina Phatsisi, 26, Balfour
Jabu Maliyon Mkhize, 33, Delmas
Alpheus Sethlake, 41, Alexandra
Gideon Mudau, 34, Kromdraai, Midrand
Jabulisile Xaba, 25, Berea, Johannesburg
Danny Tigerls, 30, Polokwane
Angelina Mncube, 28, Joubert Park, Johannesburg
Callistus Dumisani Dube, 29, Balfour Park, Johannesburg
Mduduzi Thomo, 27, Jabulani, Soweto
Tsietsi Daniel Wae, 54, Kagiso
Michael Tsolo Nyakane, 41, Orkney
Steven Modise Tshetlo, 42, Delpark, East Rand
Calvin Arnolds, 34, Ennerdale
Lefa James Lefera, Gauteng
Rakgabo Frans Shongoane, 34, Pretoria
Ernest Mandla Moyo, 33, Berea, Johannesburg
John Oupa Mbambata, 34, Delareyville
Senki Jacob Mzizi, 47, Tsakane
Stanley Tshikovhi, Tembisa
Selaala Pae Maloma, Schoononborg
Gugu Majozi, Jabulani, Soweto
Maggie Luthuli, Protea Glen, Soweto
Robert Molako, Atteridgeville
Kenneth Msimango, Thokoza
Frans More, Dobsonville
Jabulane Raymond Baloi, Tembisa
Bafana Isaac Mabuza, Tembisa
Mampo Rinah Ntsoane, Berea, Johannesburg