Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs have commemorated the 43 lives lost at the tragic Ellis Park disaster 21 years ago in 2001.
They say time heals all wounds yet the events of the night of Wednesday, April 11, 2001, at Ellis Park when 43 people died remain fresh 21 years later as the country marks what is now known as the Ellis Park disaster.
A Soweto derby tie between the title-chasing duo of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates played in midweek at the Doornfontein venue on the shoulders of the Johannesburg CBD brought tragedy following a stampede.
Pirates went to finish as the 2000/01 league champions, but that title was overshadowed by events of that Wednesday night which left a black spot on the domestic game.
"It is truly a day that remains in our hearts," says Jessica Motaung, the Chiefs Marketing, and Commercial director in a club statement.
"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," says Motaung ahead of a period in which domestic football is welcoming fans back after a covid-19 enforced two-year absence.
"It was heart-warming to see some fans on the eve of the 21st 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 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 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," says Motaung.