Orlando Pirates chairman, Dr. Irvin Khoza, has reiterated that the local football fraternity shall never again witness any tragedy like the one that happened at Ellis Park Stadium in 2001.
Read: Remembering 43 Victims Of Ellis Park Stadium Disaster
Today, 11 April 2016, marks 15 years since the South African football fraternity witnessed the death of 43 people during a match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs and Khoza has taken to his club's official website to remember the departed.
"Today marks the 15th year since this football loving nation witnessed its worst sporting disaster. On this day fifteen years ago 43 lives were lost during a match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. The events of the Ellis Park disaster of April 11, 2001 have taught our country a great lesson around public safety and security and risk management," Pirates' website stated.
"Fifteen years on, we look back and say never again; shall we experience such a low moment in our industry. It is with this mentality that we take extra precautions in planning for all our matches. The findings of the Ngoepe Commission have seen all stadiums, security service providers, and the municipalities work together to protect the lives of spectators attending events countrywide."
"History loses meaning when it fails to help us learn and take precautions going forward," said Club Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza.
He added: "People always say that what happened in 1994 - a free and democratic South Africa was a miracle. I say it was not a miracle, it happened because of the mental capabilities of South Africans.
"Following the Ellis Park disaster in 2001, we are now witnessing South Africans take on another so-called miracle. Nowhere in the world will you see supporters of two rival clubs sitting together. However, here in South Africa our supporters continue to buck this senseless trend and out of their own initiative decided now 'we will go to derbies and sit together'. Now people go to matches in the same car and support different teams as friends or family. The Ellis Park disaster for me will forever be celebrated by the wish that supporters made of their own volition to sit with each other
"Kaizer Motaung and myself understand the meaning of coopetition – we compete for 90 minutes but we cooperate afterwards," he concluded.
WeShallNeverForget
Madikana Samuel Selepe, 39, Diepsloot, Johannes Mandla Mthembu, 36, Palm Springs, Vaal, Johannes Motlasi Letsoara, 35, Potchefstroom, Sphiwa Esrome Mpungose, 13, Burgersdale, West Rand, Ivan Jeffrey Bezuidenhout, 39, Potchefstroom, Mbulelo Diniso, 25, Orlando East
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, Pietersburg, 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, 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, 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
