Ellis Park disaster memorial
Ellis Park disaster memorial

Posted in News on Apr 12, 2005.

On Monday, 11 April 2005 the football fraternity was gripped with the memories of that fateful night 4 years ago when 43 Chiefs and Pirates fans lost their lives in a stampede.



A memorial service was held at gate 4 of the Ellis Park stadium where speakers including Chairman of the Premier Soccer League, Dr. Irvin Khoza and general Manager of Ellis Park stadium, George Stainton called for more peace and God’s favour on the families of those lost in 2001.



Pastor Cliff Nhlapo of the Seventh day Adventist church opened the service with a word of prayer and offered a soul moving closing prayer as well, while the Methodist church Reverend Vukile Mehana preached a touching message pointing to the Lord Jesus being the truth, the way and the light much to the delight of those present.



There were a few of the 43 family members represented, players of both Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, Mr. Leepile Taunyane, life president of the National Soccer League (NSL) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL), and a number of representatives of commercial partners in football.



All thanks goes to the supporters that attended the memorial service not only of both teams Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs but some from Ajax Cape Town and Moroka Swallows.



There are bigger plans for the 5th commemoration of this day next year 11 April 2005.



The organising committee will soon begin the planning stages of what will be viewed as a massive memorial service.

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