Maponyane: Why are the Ellis Park dead being forgotten?
Today marks 16 years since the Ellis Park disaster in 2001. Amakhosi legend Marks Maponyane feels very disheartened that more respect isn't consistently shown to the victims of the tragedy and their families as the anniversaries pass by.
While it may have been overlooked by some and while others may be too young to remember, the night of April 11 2001 remains etched in the memory as one of the most tragic nights in South African soccer history.
Today marks 16 years since 43 soccer fans lost their lives and 158 were injured in a stampede during a Kaizer Chiefs-Orlando Pirates derby at Ellis Park.
While moving on with their lives, for those affected by the tragedy the hurt won't easily go away.
Aside from a statement on the official Kaizer Chiefs website by club chairman Kaizer Motaung, the anniversary has largely been a very low-key affair.
The PSL finally issued a brief statement late in the afternoon, after time of writing that they would proceed with a minute's silence at the midweek Absa Premiership matches to honour the memory of those that perished.
That followed a polite inquiry much earlier by this journalist. Pirates host Maritzburg United in an Absa Premiership fixture at Orlando Stadium on the anniversary evening.
One cannot even compare this to the commemoration -- without exception -- of the Hillsborough disaster, which took place on 15 April 1989 or even the Munich air disaster on 6 February 1958, which destroyed arguably one of the greatest Manchester United teams in history -- the Busby Babes.
Manchester falls silent every year and wreaths and flowers are still to this day laid at the entrance to Old Trafford. Two generations later, Manchester never forgets it's fallen heroes and a minute's silence -- or more recently respectful, tributary applause -- at matches.
The Hillsborough crush is remembered every year with similar wreath-laying ceremonies and commemoration at stadiums and Anfield is at the centre of tributes as the victims are honoured.
So why does it appear as if in our country, the Ellis Park disaster seems to pass by as just another bad memory in our sporting history?
Jacaranda FM Sports Editor Trevor Cramer spoke to Amakhosi legend Marks Maponyane, who was confronted by the horrors that unfolded on that April night.
Maponyane, who had just been engaged as a soccer analyst following his retirement two years prior to the disaster, was at the match with his 11-year-old son Masego "Maps" Maponyane when all hell broke loose.
"Maps" Maponyane, now 27, is today a very well-known South African television presenter, actor, fashion designer, speaker and model as well as a respected business entrepreneur.
His father Marks recounts how the whole horror unfolded before his eyes at Ellis Park 16 years ago.
Marks feels very disheartened that more respect isn't consistently shown to the victims of the tragedy and their families as the anniversaries pass by.
The football-lovers who lost their lives at Ellis Park:
Madikana Samuel Selepe, 39, Diepsloot
ohannes 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
REST IN PEACE