Ellis Park Soweto Derby survivor reflects 24 years on from disaster

It was on that day that 43 football lovers – men, women, and even children – were tragically killed in a stampede at Ellis Park Stadium, where they were supposed to cheer for their favourite team.

Van Wyk, who was eight years old at the time, detailed the scene to SABC Sport that, to this day, he can never unsee.

"It was an horrific day. One of the most vivid memories for me was when I was outside, and there was a security guard at the fence," recalled van Wyk.

"The crowd was behind the fence and they pushed it, and it landed on the security guard. I was in a police car, crying the whole time because my uncle had left me there to go look for the people we came with."

Now into his 30s, he added that one of the things he remembers that day was seeing someone fall from several floors up – probably to their death. 

In the midst of the chaos that ensued after the match was halted around 34 minutes, the group that van Wyk was with had lost each other, uncertain whether they were still alive, injured, or had found a safe spot to wait for help. 

"I don't know how they kept safe because we got split up in the chaos of it all. I ended up with just my uncle. My dad was by himself, and his friends and their kids were all together. Luckily everyone that I went with did eventually survive," he said.

"I was terrified of going back to Ellis Park Stadium for a long time, but eventually I did go. I was super scared that day [of returning]. It was a Bafana Bafana game against Egypt, I think. 

"I probably got over the trauma by going back to the stadium, but I didn't receive any therapy for it per se."

Van Wyk went on to become a sports presenter and now works for 5FM, having to report on the events of that day every year on the anniversary of that tragedy on national radio. 

"I'm super grateful to still be alive, that I can watch more football games at the stadium. I'm a huge football fan and love to go to the stadium specifically for the Soweto derby. 

"I'm a huge Orlando Pirates fan, and I also enjoy playing football because I play five-a-side. So, to be alive after what happened is actually incredible. 

"At 8 years old, to be in a situation like that and survive, I remember being squeezed at some point. Squeezed so hard that it was difficult to breathe at some point," he concluded.

The Ellis Park disaster is recorded as the worst sporting accident in the history of South Africa – the 60 000 capacity venue had allegedly swallowed in excess of 100 000 spectators at some point.

READ: Riveiro holds back emotions as Orlando Pirates journey nears end