Stalwarts gather to celebrate soccer heritage
Whitey Jacobs, Colin Gie and Safa Cape Town president Bennet Bailey at last week's Heritage Day celebrations, at Athlone Stadium.
Image: Mark Ward
Mark Ward
Unity in Western Cape football and in South Africa was at the heart of Heritage Day celebrations at the Athlone Stadium, last Wednesday, where former players, administrators, and officials gathered to reflect on the game’s turbulent past and its role in shaping the future.
Haroon Mohammed, general secretary of the Western Cape Football Federation Legends, said the day was more than just a reunion.
“It took a hundred years to unite racially divided football associations, and another thirty years to bring everyone into one room to celebrate this legacy,” he said.
Stevie Willams and Dot Borman were among those who gathered at Athlone Stadium to celebrate Cape soccer legacy.
Image: Mark Ward
The event brought together stalwarts of the now-defunct Western Province Football Association (WPFA), the Western Province Football Board (WPFB), and the Western Cape Soccer Association (WCFA). These structures were once aligned to rival national bodies, the Football Association of South Africa (Fasa), South Africa Football Federation (Safed), and the South African National Football Association (Sanfa), until unification was finally achieved in December 1991.
During apartheid, the sport mirrored the country’s racial divisions, yet it also became an arena of resistance. The unification of football in the early 1990s helped to shape the democratic sporting landscape the country knows today.
For many in attendance, the gathering acknowledged the sacrifices made by players and administrators who kept the game alive in an era of enforced segregation.
Goalkeeper coach and former professional, Farouk Abrahams and Colin Gie reconnect at last week's Heritage Day celebrations, at Athlone Stadium.
Image: Mark Ward
Hosted by Safa Cape Town, the Masters and Legends Heritage Day Celebration paid tribute to the players who drew crowds to township fields and administrators who steered the sport through difficult times.
Safa Cape Town president Bennet Bailey called the occasion historic.
“For the first time since unification, the three bodies that shaped football at grassroots level have come together under one roof at the home of football,” Bailey said.
“After 33 years, we can proudly say we march forward to honour the clubs, individuals, and referees who carried the game through tough times.”
He confirmed the event would become an annual fixture, pledging that those who felt overlooked this year would be recognised in future editions.
Sammy Ceto and Adeeb Abrahams were among those who gathered at Athlone Stadium last week.
Image: Mark Ward
“Let us celebrate our heritage with pride, unity, and dignity. This Athlone Stadium event is both a remembrance and a celebration. It's proof that football remains a common denominator in South African life, preserving history, culture, and above all, unity,” he added.
Whitey Jacobs, chair of the Heritage Education and Research Project, urged protection of historic venues such as Athlone Stadium..
“These stadiums stand as symbols of our struggles. Too many others are already been left in ruins,” he warned.
From left are Achmat Salie, Graham Lawrence, Bennet Bailey, Boebie Solomons and former referee, Trevor Christians.
Image: Mark Ward
Colin Gie, a mentor to former Manchester United and Bafana Bafana star Quinton Fortune, offered a personal reflection.
“I stood outside and looked across towards the flats where Quinton once lived. Football gave him a great opportunity, but what I treasure most are the friendships it created. That is the true legacy,” Gie said.
For Mohammed, Gie, and others, the day was about ensuring that football’s history inspires many.
“This gathering is proof that football always has had the power to unite people, regardless of background. Our legends are the carriers of that story,” Mohammed said.