Before the cheers and trophies, South African football walked a dark road of division, sacrifice, and tragedy. This is the untold story of those who paid the ultimate price.
⚽ Introduction
The rise of professional football in South Africa came with heartbreak and loss. The transition from the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) to the National Soccer League (NSL) in 1985 promised a brighter future for the game, but the road there was littered with tragedy. This move was spearheaded by visionary leaders like Kaizer Motaung, Cyril Kobus and Raymond Hack from 1970, who, along with others, sought to create a league free from the corruption and mismanagement that plagued the NPSL. However, the split sparked fierce divisions, bitter rivalries, and unimaginable personal sacrifice.
Cyril Kobus, Kaizer Motaung and Raymond Hack. Photo from Facebook.
1976: The Murder of Ewert “The Lip” Nene
Ewert “The Lip” Nene (1943–1976), visionary co-founder and team manager of Kaizer Chiefs.
Ewert “The Lip” Nene was not just a Kaizer Chiefs co-founder; he was its beating heart. Known for cruising the townships with a megaphone to rally supporters, Nene also brought in stars like Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe.
On 10 August 1976, he travelled to Kwa-Thema to finalise the signing of Nelson “Teenage” Dladla. Hiding the young player under a blanket in his car, Nene tried to leave unnoticed. But a mob discovered them. Nene was chased down and brutally stabbed to death in the street.
“The Lip gave everything for Chiefs—even his life.”
1985: Chaos and Bloodshed at Ellis Park
Ellis Park Stadium, where South African football’s darkest day unfolded before a shocked nation.
The 1985 NPSL–NSL split divided even the mighty Orlando Pirates. In April, two separate Pirates teams arrived at Ellis Park to face Jomo Cosmos—one wearing black, the other white. The confusion was surreal.
Dibaba “China” Hlongwane, a beloved Pirates official, was attacked with knives by a group of men in front of thousands of fans and national TV cameras. Hlongwane fought off the stabbing but was left severely injured. Later that year, he survived a shooting shooting. Over the years, multiple attacks left him severely wounded before he eventually passed away from a gunshot. His murder remain a mystery to this day.
“Live on TV, it was very scary… millions watched the disgraceful dark history of our football.”
Photo of China Hlongwane taken from City Press.
💔 1985: The Shooting of Aaron “Roadblock” Makhathini
Aaron “Roadblock” Makhathini (Swallows), mourned as a hero by fans across the country.
That same painful year, Aaron “Roadblock” Makhathini of Moroka Swallows was murdered returning home from training. His decision to stay loyal to the Swallows faction that wanted to remain in the NPSL possibly made him a target.
The news of Roadblock’s death devastated fans nationwide. Families sat stunned in front of their televisions, some weeping openly.
“It felt as if a family member had died. Roadblock was one of us.”
Narrow Escapes: The Survivors
Jomo Sono, one of the few to escape the violence of the era.
Thankfully, not everyone perished. Jan Malombo Lechaba, who accompanied Nene the day he died, escaped by vaulting a fence and hiding with a family. Jomo Sono shared how Nene once evaded menacing cars that tried to trap him at Sono’s home while attempting to recruit him to join Kaizer Chiefs.
“Many survived this period through the skin of their teeth.”
A Painful Path to Unity
South African football today thrives because of the sacrifices made by these brave figures. The transition brought professionalism but at the darkest of costs. We owe it to Ewert Nene, China Hlongwane, Aaron Makhathini, and many unnamed heroes to remember the human price paid for the beautiful game.
The NSL brought professional structure but left deep scars in the football community.
The following pictures of China Hlongwane were taken during the attack at Ellis Park. Not for sensitive viewers.
