Mokoena was only 12 years old at the time of the massacre in 1992. His family had to think quickly to save him.

"My mother dressed me in my sister's clothes and we hid at the Boipatong community hall. It was very sad and I only realised just how bad the following day," Mokoena said on Friday, on the 19th anniversary of the massacre.

Forty-five people were killed when Kwa-Madala hostel residents went on a rampage.

"I am glad that my family survived and I didn't lose any friends. The reason my mother dressed me in my sister's clothes was that young boys were being targeted.

"The following day we saw people coming back from work crying. That was when we realised just how serious the situation was. So it is important for young people, especially, not to forget this day," he said.

Sedibeng district municipality mayor Mahole Mofokeng recalled that fateful night.

"People were attacked and those who survived were maimed. The following day Winnie Mandela came. Later on Chris Hani also came.

"Later that afternoon FW de Klerk also came. His vehicle was stoned and it's a good thing that the police were there because it could have been worse.

"We are not victims, but rather survivors. We must create opportunities for young people to make a living for themselves," he said.

Mokoena and members of the Sedibeng municipality handed out blankets to the elderly at the stadium.

"The municipality, together with the Aaron Mokoena Foundation, donated blankets to the elderly.

"I will also give needy children at my former school, Makapane Primary, uniforms," he said.

Comments

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Fri May 24 10:10:11 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 20, 2011

Baba_T

1st: Sowetan this is a old story why you reprinting this?
Trying to shine some light on Mbazo?
Get over it.

2nd: Mbazo is the most capped player of Bafana who got nothing to show for it.

the truth is Mbazo was the most useless Captain to ever be appointed to Bafana and we paid the price. not to menton the goal he coused us @ the world cup when he ducked the ball..

What captain (last line of defence) ducks the ball??

Sorry but i dont see where "great soccer player" fits you...


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Jun 20, 2011

BHULEHHHHHHHH

True that boss and uyinkomo and nenkomo can do much or far better than him
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Jun 20, 2011

KimiRaikonnen

Dankie Baba-T

And anyway who cares? Mbazonyana o re jisitse ka World Cup.

Finish and Klaar.
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Jun 20, 2011

V-tality

Mbazo a great player?? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahhahahha
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Jun 20, 2011

Sefolo

This article is not abt Mokoena's football heroics but rather abt a selfless sport personality who is trying to make the lives of the poor and elderly a bit easy....Why cant u be relevant for a change

As for u guys calling him inkomo....i guess u qualify to become the coaches of Pirates and Chiefs at the upcoming Black label cup.......that the guy had a bad world cup doesnt make him a bad player overnite...Mbazo is and will remain one of our best footballers since readmission to Fifa

Some of ur favourite players CV's leave alot to be desired.....check Mbazo CV and ask urself what makes u guys think that u can spot talent much better than the guys at Ajax Amsterdam,Genk in Belgium(stand to be corrected),Blackburn and Portsmouth.
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Jun 20, 2011

BraMbo

Well done Mr Mayor & co. It will be appreciated if such events can be held in line with the 67 minutes of community work by the Mandela Foundation initiative. Example, those of us that work contribute monies to a Sedibeng Mayor Massacre (Sharpville, Sebokeng,Boipatong,etc.) Fund specifically targeted at assisting all poverty stricken households or community. This may be followed by other volunteer initiatives that promote ubuntu, e.g donation of clothes to the poor. Most of us have clothes that are still in good condition but no longer fit us, such clothing may be donated to the needy.
The current initiatives make us feel like spectators without knowing where to assist.
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Jun 20, 2011

TrippleXXX

If Mbazo is not a good player, why did he spent so many years in Europe not warming the bench but playing every week?

If I can recall, he plays as a central mid-field for his club hence for BB he was playing as a central defender.

In football you need disclipline and dedication, talent is not everything.
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Jun 20, 2011

Vunene04

Mbazo s' reign is long overdue, this is about boipatong and not mbazo.. i remember the very well how he duck that ball and he was the last man on the defence, he gave south africans a shock of their lives. i haven't forgiven him for that!!!! he was just the most useless captain in our team who just wasted our time, and costed us a lot.

So Sowetan you are not doing a very good job triying to promote him...yerrrrr man...you make me angry
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Jun 20, 2011

2virgins

Last time i checked Teko Modise and Simphiwe Tshabalala were playing in the PSL at the age of 28 years. Mbazo left SA at the age of 18 years. if you people think Mbazo yinkomo then ask yourselves what are you. I think you are goats because you think players who do shibobos are the best players who never get contract anywhere, even India.
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Jun 20, 2011

Sekwanele

Viva Arron Mokoena for ANCYL President!!! You'll have my vote baba!
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