T - Department of Defence

ook reviewS A S O L D I E RA memoir, Phokeng to Medunsato Ellis ParkBy Cpl Ally RakomaPhoto: S Sgt Lebogang TlhaoleCapt (Dr) Zakes Kagiso Motene,a medical practitioner at 1Military Hospital in Pretoria,achieved a milestone when helaunched a book titled "TheJourney" at the SA ArmyFoundation Head Office inClubview on 11 April 2011. The booktells the story of South African soccer'sworst sporting disaster, the death of 43soccer fans who died in the Ellis ParkStadium ten years ago in a stampede on11 April 2001, when Kaizer Chiefs tookon Orlando Pirates in the popularSoweto derby.Introducing the book Capt (Dr) Motenesaid that the book was a memorial andheartfelt tribute to the 43 soccer fans wholost their lives. On this day fathers, mothers,brothers, sisters and children fromGauteng and the various provinces ofour country shared their passion for soccerwhen they viewed the game betweenKaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.Capt (Dr) Motene described his experienceinside the tunnel at the stadiumduring the stampede. He said a man anda woman were pressed against his chestand he struggled to breathe as theymade their way through the tunnel -many people had forced him to face theexit against the oncoming mass. Heexplained: "At the time I was a final-yearmedical student at Medunsa. Thewoman took her final breath as I waslooking into her eyes and I saw her lookingat me, probably asking me for help. Itried to wriggle my hands out to helpher, but I could not and that pierced meright to the core. I saw her roll her eyes; Ibasically watched her die. A few minuteslater, the man who was pushed upagainst me died too."After the match was stopped and helpcame, he realised he could move, and gotto work helping to stabilise the victimsand taking the injured to waiting ambulancesand performing CPR.Reading equips one with the skill and confidence toparticipate meaningfully in community life.He said: "The story ofthat awful night is atragedy. What shouldhave been a night ofjoy and laughterturned out to be thecountry's worst sportingdisaster. It affected43 families. This is thestory I felt that I owethe South Africannation."In the years that havefollowed the tragedy,he has suffered frompost-traumatic stressdisorder and survivor'sguilt, as seven peoplewho were trappedaround him lost theirlives. Since the incidenthe has found it toughto talk about it anddecided to write thebook, which waspublished last year.Maj Gen KeithMokoape, the General Manager of the SAArmy Foundation, congratulated Capt(Dr) Motene and said that The Journeywas a collectable book that had requiredintense dedication and hard work. Thecontent reflects the success story of Capt(Dr) Motene from his humble beginnings.Maj Gen Mokoape added that it is also anamazing account of history through ayoung man's eyes and a celebration of ayoung life, a call to activism and most ofall a call for professionals to rise up andtake their rightful place in society as positiverole models, particularly to theyouth.Mr Angel Ramphele, the MarketingDirector of the SA Army Foundation,said that the objectives set by Capt (Dr)Motene were a cause for celebration. MrMaj Gen Keith Mokoape, the GeneralManager of the SA Army Foundation (middle),congratulates Capt (Dr) Zakes Kagiso Motene(left), the author of "The Journey", for a jobwell done in launching his book, while MrAngel Ramphele, the Marketing Director of theSA Army Foundation, looks on.Ramphele said: "Today he has showcasedhis work; the SA ArmyFoundation wants to expose membersof the SANDF, young and old, to informationthrough reading the book as acatalyst for growth."He said: "We encourage members tostart reading clubs at their units.Reading equips one with the skill andconfidence to participate meaningfullyin community life and the SA ArmyFoundation is taking a step towardspromote literacy among members of theSANDF and Public Service ActPersonnel."* The book can be purchased at ExclusiveBooks in Brooklyn (Pretoria) @ R180.00per copy.J U N E 2 0 1 1 • s47