Soccer City site is historic anti-apartheid venue
Built on the edge of Soweto, Soccer City stadium will be the grand stage for Sunday's World Cup final. For many South Africans, though, the site has been hallowed ground for two decades — not because of sports, but as a historic venue in the anti-apartheid struggle.
In October 1989, with apartheid still in force, Soccer City's precursor stadium hosted an electrifying rally at which more than 70,000 blacks greeted newly freed leaders of the still-outlawed African National Congress. The group included most of the ANC's long-imprisoned hierarchy except Nelson Mandela.
It was the largest anti-government rally in South African history — but the record was short-lived....
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In October 1989, with apartheid still in force, Soccer City's precursor stadium hosted an electrifying rally at which more than 70,000 blacks greeted newly freed leaders of the still-outlawed African National Congress. The group included most of the ANC's long-imprisoned hierarchy except Nelson Mandela.
It was the largest anti-government rally in South African history — but the record was short-lived....