Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
From apartheid SA to the FA Cup final
Exhibit honours soccer pioneer Johanneson
FORMER soccer player Albert Johanneson’s story of resilience in the face of prejudice is one of a man whose skills on the field catapulted him to stardom and saw him become the first black man to play in an English FA Cup, in 1965.
Now Johanneson’s remarkable life is the focus of an exhibition at the District Six Homecoming Centre over the next month.
Johanneson endured a harsh life under apartheid and again faced injustice and racism in Britain during the 1960s, with many spectators spewing racist insults at him.
Despite his high profile, life after soccer proved tumultuous and Johanneson became an alcoholic, dying of meningitis and heart failure in 1995.
In the run- up to Human Rights Day on Monday, his legacy is being marked with a comic book launch and an exhibition at the centre. The comic is illustrated by Archie Birch.
District Six Museum director Bonita Bennett, commenting on the importance of honouring Johanneson, said the exhibition was to repay him , and to make people aware of the untold stories “of our fallen heroes”.
The exhibition also recognised what Johanneson had to endure as a black man in a white-dominated world. “I think it’s very relevant today, and when this opportunity came to us through a partner we worked with in the UK called Football Unites, Racism Divides, we jumped at the chance.”
The launch is on Monday.
Bennett said the important message for aspirant South African and African athletes was that Johanneson excelled, despite the odds. “There were instances where he was booed off the field, not because of his sporting excellence but rather because of what he looked like.
“It’s very sad how his life ended, not as a celebrated hero which is what he deserved. When I read his story I felt like he was a lonely man fighting this battle with little or no support. One of the lessons we can take from this is the importance of solidarity.”
Former Bafana Bafana cap- tain Lucas Radebe said Johanneson paved the way for South African soccer players, especially overseas. “It was sad how he lived out the rest of his life and that is why this exhibition is very important as it’s part of our history.”
Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Quinton Fortune said he first learnt of Johanneson while strolling through the streets of Manchester.
“I came across a letter on a plaque, written to Johanneson, from someone who had watched him play. The essence of the letter was that the spectator was in awe of Johanneson for never retaliating when he was mocked by other spectators. They dubbed him the ‘Black Flash” because he struck like lighting. It’s an honour to be involved with this history.”
SA Football Association president Norman Arendse said the exhibition and the comic highlighted the tenets of the bill of rights and people’s intrinsic right to dignity. “Under apartheid, disenfranchised back people were denied these rights, like the freedom of movement, but Johanneson’s story is one of triumph despite adversity.”
mika.williams@inl.co.za