Why are Orlando Pirates called Orlando?

They are named ‘Pirates’ after the 1940 film The Sea Hawk starring Errol Flynn. 2010–11 season and domestic league ABSA Premiership, the League Cup Telkom Knockout, and the Top 8 Cup MTN 8 during the ABSA Premiership 2011–12 season.

Flash a badge with a skull and crossbones on it at almost any South African and they will know you’re talking about Orlando Pirates Football Club. From humble beginnings in 1937, Orlando Pirates Football Club has become more than just one of the most recognizable and successful sporting brands in the country; it is ingrained in the fabric of the country’s culture. The Club plays in the Premier Soccer League with its headquarters based in Houghton, Johannesburg. The Club’s home matches are played at the Orlando Stadium, which is based in the heart of Soweto.

On June 16 1976 thousands of pupils marched to Orlando Stadium to protest having to use Afrikaans as a medium of instruction.  

In 1993 the stadium played host to the funeral of Walter Sisulu and amongst the mourners were Thabo Mbeki, Nelson Mandela, Joachim Chissano of Mozambique, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and Pakalitha Mosisili of Lesotho

In 1994 South Africa became democratic and on the anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, Nelson Mandela gave a speech at this stadium where he committed the country to look after its children.

From 2008 to 2010 the stadium was rebuilt with a steel frame and this increased the capacity to 40,000 at a cost of R280m.

The stadium hosted a Super 14 Rugby Union semi-final in 2010, as well as the 2010 Super 14 Final, a week later.

This was due to the Bulls’ usual home ground Loftus Versfeld Stadium being unavailable, due to the 2010 FIFA world Cup.