The history of Orlando Pirates is rich in its content and time. This rich history provides the club a unique opportunity to dig deep and find answers for the future. Orlando Pirates is living proof that, “time present and time past, are present in time future”.
READ: Orlando Pirates reveals bold new-look for 2020/21 season
Did you know that the original Orlando Pirates logo was the letter P? This letter P came from Phiri-Phiri, one of teams that was part of the amalgamation to form Orlando Pirates.

The skull and the crossbones came about twenty-three years after the founding of the Club. It was whilst watching one of the popular movies about pirates (sea robbers) at the then Broadway Cinema on the westside of Johannesburg CBD that the club officials, under the chairmanship of Bethuel Mokgosinyana were so impressed by the fierceness and tenacity of the combatants they were watching, that they decided the skull and crossbones would make the perfect logo for a club that wanted to be feared by its opponents.
An entrepreneur-supporter who was part of the inner circle, Rankusi Maphisa, popularised the logo by manufacturing stickers that became very popular with Orlando Pirates supporters across the length and breadth of South Africa. Here is to 60 years of the skull and crossbones!
Average Rating
One thought on “Orlando Pirates – History of The Skull and Crossbones Logo”
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
More Stories
Mamelodi Sundowns dominate 2021/22 PSL awards nominees
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has announced the list of nominees for the 2021/22 PSL Awards. The virtual awards ceremony...
Hugo Broos names 37-man preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for upcoming AFCON 2023 qualifiers
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has selected a strong squad to do duty in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations...
Tinkler, Shalulile and Dolly collect DStv Premiership monthly awards
Cape Town City coach Eric Tinkler has claimed the April 2022 DStv Premiership Coach of the Month award after guiding...
KVC Westerlo sign Lyle Foster from Vitoria Sport Clube
Belgian Pro League side KVC Westerlo have completed the signing of Bafana Bafana forward Lyle Foster from Portuguese side Vitoria...
FK Aksu sign May Mahlangu on a one-year deal
South African midfielder May Mahlangu has joined Kazakhstan Premier League side FK Aksu on a one-year deal. The club on...
Brazos Valley Cavalry FC confirm the signing of Ryan Naidoo
South African midfielder Ryan Naidoo has joined Brazos Valley Cavalry FC in the USL League Two. USL League Two, formerly...
Jst hope that dis season 2020/21 belong to Orlando Pirates atleast looking forward to winning 2 cups Dstv premiership included once a pirates always a pirates