“I Was Not Aware”: SA Remembers 2 South Africans Lost in 9/11 Attacks

• The South African Military History Channel paid tribute to two South Africans who died in the World Trade Centre on 11 September 2001
• Nick Rowe, a former St John's College pupil from Johannesburg, was 28 when he was killed in the attacks
• Craig Gibson, born in Springs on the East Rand, was working on the 94th floor of the North Tower when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building

Two South Africans lost their lives when al-Qaeda militants hijacked four commercial aircraft and carried out coordinated attacks across the United States on 11 September 2001. On the 25th anniversary of that day, the South African Military History Channel honoured both men, reminding many South Africans that the tragedy had touched their own country too.

Who was Nicholas Charles Alexander Rowe

Nicholas "Nick" Charles Alexander Rowe was 28 years old when he died. A former pupil of St John's College in Houghton, Johannesburg, Nick attended the school from Grade 1 through to matric. He played age-group rugby and hooker for the second team, sang in the College Choir and the College Consort, and was remembered by those who knew him for his wit and enormous warmth.

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His parents, Alec and Judy, later established an academic support post in his name at the school, and St John's honours him annually through the Nick Rowe Memorial Inter-House Sevens Tournament.

Craig Gibson's life and legacy

Craig Neil Gibson was born in Springs on the East Rand. He eventually settled abroad with his Australian wife, Danielle, and was working as an insurance broker on the 94th floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Centre when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building. He was 37. His body was never found.

In an online memorial, his widow wrote:

"My mind still talks to you, my heart still looks for you, but my soul knows you're at peace."

Both men's names are inscribed at the National September 11 Memorial in New York City. The attacks claimed 2,977 lives in total, carried out by 19 hijackers across four aircraft.

Mzansi reacts to the tribute

Many South Africans said they had never known their countrymen were among the victims. Others shared their own connections to the two men and to the memorial site on the Facebook page:

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@Carolyn Burger said:

"Remembering them. I was not aware that any SA had perished in 911."

@Penny Whyte shared:

"I remember going to the Memorial, which was built in memory of all the precious lives lost. It was very moving standing there in New York and reading the list of names."

@Sandra Theron Donovan said:

"When I visited the 9/11 Memorial, I placed two South African flags on their names."

@Brian Serrao wrote:

"What a great friend Craig was when I was his soccer coach at Rhodes University. Gibbo as he was known to us will never be forgotten. RIP mate."

@Wendy Lee Farrell added:

"We knew Craig from Rhodes University. Still hits hard. RIP."

@Marthie Engelbrecht shared:

"Standing there, knowing what had happened and how disastrous it must have been and still is to so many who lost loved ones... one cannot comprehend. May they rest in peace."

@Maureen Anne Burrows said:

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"I was not aware two South Africans perished in the terror attacks of the World Trade Centre. May Nicholas and Craig rest in peace."

See the tribute below:

More on 9/11 tributes and reactions

• Briefly News recently reported on a controversial decision by a world leader to skip a major Ground Zero ceremony on the attacks' 25th anniversary.
• Firefighters from opposite sides of the world came together in an emotional cultural tribute to honour the victims.
• A moment of silence was observed by a major sports team that sparked backlash from fans questioning where that same solidarity was for tragedies closer to home.

Source: Briefly News