Four hijacked planes were used in a series of coordinated attacks on 11 September 2001, killing thousands of people. This triggered major changes in global politics, security and international relations.

Senior lecturer in political studies and governance in the faculty of humanities at the University of the Free State Dr Alta Grobbelaar said although South Africa did not experience the attacks directly, the country became part of the international environment that emerged in its aftermath. 

She said 9/11 accelerated the globalisation of security, forcing countries to strengthen their participation in international counterterrorism efforts.

South Africa, as a member of the United Nations and a major regional power in sub-Saharan Africa, had to align itself with international conventions, resolutions and frameworks aimed at combating terrorism and terrorist financing.

“The most enduring impact of 9/11 was not the attacks themselves, but the security environment that emerged afterwards,” said Grobbelaar. “Counterterrorism became a central policy concern, and international cooperation became increasingly important.

“South Africa did not experience the attacks directly, but it nevertheless became part of the international environment that emerged after 9/11, particularly through counterterrorism, intelligence cooperation and security governance.

Shocked New York residents in front of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral after the attacks. Photo: Associated Press

“The relationship between South Africa and the United States became more complicated. South Africa supported efforts to combat terrorism, but was more cautious about aspects of the broader war on terror, particularly military interventions such as the invasion of Iraq.

“In South Africa, the legacy of 9/11 is visible in financial regulation, anti-money laundering frameworks, intelligence cooperation and our international reporting obligations. These developments have become embedded in the everyday functioning of the state.”

On the day, nearly 3,000 people were killed when al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower. A third hijacked plane, American Airlines Flight 77, slammed into the Pentagon, while a fourth aircraft, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania.

Millions watched in horror as the attacks unfolded live on television, and both Twin Towers collapsed within hours.

Central Media Group sub-editor Christo van Staden remembers the day very clearly when he heard the news while working at a local newspaper in the Western Cape.

Rubble and dust where the Twin Towers collapsed. Photo: Associated Press

“It was a very busy afternoon at work when the news started coming in about the plane that had crashed into the Twin Towers. I didn’t immediately realise how big it was.

“Only later that afternoon, when I saw on TV at home what had happened, did I grasp the scale of what was unfolding.

“And I must say, I remember the moment of realisation that something had shifted in the world – that the world we had known was no longer the same, and that it had become a much more unsafe place.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline on 066 487 1427.