FAMILIES, aviation leaders, and members of the public gathered to remember at the South African Airways Museum Society in Germiston, Ekurhuleni, on Sunday, 30 November to honour the 159 people who died when South African Airways Flight SA 295 - the Helderberg - crashed into the Indian Ocean on 28 November 1987.
For many, 38 years have passed, but the pain remains as sharp as ever.
A South African Airways Boeing 747-224B, the "Helderberg", crashed into the sea near Mauritius on 28 November 1987.
Peter Boshoff, chairperson of the South African Airways Museum Society (SAAMS), delivered an emotional tribute.
"We stand together in solemn remembrance of the 159 souls who lost their lives aboard the Helderberg," he said.
He reminded those present that an aviation accident is more than a crash.
"It is a sudden, unimaginable fracture in the lives of families and communities. Words can never fully mend the wounds we feel, but they can help us hold space for one another as we grieve," he said.
Boshoff said every passenger and crew member carried dreams, hopes, work, and family - dreams that were cut short too soon.
"The pain of absence remains deeply personal. Parents, children, siblings, partners, and friends were lost. They were people who laughed, who loved, who mattered," he said.
He praised families for their courage, saying they are determined to honour their loved ones, which ensures the Helderberg is never forgotten.
Wellington Nyuswa, CEO of SAA Technical, said it was a privilege to stand with the families on this day of remembrance.
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"Each year, as we honour the 159 lives lost, we are reminded that aviation is ultimately about people-their stories, their families, their dreams. The Helderberg's loss is the darkest chapter in South African civil aviation history," he said.
Nyuswa also highlighted the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on the day between SAA and the Museum Society, calling it "a pledge of friendship and collaboration" to preserve South Africa's aviation heritage.
Through the partnership, they aim to create exhibitions, educational initiatives, and public programmes that keep the memory of the Helderberg alive.
Among the families who attended was Mark Daniel, who lost his father in the tragedy.
Mark, who was only four years old when the crash happened, spoke with visible emotion.
"I was just a little boy when my father died. My brother Brian was seven. Losing him changed our entire family forever," he said.
He shared how the annual remembrance helps them cope.
"We appreciate this service. We appreciate everyone who has worked over the years to uncover the cause of the accident and to keep the memory alive. The pain doesn't go away, but gatherings like this remind us we are not alone," said Mark.
For Mark and many other families, the museum has become a sacred place.
"As South Africans, this is the only place where we can come to remember. This museum keeps the history alive for those who know the story and those who are learning it for the first time," he said.
