Lawrence was only 24 years old when he joined the stadium crew after working as a security guard. “Upon my appointment I was sent for training and was qualified as an electrician. I was very happy to be afforded this opportunity as it gave me the ability to look after my family later in life,” he explains.

His day to day activities involve mainly ensuring that all lighting systems in the stadion is in full working order. This includes the whole stadium, all suites as well as the offices and the generator.

The highlight over the last 30 years of his time at EPS was the 1995 World Cup, a day in which he ran around a lot and didn’t really have time to sit and enjoy the rugby. “Working on the day and seeing Nelson Mandela and what his message brought to this country, to people of all colours, was so inspiring to me. The staff had a suite where they could watch the game and I managed to pop in there in between the running around to make sure all the suites had power.

“On a day like that, with so many people at the stadium, the power is under immense pressure as all the suites plug in appliances so I am normally very busy on match days.”

Lawrence says the stadium has been his home away from home for so many years. “I grew up here and I have experience so much in my time here. That is why I am always positive, because I spend so much here. This is truly one of the best stadiums in the world,” Lawrence says.

Ndlazi lives with his wife and three children in Soweto and all of them all diehard Lions fans.