3 June 2017
The 98th Pretoria Boys High School Annual Old Boys’ Dinner was held at the School in the Abernethy Hall on Saturday, 3rd June 2017 at 19:00. Attended by Old Boys from the 1940’s to the present, the event commenced punctually in an elegant setting with round tables covered with white table cloths and green and red serviettes in sparkling glasses; laid around a centrepiece of tall Proteas in the same colours. The waiters were very attentive and professional in their black waistcoats, well done Mr. Louis Legat and the catering team.
The Dixie Band conducted by Dr Niel van der Watt entertained the guests in the preamble to the moment when all were summoned to their seats by the Master of Ceremonies, Mark Gleeson, to welcome all to the event.
Mike Gleeson then introduced Rudi Janse van Vuuren from the year of 1978 to say Grace, after which we were served homemade fish cakes with micro herbs and tartar sauce.
Tony Wilkes, President of the Old Boys’ Association was introduced to propose a Toast to Absent Friends. He was pleased to see so many of us attend to share a few drinks and to catch up on what had been happening with each other, renew friendships and think of those unable to be with us at the dinner and those who had passed on forever, a list of whose names was read out.
John Smit, Springbok Rugby Captain and of Rissik House, proposed the toast to South Africa, encouraging us to have faith in the future of the country.
The Head Prefect, Geordie Collaros next presented his excellent speech ending with a poem he wrote about the School.
In My Time Here, by Geordie Collaros
I’ve shed tears of joy and happiness to,
I’ve won some fixtures but lost a few.
I’ve broken bones and on Brooks I’ve bled,
This represents our flags colour RED.
I’ve made no friends which goes and shows… how
I’ve only made brothers, the family I chose.
I’ve learned that when I fall I must get up and fight,
This represents our flags colour WHITE.
I’ve had successes and failures as well,
My time here at Boys High approaches a final bell.
Virtute et Labore I have seen,
This represents our flags colour GREEN.
The home of giants, The school on the hill,
It’s just a school so what’s the big deal?
116 years a school, a home,
Never will you ever have to walk alone.
Mr Thomas Rundle spoke next as Chairman of the Old Boys’ Association, acknowledging the work by Inge Paulsen-Liddle as secretary of the Association and the tremendous and excellent effort by Geoff Meyer to convene and make the arrangements for the dinner. He also pledged financial support to the School as in the past. Subsequently the main course was served, consisting of roasted sirloin, sticky grilled chicken, basmati rice, garlic and parsley new potatoes, and broccoli and cauliflower au gratin and Greek salad.
The Guest Speaker Judge of the Constitutional Court and recipient of sundry academic and other accolades, Justice Edwin Cameron (1970) was introduced and told the joke about the accused who appeared before the judge on a charge of drunken driving.
“How do you plead?”
“I was drunk as a judge!” responds the accused.
“The appropriate English expression is, “I was as drunk as a Lord” admonishes the judge.
“Yes, m’Lord”….
We were also amused that the Judge stands up and snaps to attention when he receives a phone call from the Headmaster of his old school.
Justice Cameron then embarked on the sombering part of his address. Boys High was the eighth school he attended. He grew up poor, in a children’s home and was grateful for the wonderful education he received at Boys High. He learned more here than at Stellenbosch or Oxford. Judge Cameron also stated that the courts of the country would uphold the dignity and rights of the people, who had much experience and knowledge of exploitation and we should respect each other’s dignity and rights and address racism. We have extraordinary reserves of good will.
In his outstanding and inspiring Headmaster’s speech, Mr Tony Reeler thanked Justice Cameron for his sobering message and for always extending his support to the school. Mr. Reeler thanked the teachers and support staff for their dedicated contributions that contributed towards the many successes of the school. He did caution though that there was too much pressure on sporting activities at school level and it was more important to love the sport you participate in and enjoy it into your adult life after school than to suffer undue pressure to win at all costs while at school.
The costs of running the School were a major concern and Old Boys were thanked for their past and hopefully, future contributions. The Pretorian Trust under directorship of Mr. Leon Kok, a loyal Old Boy, was looking to further fund-raising in order to sustain the needs of the School particularly of a capital nature.
Mr Reeler thanked Mr John Smit who had addressed the School at the Founders’ Day Assembly and encouraged the boys to be the best version of themselves. Mr Thomas Rundle and the Old Boys were also thanked for their ongoing support.
Mr Reeler expressed his admiration for those members of the judicial system who showed great courage in these times. He shared some of the challenges the school had faced last year and was grateful for the opportunities to discuss racial and cultural issues as a result thereof. Changes made were very positively received but still the hardest part was to get people to listen to each other.
Old Boys were encouraged to support the School by attending sport events and Friday morning assemblies. “Our country is an extension of the schooling system and if we can teach our boys to tend to the needs of others before their own, build up instead of break down and celebrate our differences, we can succeed. We have too much to lose for this country not to succeed. I am optimistic about our country, I am optimistic about our future. Believe in your School and what happens here. Have faith in humanity and the resilience of South Africans. I wish you all great strength and resolve and thank you for having me here.”
The evening ended on this inspiring note and the notes of “Forty Years On”
– Trebot Barry
