25 August 2014 & 26 August 2014
Last week the Class of 1984 held their 30 Year on Reunion at Pretoria Boys High School.
Naturally a fantastic time was had by all, but the most memorable must be the fact that the Class of ’84 was the last reunion group privileged to enjoy a School Assembly in the current School Hall.
Dr Brian van Onselen, Deputy Head Prefect in 1984 read the scripture reading and Mr Paul Theron, Head Prefect in 1984 addressed the assembly.
Paul Theron is the founder and CEO of Vestact, a Johannesburg private client asset management firm. He is also the co-host of the Hot Stoxx television show on CNBC Africa.
Included below is an abridged version of his address – which we thought other Old Boys would also enjoy.
Address to the School Assembly on Friday 22 August 2014
Thank you, Mr Reeler. Good afternoon boys, staff, guests and the class of 1984.
I’m not going to let an opportunity pass me by to leave a mark on over 1500 impressionable teenage boys, so here goes. My life advice to you is this: Be Optimistic.
That’s it, be optimistic. Why? Because the world is full of pessimists, and that’s a problem. In my line of work, there are plenty of downers, they are called stock market bears. They think it sounds clever to be worried. People like these have predicted 15 of the last three recessions.
You see, despite the awful stories in the news, humanity is like a river flowing downhill, around all of the obstacles. Don’t stress about the problems, laugh them off and get on with your own life.
Research studies conducted by US Universities have shown that optimistic people earn more money, sleep better and live longer. One study at the University of Kentucky showed that optimists have a higher sperm count.
So be upbeat about optimism. Good things will start happening around you.
– Paul Theron
