The dining-hall echoes with the cry: 38 – 21!
What a memorable weekend this will turn out to be. The class of 1999 came together for their 20-year reunion on July 26 and 27. There can be few better weekends to come together than on the Affies weekend, but this one will turn out to be a truly special one.
Three good men stood in front of the main school building at 08:45, greeting each other with slight hesitance. Slowly the crowd grew. When the bell rang for assembly, a group of approximately 70 Old Boys waited anxiously to attend a Friday assembly again. In what would become a theme throughout the weekend, the good men of 1999 experienced many emotions as they looked out over the sea of boys neatly dressed in their winter uniforms. Mr. Reeler delivered an excellent message about treating people with respect and highlighting the fact that the school and educators are there to support any boys that need help. Regretfully this message aptly followed the recent passing earlier this week of one of the Affies boys. The big band played two lovely pieces and it was incredible to experience the revamped Abernethy Hall in all its glory.
Tea with the masters was enjoyed in the Bill Schroder Centre and the men were thoroughly impressed by the new library and music centre. Attentions shifted to the Pretoria Country Club, where 60 men attempted to play golf, some successfully and some arguably doing something that cannot be described as golf. Many more congregated in the clubhouse and enjoyed cool beverages as old war stories were traded amidst laughter and conversations.
Excitedly our reunion weekend coincided with the Affies sports fixture at home, and many attended the first rugby team match with a little trepidation as it had been 11 years since a Candy Stripe victory… To add to the trepidation was Boys High’ s narrow defeat to Maritzburg College the weekend before, who had been beaten only two weeks earlier by the Affies side by a margin resembling a good cricket opening partnership. What a treat we were in for! In one of the most special afternoons ever experienced on the Brooks Field, a valiant and courageous Boys High 1st XV overcame all odds to overcome trailing by 0-14. Not only did they beat Affies, but they did so in the most convincing of manners with a score of 38-21 (38-21!!) in a thrilling contest. The school, Old Boys and fans swarmed the field afterward in utter emotional jubilation.
The fantastic rugby result set up for a humdinger of an evening. No one more elated than the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the evening, Sean Brassel, who could throw away half of his prepared notes and run with the excitement felt by all after the 1st XV victory earlier that day.
We had an incredible turnout of 125 at the dinner (including 13 Masters), from all parts of South Africa and from many countries including Australia, Botswana, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom and the Unites States of America.
The MC acquitted himself with distinction and called both order and time-to-drink throughout the night with the victory cry of ‘ 38-21′ !! Several fine toasts were made and thanks go out to all that did so with such distinction. Sipho Mpumlwana presented a moving toast to South Africa in which he challenged all to continue to strive to make South Africa better. Andrew Dittberner toasted Absent Friends with sincerity and class. Dwayne Smith and Travis Paul toasted the Masters in what can best be described as a humour-filled duet. Our beloved Boss, Mr. Schroder, regaled us with memorable tales of our group at school. Francois Viljoen presented a heartful toast to the school and Mr. Reeler replied with a great update of the school and highlighting both strengths and challenges that Boys High currently faces. He highlighted the unique role that boys’ schools play in the development of men and also urged men to be good, to be present fathers that lead their families with compassion and teach their children how to live a meaningful life.
As tradition mandates, the dinner culminated in the singing of 40 Year On, led by Jarrod Schlemmer, who’ s pitch of “Follow Up” has lowered slightly since 1999. It is hard to believe that this touching song had ever been sung with more gusto and emotion and evoked so many memories of decades past. Hairs on the back of the neck stood at attention. The evening shifted to the Old Boys club where much merrymaking was enjoyed by all and philosophers were in fine form.
Special thanks go to Inge Paulsen-Liddle from the PBHSOB Association for all the help in setting up a memorable weekend. Thank you to Mr. Reeler, the school and kitchen staff for hosting us, making us feel so welcome and for providing the delicious meals.
The behind the scenes stars of this most memorable weekend were the organising committee, comprised of Thato Moloto, Gary Bannatyne, Sean Brassel and Maurice Aronstam. Sean spent countless hours organising the awesome golf day, all while prepping to be MC for the evening. Maurice spent even more hours leading the charge for the dinner and weekend in general. The class of ‘ 99 salute these fine gentlemen and we are indebted to them for a priceless experience. After such a special weekend, we were once again thankful for being part of such a fine school and sharing the common bond with a group of diverse men who all are better as a result of time spent at Boys High. How fortunate we are.
As expected from our beloved English teacher, Mr. Mansfield managed to encapsulate the evening and our class in a heartfelt thank you note, excerpts of which he gave me permission to share:
“Last evening’s reunion dinner
shall remain in my memories as one of the most gratifying, enriching and
self-affirming experiences of my life.
When I joined Boys’ High in 1998, it was the Class of 1999 which gave me my
powerful first impressions of the extraordinary young Gentlemen with whom I was
to have the privilege of working and interacting for sixteen years – which were
and remain the happiest and most meaningful years of my life.
You and your class-mates were and are superlative young Gentlemen of the finest
character, whose breath-taking talents and achievements I hold in the highest
regard. You are more than the Good Men of whom Mr Reeler spoke. You are the
Best Men in the World, and I feel humbled and honoured that you invited me to
your reunion.
I will never forget all the laughter and all the kind words which were spoken
to me last evening – for all of which I thank you and the entire Class of
1999.”
With a full heart and many fond memories,
Francois Viljoen
Head Prefect 1999
