PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Dear Old Boy

Mark van Diggelen attended Pretoria Boys High School from 1982 – 1986 and was in Sunnyside House. He says he and his school mates “pretty much flew under the radar, we were a very tight knit group and were always hanging out at one of our houses and living the teenage life – cycling, music, food and girls.”

“The greatest characteristics that are engrained in a Boys High Boy is the respect and manners that we are taught from day one. Today still, people will say to me that I must be a Boys High Boy – it’s definitely a feeling of pride to be in a position to acknowledge that.”

While at school, Mark tasked his grandmother with knitting him an extra-long scarf. “Needless to say she got a little carried away and the end result was a scarf that provided warmth for four of us in a row in Mrs Erasmus’ Afrikaans class. Sadly, the scarf didn’t last beyond three days, as I was lifting Wayne Dean on my bike and the scarf ended up in the gears. It took us close to an hour to cut it out with a pair of scissors.”

When reflecting on his teachers at school, Mark says that Eddie Dorey made a huge impression on him as he “was a truly great man who always showed humility, with a go get it attitude.” Mark’s favourite subject at school was Geography, taught by Mrs Hicks. “Mrs Hicks was probably the most laid back teacher of all the teachers, but her teaching style truly made geography an interesting subject”.

Mark recalls “One of our art teachers was Mr Glen, and it was our life mission to make his life as difficult as possible – the poor soul was constantly bombarded with pranks. He had an obsession with washing his hands and as a result we couldn’t resist plugging his taps with blue paint, the result being that as he opened the tap to wash his hands, he was greeted with a flow of insanely blue water – I unfortunately can’t repeat the language that was used!”

After school Mark wanted to study Interior Design, but got accepted for Purchasing Management. “I had absolutely no interest in this field of study and hence decided to go serve my country and completed my national service as a corporal in the Military Police, down in Grahamstown.”

“Some of the traits ingrained into us at school and that will stand anybody in good stead is the ability to stick to your beliefs, through perseverance and believe in what you’re passionate about.”

Mark ended up studying Cobol Programming and a couple of other computer related courses. “I had an interest in computers, having got my fist Commodore Vic 20 at the age of 14 and went on to create a couple of games in the Basic programming language. I always joke when asked about my qualifications and stated I have a QBE – Qualified by Experience.”

Mark has always been involved in the technology industry and started focusing on the Internet in 1998, which he says “was still the early days in what today rules our worlds.”

Mark joined an online casino group, as CTO, in 2000 and went on to establish their global IT infrastructure and later moved into the role of VP Business Development, his focus was on developing new channels to drive user acquisition for the casino and poker brands. While in this role Mark developed a number of global Bingo, Lottery and Casual Gaming brands, which was the start of his journey in the gaming world.

In 2005 Mark left the casino group to start his own business – SkillPod Media, which has recently been re-branded to GameZboost.com. The primary focus is around the development and provision of casual and MMO (Massively Multplayer Online Games) gaming platforms and solutions to publishers across the globe. Some of the clients that we provided gaming solution to include: NBC Universal (USA), Sony Pictures Entertainment (11 Countries) and Burger King. GameZBoost has clients across the globe, including: South Africa, USA, UK, Turkey, China, New Zealand, Ghana, Kenya, Brazil, Europe, Argentina and is currently expanding across Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific.

“As a business we’re entering an incredibly exciting phase with our new fully responsive and adaptive gaming platform, this is essentially provides a platform for our solutions to run across any desktop, tablet, smartphone and smart TV device, while ensuring that the content can be translated into any language.”

In 2013 Mark was recognised as a Global Top 50 Entrepreneur by InfoDev / World Bank and he was also featured in the South African version of Entrepreneur Magazine in January 2014. Click here to read the article.

Click here to read more about Mark >>
Click here to visit his company’s website >>

OLD BOYS’ DINNER 2016

Have you not seen the magnificent new Abernethy Hall yet?

Now is your chance – The Annual Old Boys’ Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, 4 June 2016. This will be the first Old Boys’ Dinner in the new Abernethy Hall, and it promises to be an event to remember!

Old Boy and Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013, Greg du Toit will be the Guest Speaker at this memorable event. Mr du Toit will also be autographing and selling copies of his book on the evening.

DATE:	Saturday, 4 June 2016
VENUE:	New Abernethy Hall, Pretoria Boys High School
TIME:	18:30 for 19:00
DRESS CODE:	Black Tie or Lounge Suit
INCLUDES:	Welcome Drink | Three Course Dinner
ENTERTAINMENT:	Guest Speaker – Greg du Toit | Pretoria Boys High School Musical Item
COST:
Age 18 – 23 & 65+	R250.00
Other:	R300.00

FOUNDERS’ DAY ASSEMBLY

Old Boys are invited to attend assembly at Pretoria Boys High School on Friday, 3 June 2016 at 8:00. Old Boys who will be attending are requested to please wear a jacket and tie and RSVP to the school at pr@boyshigh.com. Tea will be served afterwards.

SATURDAY SPORTS

On Saturday 4 June 2016 Old Boys are invited to support the Pretoria Boys High School hockey and rugby teams as they compete against Jeppe at Pretoria Boys High School during the day.

The First XV Rugby match will take place at 13:00

REGALIA

The Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys’ Association is offering great savings on popular Regalia items. These are now available on our online shop or via the Association office: info@pbhsob.com

Please note Regalia is only available to PBHSOB Association Life Members.
Limited sizes available.

AGM 2016

The Annual General Meeting of the Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys’ Association was held at the Pretoria High School Old Boys’ Club, Hofmeyr Park, Lynnwood, Pretoria on Wednesday the 18th of May 2016 at 18:00.

The following Directors & Office Bearers have been appointed for 2016/2017

Mr. Thomas Rundle (Chairman)
Mr. James Lourens (Vice-Chairman)
Mr. Kyle Schmulow (Hon. Secretary)
Mr. Jason Webber (Hon. Treasurer)
Mr. Geoff Meyer
Mr. Mike Von Bardeleben
Mr. Glen Corlett
Mr. Mike Carnie
Mr. Eddie Penzhorn
Mr. Ed Loubser
Mr. Memos Kavelineas
Mr. Tony Reeler (Co-opted)

60 YEARS ON REUNION 2016

As our hospitable driver, Mr. Ben Sithole in a very smart Mercedes bus ably negotiated the speed humps along Jacaranda and Main Drive from the Sommerville Cricket Pavilion to the lawn in front of Solomon House, my thoughts went back sixty years, when there was still an ox-cart powered by two placid oxen encouraged by a whip-bearing driver to move rubble. The gravel fields, today replaced by finely tended grassed surfaces and the first Astro-turfed hockey field in Pretoria. The boys in their formals were still as we were. Change is happening but happily most of tradition seems still to be in place.

In the absence of the Headmaster Mr. Tony Reeler (who was attending the funeral service of his mother in Cape Town where she had for many years served Rondebosch Boys High with her husband, the Headmaster there), the Second Master, Mr. John Illsley, officiated and from the steps in front of Solomon House welcomed the group of 68 guests to the celebratory occasion.

Due to the sundry ailments of many in the group, we were spared an extensive walk-about in the School grounds and instead were privileged to a sneak preview of the latest facilities which will be available to the boys after the opening of the Bill Schroder Centre. The music department will also be accommodated here with numerous sound-proof practice and tutorial rooms. No more acoustic competition for teachers against the sounds produced from the quadrangles and passages by instruments
played in variant stages of accomplishment!

From the Media Centre the group proceeded to the fascinating collection of memorabilia and artefacts in the School Museum, where Mr. Keith Gibbs is the Curator and as a previous History Master at the School, well-equipped to share the many intriguing tales surrounding the preserved articles. Well worth a second visit by those close to the School. A consideration unlikely by those who made the great effort to meet from far. Aubrey Burer from the USA, Jan Hoep from Holland, resplendent in his school blazer, Bentley Novis from Israel and Bruce Argue from Kent in the UK. The only other guy from overseas was Jack Klaff who sailed from Messina! Many others went to great effort to attend. Those not there were either deceased, diseased,
disabled or disinterested!

The assembly at noon revived many memories, for though the magnificent new Hall was a third edition and is now the largest facility pf its kind, paid for entirely from donations, the proceedings were reminiscent of our time there. Proudly we witnessed the allocation of many awards.

L-R: Mr Keith Gibbs, Geoff Meyer, Matthew Glover (Headboy)

An aphorism based on an acronym DADA (Dream Appropriately, Do All) ended the message from the Class of 1956. Warwick Krige our Head Boy, read Corinthians I, Chapter 13 and the Singing of “Forty Years On” brought on an epidemic of epiphora and lumpy throats.

The afternoon programme was compèred by Peter Good, with Robin Barker to say Grace, Warwick Krige to propose a toast to the School and Mr. John Illsley to respond in the presence of our special guests, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Schroder, Mr. Edmund Jonesand his son Glyn, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Wilkes, Mr. Peter Bantock, Mr. and Mrs. John Illsley, and Mrs. Inge Paulsen-Liddle, Mr. Geoffrey Meyer (representing the Old Boys’ Association).

The memorable day ended with the serving of Port and Sherry as the playing of the Last Post from the West Tower rang accross the fields to end a day of close cameraderie that is the Brotherhood of The Boys High.

PBHS SPORTS RESULTS & FIXTURES

We have had many queries from Old Boys who would like to receive communication regarding the sports fixtures and sports results of Pretoria Boys High School. For this purpose, we will be sending out two separate emails per week over and above the monthly email newsletter.

One email will contain the sports results, the other the fixtures as received by the PBHSOB Association Office.

These emails will be sent by subscription only – meaning you will not be automatically added to receive them; you will have to subscribe to them using the links below:

Click here to subscribe to receive SPORTS RESULTS >>
Click here to subscribe to receive SPORTS FIXTURES >>

PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL NEWS

OLD BOYS IN THE NEWS

LETTERS

Dear Editor

Alexander Johannes was the top student in Gauteng in 2010. After a gap year, he did his chemical engineer degree at Tuks. He achieved this degree on the 7th of April as the top chemical engineer, as well as the best student in the final year in the engineering faculty. He wore his Old Boy tie very proudly. He flew back last night to do his masters degree in Nürnberg, Germany.

Kind regards.
Ursula Naude
(Alex’s Afrikaans teacher)

CAPE TOWN BRANCH ANNUAL DINNER

Exactly 101 Old Boys attended Cape Town’s Annual Dinner at the Rondebosch Golf Club on May 10, highlighted by a first-ever appearance at an Old Boys’ function by Lionel Mirvis, a few days after his 90th birthday.

Rabbi Dr. Mirvis matriculated at Boys High in 1942 and regaled the function with his vivid recall of the school during the war years and anecdotes about teachers, many of whom continued at the school through the 50s and 60s and were well known to many of the Old Boys in attendance.

He also blessed the meal before the start of proceedings and after his speech received an Old Boys’ tie from James Lourens, one of four PBHSOB Executive Committee Members who flew down for the function along with Headmaster, Tony Reeler.

The Boss’ update on the school’s activities over the last 12 months is always eagerly anticipated and pictures of the expanded hall and the plans for the Bill Schroder Centre were the first most had seen of the projects.

Dr Mirvis was eight years older than the next oldest Old Boys at the function – Andre du Toit and Roy Cochrane from the 1950 leaving group. Those attending range from 1942 to Old Boys from the 2012 leaving group. The 1997 group always have a healthy turn out and again were numerous.

Tony Murray, Head Boy in 1958, delivered a toast to absent friends, recalling those whose from Cape Town who had passed over the last year, including classmate Tony Gertenbach, who did much in the past to organise functions for Cape Town based Old Boys. Trevor Quirk (1965) acted as master of ceremonies.

Images & Text: Mark Gleeson

IN MEMORIAM

COLIN MACKENZIE LANG (1944)

I report with sorrow the death of my brother, Dr Colin Lang, at Knysna on 26th April. He was the third son of James Lang who was housemaster of Solomon House from 1911 until 1928, when he left Boys’ High to be the Rector of the Grey, PE. Dad was vice-principal of Boys’ High in his latter years, and returned, after retirement, to teach at the school in 1943 -1944

Colin had his last two years of schooling at Boys’ High, matriculating in 1944. He qualified as a medical doctor at Wits, and then, following in the footsteps our older sister, Dorothea, practised as a much-loved and respected GP in Pretoria until his retirement to Knysna in 1992. An accomplished pianist as a boy, he broadcast over the SABC in 1944. In addition to his love for, and wide knowledge of music, Colin was a knowledgeable and devoted gardener, establishing a garden in Knysna of ultimately some 3000 indigenous plants.

He fought a life-long battle for political fairness in South Africa, first for the Liberal Party, (he was a parliamentary candidate for the Pretoria constituency in 1958), and later for the PFP and the DA, being undeterred by 3 months of imprisonment without trial in Pretoria Central Prison, immediately after Sharpeville.

He was in recent years an outspoken critic of the scandalous misgovernment of the ANC alliance. He was, for the last 60 years of his life a loyal and active member of the Anglican Church.

Yours sincerely, Andrew Lang (Brother)

ROBERT THOMAS SMITH (1959)

LEE JUSTIN POTGIETER (2006)

UPCOMING OLD BOY EVENTS

• 4 June 2016
  ANNUAL OLD BOYS’ DINNER
• 23 July 2016
  20 YEAR ON 2016
• 19 & 20 August 2016
  30 YEAR ON 2016
• 27 August 2016
  10 YEAR ON 2016
• 9 & 10 September 2016
  50 YEAR ON 2016
• 4 & 5 November 2016
  40 YEAR ON 2016

OLD BOY REQUESTS

The PBHSOB Association Office often gets various requests from Old Boys, hence the inception of “Old Boys Requests” – a page on the Pretoria Boys High School Old Boys Association website dedicated for this purpose. Click here to visit the page.

If you would like to submit a request simply complete an application form and send it to info@pbhsob.com. Once vetted, it will be
placed on the page for a period of one month – allowing fellow Old Boys to reach out, contact you directly and assist you if need be.

Kindly note, this service is only available for PBHSOB Association Life Members.

If you have any interesting news items and photos or just want to let your fellow Old Boys know what you have been up to after school, please send all information to info@pbhsob.com