PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Dear Old Boy

Throughout his career, Edwin Cameron has been recognised for his brilliance, commitment to human rights and social justice, and his HIV-Aids activism.

Justice Edwin Cameron retired from the Constitutional Court on 20 August 2019, after a distinguished legal career and more than 10 years on the bench of our apex court.

He was born in Pretoria on 15 February 1953. When he was very young, his father was imprisoned for car theft and his mother did not have the means to support him and his two sisters, Laura and Jeanie. He, therefore, spent much of his childhood in an orphanage in Queenstown.

His sister Laura was killed in an accident when he was just nine years old. He recalls his father attending Laura’ s funeral and not understanding why he had been imprisoned. Cameron has described this as his first encounter with the law:

“Was it only an instrument of rebuke and correction and subjection? Or could it be more? I did not know it then, but this vivid encounter imprinted and impelled my future life and career.”

Despite living in poverty as a child, he completed his schooling at Pretoria Boys’ High School with financial assistance and attended Stellenbosch University on the Anglo-American Open Scholarship, where he obtained a BA Law and an honours degree in Latin, both cum laude. He lectured in Latin and Classical Studies before studying on a Rhodes scholarship at Oxford University, where he obtained a BA in Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Civil Law degree. Cameron graduated with an LLB degree from the University of South Africa (Unisa) in 1978.

Cameron practised at the Johannesburg Bar from 1983 to 1994. From 1986 he was a human rights lawyer based at the University of the Witwatersrand’ s Centre for Applied Legal Studies (Cals), where he was awarded a professorship in law. His practice included labour and employment law; defence of members of the ANC charged with treason; conscientious and religious objectors; land tenure and forced removals; gay and lesbian equality.

From 1988 he advised the National Union of Mineworkers on HIV-Aids and helped draft and negotiate the industry’ s first comprehensive Aids agreement with the Chamber of Mines. While at Cals, he drafted the Charter of Rights on Aids and HIV, co-founded the Aids Consortium (a national affiliation of non-government organisations working in the field of Aids), which he chaired for its first three years, and founded and was the first director of the Aids Law Project. He also oversaw the gay and lesbian movement’ s submissions to the Kempton Park constitution-negotiating process.

Cameron was asked by the late chief justice Arthur Chaskalson to act in the Constitutional Court from 1999 to 2000. He was subsequently appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2001. On 31 December 2008 President Kgalema Motlanthe appointed Cameron to the Constitutional Court, with effect from 1 January 2009. He was considered a crucial member of the court’ s progressive wing and has been described by UCT Professor Richard Calland as a “jurist of the highest order”.

Throughout his career Cameron has been recognised for his brilliance, commitment to human rights and social justice and his HIV-Aids activism, receiving numerous honours from around the world for his contribution to international jurisprudence and the protection of human rights.

He made headlines in 1999 when he announced he had been living with HIV for 12 years as one of the first high-profile people to publicly disclose his status.

As an HIV-Aids and gay rights activist Cameron was an outspoken critic of then-President Thabo Mbeki’ s Aids-denialist policies, and in 2005 wrote a prize-winning memoir, Witness to Aids, about his own experience of living with Aids that was co-winner of the prestigious Sunday Times Alan Paton Award in 2006. In the foreword to this book, South Africa’ s first democratic President, Nelson Mandela, referred to Cameron as “a true hero of the country”.

In his keynote address at the 2000 International Aids Conference in Durban, South Africa, Justice Cameron made a powerful call for justice:

“Amidst the poverty of Africa, I stand before you because I am able to purchase health and vigour. I am here because I can pay for life itself. To me, this seems a shocking and monstrous iniquity of very considerable proportions that, simply because of relative affluence, I should be living when others have died; that I should remain fit and healthy when illness and death beset millions of others.”

It was within this political context that the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) approached the courts for relief (Minister of Health and Others v Treatment Action Campaign and Others (No.2) 2002 (5) SA 721 (CC)). The challenge, in this case, was that government was limiting the supply of Nevirapine to two “pilot sites” per province, regardless of the capacity of the facility, the willingness of doctors to dispense, the availability of the medication and the urgent need for it. The essence of the court’ s ruling against the government was that its plan was unreasonable and inflexible, and that Nevirapine should be available to all who needed it. The judgment, in this case, is estimated to have saved tens of thousands of lives.

Cameron’ s compelling autobiography, Justice – A Personal Account (2014), won the 2015 South African Literary Award (SALA) for creative non-fiction. Justice Dennis Davis had this to say about the book:

“A judge should possess a clear vision of the role the Constitution must play in the reconfiguration of a legal system which suffered terrible damage under apartheid… In addition, a judge should hold an emphatic regard for the other; an understanding of the diversity of South Africa and a consequent realisation that his or her world vision cannot necessarily lay claim to an unqualified, universal acceptance”

In chapter six of his book Poverty, Social Justice and the Constitution Cameron describes the difficult circumstances of his childhood and engages with the topic of charity and its role in relation to political – and legal – action. He emphasises that charity is not a substitute for political action and if there was perfect social justice there would be little or no need for charity. But we do not live in that society and charity provides immediate relief.

In Justice he relates a story of a “random act of kindness” that clearly touched his life and influenced his thinking as he journeyed from an orphanage to the highest court in the land. The mysterious act of kindness occurred on his sister Jeanie’ s birthday. A smartly dressed woman knocked on their door and handed the young Cameron an envelope. After she had left they opened the envelope to discover R10 and no note. This allowed them to buy a R2 ice-cream cake for Jeanie.

In this chapter, Cameron reveals the powerful impact of this act of compassion on his life and his jurisprudence:

“… What remains most deeply imprinted on my mind are not [the] later hand-outs, whose beneficence touched us through the anonymous mechanism of a fund. What lingers most vividly is the unnamed woman’ s mysterious act of personal generosity. It left me deeply under the impression of how important acts of interventive kindness are.

“… We all need the caring and generosity of others. We all need gestures of the exhilaratingly practical and redemptive kind the nameless woman intruded onto my mother’ s and Jeanie’ s and my straitened lives in Bloemfontein in January 1963. More importantly, we need a government that, on behalf of all of us, expresses that loving care and concern toward our fellows. More specifically, we need a government that is constitutionally obliged to do so. This is precisely what the Constitution gives us in South Africa.”

The contributions of Justice Cameron to our understanding of both justice and compassion are of enormous import, and we hope that he will continue to contribute towards a renewed constitutional dialogue.

By Narnia Bohler-Muller, Gary Pienaar and Michael Cosser, 22 August 2019

Source: Text & Images

The PBHSOB Association wishes Old Boy Justice Cameron all the best for his future endeavours and thanks him for his service to our country.

BROOKS, A FIELD OF MEN

BROOKS, A FIELD OF MEN
By Dan Lombard

A sunny winter’ s afternoon greets thousands of boys, parents and supporters as Brooks Field braces for the annual clash between the Candies and the Wit Bulle. A picturesque scene of bruised bodies and sweat stained grass breathes life into those waiting in excited anticipation.

The question murmuring around the field, tramped hard by the teams before, was “Will they be able to pull it off?”. A fair question as it had been 14 years since Boys High were able to plant their fluttering red, white and green flag on home ground and the Candies had had a relatively average season thus far.

Sure enough, the sound of bagpipes and drums wafted it’ s way throughout the grounds. In the distance, Danny Swart smiled over all in attendance, perched on top of the greenish bronze dome. His naked body for the world to see, clutching his book and rugby ball. Perhaps fitting, considering the Candies run of form against the old foe of late.

In a moment, the Candies had run out under their cherished flag to a thunderous applause, a tunnel of ordinary boys who would become heros. Boys who were on the cusp of greatness. Boys who were prepared to sweat blood and to honour the men who had worn the hallowed jersey in the time of yesteryear.

There was a deafening silence as the two armies lined up against each other to pay respect to a fallen Affies boy, Ian, his life cut short before it had even begun. The match to be played in his honour, testament to the mutual respect the schools share for one another.

A shrill blow of the referee’ s whistle broke the silence and the boys lined up for kick-off. The Form Vs emotional as it would be the last time they played for their school. It was now or never.

The first 35 minutes were pulsating as the Candies did well to stifle the Wit Bulle’ s attempts at putting together any decent phases on attack. There was no questioning of their talent, Affies were formidable and duly scored two converted tries which brought on worried glances from the Boys High contingent.

It would be fair to say that Boys High can never really match the sheer physical strength of Affies. What sets the school on the hill apart is the fact that they play with passion and a never quit attitude. This is spurred on by the constant singing of war cries, dutifully managed by the throng of cheerleaders dressed smartly in their flowing kilts.

Anyone who has ever played a game of rugby can account for the fact that one can barely hear the crowd as their hearts beat in their ears but what happened in the final minute of the first half must have been brought on by the incessant singing.

The Candies fullback gained possession and decided that he would goose step his way through the entire Affies’ team to score a sensational try under the sticks. The nervous feeling now tinged with a glimmer of optimism.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first finished. A Boys High try being awarded minutes after the match resumed. The belief was there, all the Candies had to do was to carry on doing the same and they did not disappoint as they scored a further three converted tries and landed a penalty goal while restricting Affies to a solitary converted try.

Time seemed to stand still as the crowd, growing ever more frantic, edged closer and closer towards the field. Paul Anthony, the legendary Lion of Lebanon, pacing up and down the dead ball line, roaring instructions to the battered Candies.

Sure enough, the final whistle blew and for a split second, there was confusion as to whether or not the scoreboard was correct. 38-21 to Boys High, the Candies had done it.

The school, Old Boys, parents and supporters stormed the field and lifted their champions to the heavens. Handshakes, back slapping and hugs were the order of the day with tears ejecting themselves out of the eyes of all of the souls on and around Brooks Field, both players and the Boys High community.

The Candies of 2019 may have run onto Brooks as boys but they were carried off of it as men. A moment to be cherished forever.

By Dan Lombard (2008)

#redwhitegreen #Candies #PretoriaBoys

Brooks, A Field of Men

2019 MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE

Pretoria Boys High School Parents Association is proud to announce that we will once again be hosting the Pretoria Boys High School 24hr MTB Relay Challenge on Saturday 7th September 2019, and we would like to invite all Old Boys to take part.

Held on the school grounds, the race requires riders to complete as many 6 kilometre laps as possible in the 24 or 6 hour race period. The route features jeep track, single-tracks and sections across the car parks and sport fields of the school. For the true endurance junkies the event offers the option of a full 24 hour solo race. While for those more intent on the social side of the event or keen to race as a team there are team categories for riders in 2, 4, 6 and even 8 person squads in the 24 hour race. In the 6 hour race meanwhile, riders can take part individually or in teams of 2, 4, 6 or 8 riders. The 6 hour event also boasts a school’ s specific category of 4 rider teams – which is sure to be hotly contested by Pretoria Boys High and our rival institutions.
Off the bike there will be a festive atmosphere throughout the event, ensured by food trucks and complimentary camping for all riders.

The action kicks off at 10:00am on Saturday morning, on the 7th of September for the 24 hour race; and at 14:00 for the 6 hour event. Prize giving will take place at 10:00am on Sunday morning. Entries are available online via www.entryninja.com, while for more information and to stay updated on all the news and important announcements, like the event’ s Facebook page: PBHS MTB Challenge.

The success of such an event is as a result of the involvement of both riders and sponsors and we would like to offer your business the opportunity to get involved by becoming a sponsor. As a sponsor you will be able to erect your company’ s branding at the race village as well as hold active promotions of your products throughout the day. Alternatively, should you decide to sponsor a prize, we will gladly display your branding in the prize giving venue.

For more information please email pr@boyshigh.com.

20 YEAR ON REUNION 2019
CLASS OF 1999

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

BOARDER RANTS

1. With enough training, will Richmond be able to lap himself on an athletes track?
Duration: 9.68 mins: Most of it spent getting the add maths guys out of late prep, only to receive a bespectacled blank stare. Guess not.

2. When it rains before a water polo match, why does someone always have to say, “Be careful, the ball gets slippery when it’s wet!”?
Duration: 4 mins: One of those classic Boys High jokes, like what used to happen outside Foxy’ s classroom window.

3. Why does Mr Schroder not take part in Boss / Skiv day?
Duration: 1 min: You try talking your way out of trouble after sending the Head to the tuck shop.

4. Who would win an Add Maths vs. Maths Lit rugby match?
Duration: 15 mins: Not sure. It would be a pretty fair match. Add maths (who would don jerseys with big + symbols) would have amazing tactics but not much of a tight five. Maths Lit (with big ? symbols on their backs) would probably win with the age advantage.

5. Why does Danny, the Boy On Top, not have a girlfriend?
Duration: 11 mins: There are no naked-girl statues in Girls High or Meisies. He’ s working hard on it though. Being a true Boys High boy, he’ s probably on MXit under those books.

6. Why hasn’t Gamtoos had anything named after him?
Duration: 13 mins: What would you name after a ghost? Gamtoos House? What colour would they wear? Perhaps if he hadn’ t been so clumsy building the school, things would have worked out better. (No offence, we still need to sleep here)

7. Where do all these Jo’ Burg boarders come from?
Duration: 3 secs: Oh wait. Nevermind..

8. How well would we do in the exams if we were allowed to cheat?
Duration: 9 mins: Stories of endless Rhodes scholarships until some know-it-all points out that if you allow it, it’ s no longer cheating. An additional 4 mins spent plotting to throw this guy in the fountain.

9. Why don’t we ever organise models for the photographic society?
Duration: 30 mins: 10 mins spent finding out how to join and 20 mins spent silently pondering on what great models we’d be.

10 Why don’t we have massive escalators to carry the matrics up Polly Shorts?
Duration: 2 mins: Form I ‘s are quicker.

– Greg Lavagna, Boys Highlights Number 13, November 2009

OLD BOYISM

I had the misfortune of not attending PBHS in my youth, but I have been more than compensated.

After I turned fifty I was given the privilege of teaching at the Best School In The World – English, and some French, to boys in eighteen different annual admissions.

Those years were and remain the happiest, the most meaningful of my life, and today I am proud to be allowed to call myself an Honorary Life Member of the PBHSOB Association.

I have shared my classroom with some 2250 Boys’ High boys, and I have admired and been humbled by their talents, their abilities, their achievements, their integrity, their gentlemanly manners.

I have observed and marvelled at the growth and development of these young men; their loyalty and allegiance to the School; their pride in and passion for the School; their camaraderie and fraternity; their sense of humour, their banter, their fierce but friendly rivalry; their support for one another, always, and especially in times of pain, or hardship, or success.

I have observed and marvelled at the perpetual maintenance of and improvements to the School’s buildings, grounds and resources – the facilities, the technologies, the appearances; the calibre and quality of the staff, and especially of the leadership and management.

I have had the honour of being invited to the Ten-Years-On Reunion dinners of three matriculation groups, and to the Twenty-Years-On Reunion dinner of a fourth matriculation group – to each of which Old Boys had travelled from all corners of the country and of the globe.

The spirit of togetherness on all of these occasions is inimitable: the wit and laughter are scintillating; the atmosphere is alive with the re-kindling of old friendships, the revival of faded memories, the sharing of humorous anecdotes, and bursts of loud belly-laughter.

After each of these reunions I enjoy again the indomitable conviction that I am part of a phenomenon which is far greater than the sum of all its individual members. I call it Old Boyism.

Old Boyism is an acute awareness, in the depths of one’ s being, that one has received from the Best School In The World infinitely more than one has given to it, accompanied by an overwhelming flood of nostalgia, gratitude, satisfaction and pride.

Thank you, Boys’ High, and the world-wide PBHSOB Association, for giving us all so much, for making life so rich, so memorable, so worthwhile!

Keith Mansfield
Master : 1998 – 2013

SUMMER SPORTS DAY 2019
SKETCHING ON DOREY FIELD

At Summer Sports’ Day in January this year among a number of additional cultural activities which Old Boys could participate in, the Art Department of Pretoria Boys High School hosted Old Boys on one of the fields. Easels and tables were set up and a wonderful morning of sketching, painting and creating was had by all!

Below are some of artworks which were created by Old Boys and current boys.

10 YEAR ON REUNION 2019
CLASS OF 2009

Our reunion started with a visit to the school and a Friday assembly. The new hall and Schroder centre were met with great amazement and pride from the Old Boys since most of them had not seen the improvements that had been made to the buildings.

The dinner on the Saturday evening was an epic event. With much effort from Inge, the dining hall staff, the caterers and the school, the dinner went off without a hitch. Although we did finish after midnight!

Benjamin Semugga did a sterling job as master of ceremonies and ensured the evening was filled with laughter, entertainment and much banter. The speakers were fantastic and provided a great mix of serious urgency regarding our less than ideal economic situation and the unrivaled humour of a certain letter that was read out.

Mr Illsley provided a recon of what has been happening at the school since we were there and gave possibly one of the best speeches we have ever heard and witnessed. He walked back to his table to a standing ovation. Mr Schroder “the Boss” spoke last at about 23:30. He brought the magic back into our hearts that had faded somewhat over the last 10 years and reminded us of the great years we spent as school boys.

I’ d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in a weekend which will take a long time to forget. Here’ s to the next one in 10 years time.

‘ Tis here we learnt to live

Kyriacos Floudiotis
CONVENOR

Good day Inge,

In 2009 I had the privilege of being taught by Mr Keith Mansfield for the fourth time in my high school career. He had taught me in Form I as both my English and French teacher. He then taught me again in my Form IV year and continued to teach me the following year, in matric. On the 23rd of October in 2009 Mr Mansfield circulated two double folios on which he instructed us to write what our plans were for 2010 as well as where we thought we would be in 2019. He then sealed the folios in a white envelope which he entrusted to me. I was to keep it until our Ten Year On reunion and open it at the dinner.

I returned to Solomon House as an Assistant Housemaster after taking up a teaching post at Boys High in 2016 and during the moving process I rediscovered Mr Mansfield’s envelope. I kept it safely stored in my desk until this past Saturday where I had the privilege of opening the letter during my Ten Year On reunion dinner’s proceedings. It was an entertaining exercise as many of my classmates had since changed their minds regarding their careers. I feel honored to have been entrusted with the envelope. I am considering repeating the exercise with my current matric class, I hope one of them will be able to keep the envelope safe until their first reunion dinner in 2029.

Kind Regards,
James Orr

Class Of 2009 Time Capsule Read More >>

LETTERS

Complimenting a fine Headmaster
The Editor
PBHSOB Association Newsletter

I’ d like to pay tribute to Mr Tony Reeler who, following those before him, has distinguished himself as a superb headmaster and leader.

Ten years ago I had the privilege of attending a Thunder Gun Pub lunch in Johannesburg in which Mr Bill Schroder brought and introduced Mr Reeler to the Old Boys present. This had its own significance. A person of no less stature than Adam Rutherford, a writer and BBC broadcaster on DNA and the Origin of Man, once said that pubs are the place where the real work gets done. Although invariably gritty places, people exchange ideas and that’ s where big advances are often made.

While waiting for the food to be served, the conversation turned to Mr Reeler’ s forthcoming tenure, due to start shortly.

Mr Schroder quipped that when he retired, he felt hurt because ‘ Old Man time’ took his beloved School from him. But I’ m in no doubt that he concedes that he was succeeded by a worthy successor who has done a sterling job.

Mr Reeler has evoked divergent reactions in different people, but for most he has been the perfect gentleman, jovial, obliging and always accessible. No-one in his company is ever left in the cold. As many have observed, he has always shown a keen interest in the academic success of the School; his presence at various sports and cultural events has always been noticeable; and he has evoked immense loyalty from those around him. Further, he has instilled confidence in his supporters because he leads by example rather than precept. He does little on impulse and his decisions and actions are deliberately considered. No less significant, he has consistently pressed for an equitable society and indeed gone out of his way to support less-privileged boys under his watch.

Mr Reeler remarked at the lunch that he still had much to offer and hoped that he would not disappoint those who had selected him for his upcoming appointment.

A brave statement, even though he is still a young man. I think I should know. Aged 91, it took much anguish coming to terms with no longer being able to climb mountains. Yesterday, I even found it a bother walking up a stalled escalator. Mr Reeler has several decades before him and we wish him well.

To say that our School has been fortunate with its Headmasters’ underplays the care and trouble that respective governing bodies go to in choosing an incoming incumbent.

Well done to them and Messrs Schroder and Reeler. They have done themselves proud and we thank them greatly.

Sinclair Perry.
Class of 1945

Mr Reeler’ s comment:

Dear All

Many thanks for the email and thank you Sinclair for your kind words about Bill and me. It has been a privilege to have worked at this fine School of ours and I shall look back when I leave with great fondness! I do recall our Thunder Gun conversations!!

Kind regards
Tony

Mr Schroder’ s response:

Dear Sinclair

Good to hear from you, and, as always, your continued interest in Boys High is hugely appreciated.

Until the 1st XV beat Affies during my tenure, I was referred by some Old Boys as the new Headmaster and that was my comment to Tony that he would probably carry the same tag until the Ist XV beat Affies during his tenure. While it took 13 years for me to lose that tag it took Tony a mere 9.

There has never been doubt of Tony being a worthy successor and that he has done a sterling job. Further, I now have to acknowledge a 13 -9 defeat!

Warm regards to all.
Bill

Dear Friends,

I am always delighted to receive the latest issue of PBHSOB Newsletter and learn what’s been happening and what’s going to happen.

I follow the sporting results and news of how well our “Boys” are doing, here and in the big world. I always feel very proud to be an Old Boy. I have been living in KZN for over 40 years now, so this news is usually my ‘lifeline’.

However, there is usually also bad news included and sometimes it touches me personally. In this issue is the obituary for Ken Schmulow. I was a cohort of his younger brother, Derek. Derek and I spent five years in Solomon House together. Ken being older, was only there for three of those years, as he matriculated in 1971. Reading Eugene Ashton’s eulogy and him mentioning his father, who broke Ken’s nose, I guess that must have been Mark “Blik” Ashton. We had such interesting fellows at Solomon House and we were really a band of brothers, even if we did fight occasionally. I reiterate the essence of Eugene’s words about Ken, i.e. him being the epitome of a gentleman. That he was and I learned a lot from him. He often pointed to the little water colour painted sign in the old dining room, which said in fine calligraphy; “Manners Maketh Man”. He was and is, right.

I have not seen Ken for quite a while, not since the last time I was at an Old Boys’ event in Pretoria, nevertheless I shall miss him.

We all will, one way or the other. It must have been a tough way to go and even tougher for his family to watch it happen.

My most sincere condolences go to Ken’s wife and family and to his friends.

Devlyn Fraser
SOLOMON HOUSE
1969-1973

To the interested PBHOB reader

Thanks to Providence I still breathe and reflect as an OCTOGENERIAN

The myriad memories of my High School days start to pour in as I reflect.

The PHOBIAN does assist me with recounted tales and old photographs to remember those good old days.

Characters in this host of memories shall remain anonymous.

I was never an outstanding sportsman although I did play rugby for under 15 C (I guess that I was fat enough to fulfil that position on that day in the under 15 B team once since they were short of a lockforward.)

I was and still am a very sensitive and compassionate person.

Strange as it may seem I actually became an Orthopaedic surgeon, unlike the usual mould of my colleagues.

Mathematics was not my forte and I needed extra coaching from the late master E. Jones. His jibes certainly damaged my ego even more so when he exclaimed in class: “come on boys even Ginsberg has worked this problem out” or “Ginsberg do you understand? ”

Anti semitism may have been couched at school. Been asked where my camel was or the late Mr Moerdyk repeating the Little Red Riding Hood tale in altered form as Little Red Rubenstein. When she mentioned to the wolf about his big nose the wolf was reported to have replied: ”You should talk my grandchild ! “

Notwithstanding the slings and arrows I stand proud today still using my PNB BOOK thanks to the late Mr R.S Fair who in my mind was the epitome of a high school master. I had bumped into Mr Fair while I was living and studying fo my fellowship in Edinburgh and he was holidaying in Penicuick at the time.

I have lived and worked in Scotland, Pretoria as a GP, Israel, Johannesburg and now in Sydney, Australia since January 2000.

I lectured in First Aid in Hebrew in Israel, in English in Edinburgh and in Afrikaans at the Pretoria Tech.

I am proud to have a school friend from Brooklyn Primary School, PBHS and TUKKIES Med School in the form of Dr Cecil Trebot BARRY.

Today I do not hold a scalpel any longer and do a few Medico Legal examinations.

I work as a volunteer at the Montefiore Seniors Home in Randwick, SYdney and conduct an AFRIKAANS SPEAKING Group with ex-Pats.

Julien Ginsberg MBChB U.P. FRCSEd FCS[SA]Orth FRACS Orth

So sorry to hear about the passing of Ken who was in my Form 5D class in 1971.
I had the pleasure of meeting him again in 2011/2012 with our 40th re-union and sometimes corresponding with him in later years.
Cannot exactly remember which year we had that. I attach our Matric photo.
RIP old schoolmate.
George ” Fuzzy” Fazakas

DOUBLE DATE

The party was almost over. The house showed signs of a wild ‘ get together’ . The once clear carpets now crunched with fragments of chips and any number of other snacks. Spilt drinks had left sticky blotches on the tables and the remains of streamers and serviettes lay scattered around. Chairs stood in disorderly lines along the walls. Few chairs were being used, though, as everyone was dancing energetically in the centre of the room while the blasting music filled every corner of the house.

The song ended and everybody sat down exhausted. Suddenly the lights went off and some slow, romantic music came flowing out if the powerful speakers. The colourful crowds were transferred to dark silhouettes that murmured in approval of the sudden change.
Now’ s my chance! I thought I carefully made my through the dark to a specific silhouette; the silhouette of the girl I’ d been watching all night.

“Hi,” I said casually. “Wanna dance?”
“Sure. Why not?” came the reply. She sounded different. It was probably just because I was nervous, I thought. We strolled to the centre of the room. She put her arms around me and I placed my hands on her hips. We slowly rocked to and fro in time with the music. Go for it! I urged myself on.

” I’ ve been watching you all night,” I whispered.
” Really?” she replied. She did sound different.
” Yes,” I did. “You look very beautiful tonight; so beautiful in fact that at first I was too shy to invite you to dance. I’ m so glad I eventually did. You know, I’ ve always liked you. I just don’ t find it easy to be with pretty girls like you, even when I want to. It’ s a pity, because I would really like to get to know you better. Maybe we could even be more than just good friends, you know.” I felt my ears going hot with embarrassment. Oh well, I thought. You’ ve come so far; might as well finish it. I’ m sorry it has taken me so long to tell you this, but, I love you Karen!”

“Karen?” she giggled. “I’ m not Karen.” My heart stopped. I nearly collapsed in shock. It couldn’ t be, could it?

The song faded away and the lights clicked back on … Bronwyn.

Nicholas Kinghorn Form III F – The Pretorian 1989

IN MEMORIAM

CARL JOHANN STEGMANN (1976)

Carl Johann Stegmann (matriculated 1976) passed away suddenly on 3 August 2019.

Carl spent his early years after school serving in the South African Armoured Corps in Bloemfontein and later served in the Citizen Force in the Pretoria Regiment.

After leaving the SADF he obtained a BComm Honours Degree in Economics and Business Economics and spent his business life as Regional Sales Manager at Coverland Roof Tiles (Pty) Ltd and later as Sales and Marketing Director at Crown Company SA (Pty) Ltd, followed by Cobra Watertech (Pty) Ltd.

While his sons, Andrew (matriculated 2007) and Peter (matriculated 2011 ), were growing up he served on the Governing Body of Waterkloof Primary School for four years, was Chairman of the PTA for 7 years and organised the school junior soccer and cricket for 8 years.

He was passionate about Pretoria Boys High School and talked about how the school had gone from strength to strength since he was there. He so enjoyed attending the various music and sports events at the School.

Having always had a keen interest in politics and business Carl served as Chairman and organiser of the community security initiative and was a member of the local residents’ association. Currently he was a member of the Section 79 Civilian Oversight Standing Committee which meets on a monthly basis to address the safety and security in Tshwane as a whole.

He is best remembered by us as a family as a wonderful, loving, caring and supportive husband, father, brother and friend to many. He will be forever in our hearts Carol, Andrew and Peter Stegmann.

Kind regards.
CAROL STEGMANN

RODNEY JACK FALKSON (1958)

Right-hand batsman
Right-arm medium pace bowler
Educated Pretoria Boys High School

The Northerns Cricket Union is saddened to report the passing away of former captain, manager and selector Rodney Falkson at the age of 77 late last week.
Falkson was part of a batch of highly talented players – the likes of Jackie Botten, Syd Burke, Denis Lindsay, Glen Hall, Hylton Ackerman, Mike Macaulay, Trevor Goddard and Chris Dey – who took North-Eastern Transvaal into the A Section of the Currie Cup in the late 1960s.

Born in Pretoria in November 1941, Falkson led Northerns in the 1968/69, 1970/71 and 1972/73 seasons and was the oldest surviving regular captain of the team at the time of his passing. Contemporaries described him as playing hard cricket on the field, being very competitive in nature, his captaincy being formal but very shrewd and astute, bringing much success.

An allrounder who bowled right-arm seamers, for the province Falkson scored 843 runs in 29 first-class games at an average of 24.08, his highest score of 95 coming against Border in East London in 1969. He took 59 wickets at an average of 26.98, with best figures of seven for 40, also against Border at the same Jan Smuts Ground in East London in 1971.

After finishing his first-class career in 1973, Falkson continued playing for Harlequins club and this is where he arguably made his biggest contribution to Northerns cricket. Very knowledgeable on the game, Falkson served as the provincial manager and as a selector, and was always most helpful to youngsters in the nets. Northerns stalwarts like Alan Jordaan and Hein Raath have stated how much he did for their development.

“We would like to recognise the great contribution Rodney made to Northerns cricket, he served the union extremely well both on the field and as a hard-working member of Harlequins. He did a lot for the growth of the game in this province and we are tremendously sad at his passing,” Northerns Cricket Union CEO Dr Jacques Faul said.

” Notably, he was the first recipient of the Christie Vlok Award, which recognises an individual’s contribution to cricket within Northerns. May he rest in peace.”

OMPHILE THABANG MAROTHODI SEABELA (2007)

Thabang Omphile “Yaya” Seabela was born on the 30 April 1989 in Garankuwa.

He attended Assumption Convent Primary School, where he excelled in soccer and athletics, holding a few Pretoria athletics records in this time.

He later attended Pretoria Boys High School as a border in Solomon House. During his time at the school he was a memorable member of the First XV Rugby side, playing for 3 years (Give it to Tom!). He was also one of the top athletes in the school regularly being part of the top 10 athletes.

He was recognised for his abilities by the Blue Bulls, for whom he played since high school and later signing professionally with them. He was also part if the SA Schools’ XV and the U20 Springbok sides for 2008 and 2009.

After he played overseas in Ireland, Scotland, USA and finally in France where he spent most of his playing career.

After Rugby, he pursued his business ambitions in the mining industry until meeting his untimely passing.

He is survived by his loving parents (Gerald and Rahab Seabela), his sister (Tshidi), his two lovely nieces (Onthatile and Keaoleboga) and his greater community of loved ones and friends

PETER WINTON McCORMICK (1962)

OLD BOY REQUESTS

The PBHSOB Association Office often gets various requests from Old Boys, which are now displayed on the AlumNet portal.

Simply complete an application form. Once vetted, it will be placed on AlumNet 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.

Old Boy- Class of 1983 – to remain un-named for the moment, but disclosure on request.

Canvas for support in any way possible – financial, logistical, moral, all appreciated!

Those of you who knew my brother at high school – and then hear of where he is now – will be astounded (and so saddened) by how differently his life has turned out to where you last saw him – 36 years ago in matric. He was a ball of brains, aspiration, passion and lust for life. He had wonderful, happy years at school, and has always been deeply proud to have been a PBHS Boy… it meant the world to him.

2019, Newsletters

Issue 17 2019 – Newsletter