PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Dear Old Boy

Wayne Smith was in Hofmeyr House and matriculated from Pretoria Boys High School in 2008. He recalls that Mr Keith Mansfield, his Form IV and Matric English teacher, is probably the reason he ended up following a career path in the arts.” He is surely the reason I developed such a passion for language. I have a teary-eyed photo with him and some other friends pulling a ‘thumbs up’ just after our final assembly in Matric. I see it often, and it’s a reminder of some of the good times during those years! I also fondly miss Ms Prinsen, Mr Smuts, Ms Amanda van Zyl, and of course, our then Headmaster, Mr Bill Schroder.”

Wayne is an actor and the most notable work he has done has been the portrayal of BENJAMIN KOMOETIE SNR in the 2019 version of the Dalene Matthee classic, Fiela se Kind (dir. Brett Michael Inness, 2019).” I still remember reading the book with Mrs Robinson in Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele Taal at Boys High, and talking about ‘die een met die blou hempie aan’ . What an incredible honour and a privilege to have been able to portray this role, ten years later.”
Aside from that, he is also currently playing Anton in Kyknet’s Suidooster, which Wayne says has been a phenomenal experience. He has also been in one or twotv series, and has one or two more roles lined up.

Wayne is also a journalist, writer, voice artist, and radio presenter and as an actor, was recently asked ‘where it all began’ . “I immediately thought back to the first time I’d ever set foot on stage. It was in Form I, in the Abernethy Hall, and I had received a part in the annual production of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. I was to be playing HEN 3, and I had a sum-total of two very exciting and exhilarating lines – one in act 1, and the other in act 2. Needless to say, I switched them around on opening night, and created a whole bunch of confusion on stage. But we’ve all got to start somewhere!”

“The acting industry is one in which ego or arrogance can quickly rear its head. Fortunately, Boys High taught humility and pride – and this has carried through in all the work I’ve done. As is the school motto: Virtute et Labore, nothing good comes without a little bit of courage, and a lot of hard work.”

Wayne achieved half colours for academics at school and joined the Film Club when it started in Form IV. Wayne agrees that not many schools place the same care and attention towards the development of their students at Boys High does. “Not only when it comes to academics, but more importantly when it comes to being good, proper, functioning human beings and men in society.”

FIELA SE KIND:
REKORD PRAAT MET WAYNE SMITH

“Dit is die grootste eer en voorreg om deel te kon wees van die herlewing van Fiela se Kind,” verduidelik hy.

Fiela se Kind is Vrydag, 13 September 2019 landswyd te sien in teaters.

Ná 31 jaar sedert die eerste film, praat Rekord met die nuwe span akteurs wat die verhaal in ‘ n nuwe, vars lig plaas, gereed vir die nuwe generasie om die ikoniese verhouding tussen Fiela en Benjamin te sien.

Wayne Smith, ‘n voormalige leerder aan Pretoria Boys High School in die ooste van Pretoria, vertolk die rol van Benjamin Komoetie.

“Dit is die grootste eer en voorreg om deel te kon wees van die herlewing van Fiela se Kind,” verduidelik hy.

“Omdat dit so ‘n geliefde Suid-Afrikaanse storie is, en dit naby aan die harte van alle Suid-Afrikaners is, was dit ook ‘n groot uitdaging om die rol te vertolk.”

Drie dekades gelede was die verhaal van Fiela en Benjamin en ook die liefde tussen hulle redelik kontroversieël.

Wayne dink dat gehore van vandag steeds daarby sal aanklank vind.

“Baie van die temas, waardes en boodskappe in Daleen Matthee se oorspronklike teks, wat in die 1800’s afspeel, is steeds vandag relevant. Dis nou 2019, en hierdie storie moet weer vertel word. Ek hoop graag dat die rolprent gesprekke sal ontlok.”

Al die akteurs het dit beide uitdagend maar ook baie lekker ondervind om terug te gaan in tyd, om ‘n storie te vertel met soveel geskiedenis.

“Om ‘n periodestuk te doen is nie ‘n maklike taak nie: dit benodig ‘n authenticity, maar dit moet ook 100% akkuraat bly tot die era. Geen moeite was gespaar in die skepping van die waarheid en geloofwaardigheid van die era waarin die storie afspeel nie,” sê Wayne oor die produksiestel en verfilmingsproses.

“Visueel, het dit letterlik maande geneem om aan die voorkoms van Benjamin te werk. Hy het jare lank harde, fisiese werk gedoen, so daar was ‘n doelwit van fiksheid wat ek moes bereik. Die hare en die baard het saam vier maande geneem om uit te groei. Maar meestal, was die emosionele element van die karakter die grootste uitdaging van hierdie film vir my,” sê hy.

Dit sit nie in alleman se broek om op ‘n persoonlike vlak met jou karakter te identifiseer nie. Wayne verduidelik aan Rekord dat hy kort voor hy begin werk het aan Fiela se Kind, self deur ‘n emosionele ondervinding gegaan het, wat hom op die ou einde gehelp het met dié transformasie.

“Fiela se Kind is ‘n storie wat handel oor die onbreekbare band tussen ‘n ma en ‘n seun. ‘n Maand voor verfilming begin het, is beide my ma en beste vriendin oorlede. Om met my eie persoonlike verlies vrede te maak, en terselfdertyd Benjamin se wroeging te weerspieël, kan krap aan jou rou wonde. So, wel dit ontsettend moeilik was gedurende verfilming, in retrospek was die proses ook baie helend,” sê hy.

“Vir my is die hooftema van die verhaal oor identiteit en verlies, iets waarmee elke mens iewers in sy/haar lewe te doen kry. Dis waarom elke kyker iets merkwaardig sal wegdra,” sluit hy af. Om Wayne Smith in die ikoniese rol van Benjamin Sr te sien, kry jou kaartjies nou om Fiela se Kind in teaters te sien.

Source: Text

HISTORICAL RENDERING
OF THE REED ORGAN RETRIEVAL

In 2016 at our Sixty Years On Reunion, Warwick Krige (Rissik) our Head Boy in 1956, said to me that when he was living in Volksrust and the Presbyterian Church there finally closed its doors, he bought the reed organ on auction. He was sentimentally attached to the instrument, remembering how he used to fall asleep as a little boy when the old lady kept playing and pumping away at the pedals, apparently oblivious of how many hymn verses she had already droned through. Thus when Warwick moved to St. Lucia, the organ went with him.

Years later Warwick decided he wanted to donate the precious antique piece to the School and it required to be moved from coast to Capital. After many futile attempts to arrange transport through removal companies, I was speaking to Jan Sime (rpm tv editor, father of Ian, an ex-Affie married to Toni of the Pizza Restaurant) and Jan unhesitatingly offered to borrow Ian’s bakkie and fetch the very valuable instrument. Andre Hugo (Town House 1956) most generously unreservedly agreed to cover all costs involved.

With four single bed sponge mattresses strapped to the back, Jan, Paulos Hlatswayo and I set off at six on Tuesday 11th of June 2019 on operation organ transplant, arriving in St. Lucia at four that afternoon to the kind and attentive hospitality of Warwick and Elaine.

Wednesday morning was spent lifting and securing the fragile load, wrapping it in the mattresses and a heavy black plastic tarpaulin, thoughtfully provided by Warwick who had been watching the weather forecast. The afternoon was spent at Cape Vidal sharing the thrill of Paulos’ first ever view of the enormity of the Indian Ocean and the perpetual breaking waves on an unending beach with no other people! After encountering a rhino, a halfdozen hippos and enjoying Elaine’s super supper, we heard Warwick’s story of the Pipe Band’s first visit to Volksrust and Majuba.

At six the Thursday moning of 13th June we drove through pouring rain, sunshine and some potholes to arrive at the Bill Schroder Centre at ten past four to be welcomed by enthusiastic grounds staff and a delighted Mr. Philip Loots, resplendent in toga to start playing while Jan replaced the mirrors.

So rests this generous gift to be enjoyed and admired by generations of boys still to pass through the School, some of whom may want to follow the example of being thankful for what we have received from the Pretoria Boys High School.

– Trebot Barry (1956)

30 YEAR ON REUNION 2019
CLASS OF 1989

The class of ’89 got together over the last weekend in August to celebrate their 30 years on. The weekend started early on Friday morning, on the front lawns of Solomon House, with a morning tea. Although one could noticeably see some physical changes, the boys minds remained sharp and the heckling started early.

Mr Illsley took the party, of around 35 strong, partners included, for a “walk about” in the school grounds. At the steps of School House, Mr John Illsley was sharing a story about the school rose, which seemed to fall on deaf ears, as jabs were had at all the School House boys in the group. The noise level remained at a constant hum as the walk continued in the immaculate kept school grounds, evoking many stories from the past.

Keeping in the theme of reflection, we were very privileged and honoured to have the artist Duncan Stewart in our group and he shared the story behind the “The Whistle” sculpture on Polly Shorts. He created it for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and then donated to the school afterwards. The whistle was made as a symbol of self reflection and how such a small object could control the outcome of “a game”. One could look into this shiny objects and reflect back on the decisions that were made for us as well as those we made, be it good or bad.

A quick tour of the school museum, tea and then Friday Assembly, where Andrew Johnson, Head of School House in ’89, addressed the school. His words were inspirational and on point, reminding us to look after our bodies, stretch, and write a journal, that would help us reflect on how well or badly we dealt with life’s inevitable setbacks. Chris Eva followed up with a thought provoking reading. We were then spoilt with a school boy quartet. Lunch was served at Sommerville Cricket Pavilion where the boys caught up on the last 30 years. The night ended late at PHSOB Club.

On Saturday night we assembled once again at the Sommerville Cricket Pavilion, where our numbers swelled to 50 lads. We were addressed by Duncan Stewart, who made a great and difficult toast to South Africa and Giles Calenborne followed with a toast to the amazing school. It was then the turn of Mr Reeler, the Headmaster, who gave us an update on the school and shared some of his take outs from the Headmaster’s Annual Independent Boys’ Schools conference.

In my view, the weekend was a roaring success with many first-timers, who avoided the previous reunions, commenting on how the day was more about how you were doing as opposed to how well you are doing. Thanks to all that took time out and made the day a success.

Anthony Dyason
CONVENOR

TEACHERS DREAM RUGBY TEAM

Boys High is proud of its sport, particularly rugby, which is one of the school’s core elements. A long-standing tradition has developed to excel on the rugby field.

Here is the Boys High Teachers Dream Team:

1. Prop: Mr Wright (Wolverine)
2. Hooker: Mr Randall (The Red Hulk)
3. Prop: Mr van Reenen (The Angel)
4. Lock: Mr Schroder (Big Bill)
5. Lock: Mr Blackmore (Braveheart)
6. Flank: Mr Dorlas (Drill Sergeant)
7. Flank: Mr Ewart-Phipps (Special Ops.)
8. Eighth Man: Mr Hassenkamp (The ‘H’)
9. Scrumhalf: Mr Köhne (K-9)
11. Wing: Mr Tucker (Mafs Man)
12. Inside Centre: Mr O’Donoghue (O.D – Over Dose)
13. Right Wing: Mr Housdon (Touch Rugby Veteran)
14. Full Back: Mr Moodley (Mervin Two Minute Moodles, Curry Cup)

Water Boy: Mr Page (Horatio)
Coach: Mr Mansfield (F.I.G.J.A.M)
Quota: Mr Petje (Jeez Man, What are you Talking?!)
Substitute: Mr Loupos (Leonidas) Misha Janse van Rensburg, Byron O’Grady, David Dawson – Boys Highlights Number 12, May 2009

OLD BOYS IN THE NEWS

Lock describes carrying Zimbabwe’s flag at African Games Opening Ceremony as “proudest moment”

Zimbabwean tennis player Benjamin Lock described carrying his country’s flag at the Opening Ceremony of the 2019 African Games as “one of the proudest moments” of his life.

STAFF INTERVIEW

William Tshoshi has worked at Pretoria Boys High School for over 17 years. William started working at Pretoria Boys High School in 2003 through a cleaning contractor. In 2014 the school terminated the contact and William was offered a permanent position at the school.

Along with a number of other staff members, William was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the PBHSOB Association in 2019. Many Old Boys may recall William driving around campus with his golf cart greeting many boys by name. He takes great pride in his work and in 2014 the school gave him his golf cart which he told me is his “mini cooper”. Keeping within the law, his mini is even complete with a licence disk. It aptly states the date when he started at Pretoria Boys High and the date when he will retire from the school.

“I see the pupils at Boys High as my own children. Pretoria Boys High School is the mother and I am the father.” William boasts that he knows over 200 current school boys by name, and I believe him. He said it is good to know someone by name and explained that if for instance he was to see a school boy outside of the school grounds, they would be able to greet each other by name and that is important.

William loves Boys High and the first thing that struck him as remarkable when he came to the school were the manners that the boys display towards adults. “I want Boys High to grow bigger and bigger”. He said that he wants to encourage Old Boys who are at university, to return to the school and tutor some of the current pupils.

William reserves the left top corner of his mini’ s windshield for encouraging messages for the boys which he changes ever so often. “In the beginning of the year I welcome everyone back and now I have a special message for the matrics.”

– Editor

50 YEAR ON REUNION 2019
CLASS OF 1969

The Class of 1969 held its 50 year on reunion on 13 and 14 September 2019.

Friday’ s event was celebrated with a walk around the school grounds with John Illsley. John has a wealth of knowledge of the history of the school. His account reinforced the legacy the school left on our lives. One was enriched by the walk and was left with a deeper understanding of the School on the Hill.

At the special Friday Assembly, Pieter Hamman, from the Class of ’69 gave a wonderful talk to the school on the topic of dealing with change.

Our guests at lunch included Tony Wilkes, President of the Old Boys’ Association, Jason Webber, Chairman of the Association, Tony Reeler and Bill Schroder.

At the dinner on Saturday evening, Rob Rorich proposed toast to South Africa and Leyland Pitt proposed the toast to the school. Leyland spoke about the importance of luck in our lives. One appreciates how lucky we are to have been to the school..

The school is an even better institution than when we were boys 50 years ago.

David Bam
CONVENOR

LETTERS

I met Major Rehan “Kaine” Venter, a fighter pilot and flying instructor from 85 Combat Flying School, at Air Force Base Makhado in Limpopo at the end of July 2019.

I was part of a group of about 60 Moths that visited AFB Makhado, where Maj Venter gave us a very informative briefing on their fighter aircraft.

His neat appearance, language usage and personal bearing led me to enquire about his schooling. Yes, another fine Old Boy (2005 – Armstrong) who has done the School, where we learn to live, very proud.

The attached photograph was taken late that afternoon, just before we Moths formed up and held a Sunset Parade on the apron against the backdrop of the two fighters, the Gripen and the Hawk, which the staff had put on display for us.

Eddie Penzhorn (1964)

OLD BOY REQUESTS

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

Simply email the Association Office for 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.

Help Dusty Hugh Phelan (2010) Dusty was bitten by a juvenile Great White shark on Wednesday the 10th of July at 10:30am in Port Alfred South Africa,but thanks to our awesome community he was stabilized and taken to hospital in Port Elizabeth.

His hospital bills as well as the recovery ahead is going to cost in the region of R140 000.00.

Request for rugby equipment donation

I matriculated in 1994 (SUN) and was a Master from 2003 to 2006 when I taught English and Life Orientation. I worked alongside Mr. Greg Hassenkamp in Solomon House as an Assistant Housemaster and Mr. Bill Schroder as Headmaster. I am now working with the Uganda Rugby Union as Development Officer for Western Uganda based in Mbarara.

2019, Newsletters

Issue 18 2019 – Newsletter