PBHSOB ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
Dear Old Boy
FAREWELL FROM DR NIEL VAN DER WATT
The much loved and respected Head of the Music Department, Dr Niel van der Watt, retired on 30 November 2022 and asked that we share his farewell speech with all PBHS Old Boys who are very important to him.
An extract from the speech:
“I really just want to say thank you to a number of people, and groups of people. As the school has a natural hierarchy, I will start at the top. I have served under five headmasters since 1987. Those who know the school a little bit longer than the current Form 5s, will say, wait a minute, isn’t it just four? People who were not at the school a decade ago, will miscount because, nestled between Mr Schroder’s retirement and Mr Reeler’s arrival, Mr John Illsley had an intense, cameo-performance in the role of Headmaster for six months. My first thank you, goes to Mr Illsley. I honour and thank him not only for that short tenure but for more than two decades of being the Second Master of the school. He is the man who has kept everything together for so long that he might feel like a roll of duct- tape, tube of super-glue or a ball of prestick! Sir, you, the keeper of the traditions, history, moral backbone of the school, are not thanked enough. So, I do it publicly here on behalf of myself and everyone who has meant to do it but didn’t. Thank you, Sir!
Mr Malcolm Armstrong, the Headmaster of the 1970s and 1980s, I thank for appointing a young Afrikaner-boertjie with zero experience to teach English at PBHS. Imagine how big his heart was, how broad his mind and how truly tolerant he must have been to take this considerable risk. I thank him for giving me this opportunity and the wisdom that he imparted.
Mr Bill Schroder, I thank for appointing me as Head of Music in 1997. This was also an act of trust and kindness. I was but 35 years old, and though I was raised by the formidable Sylvia Reid for 10 years, I was still young and naïve. Thank you, Sir, for taking that risk. Thank you also for everything you have done for music at the school and what you have meant to me personally.
Mr Tony Reeler, a man of and for his time, is the one I thank for believing in music so much, that he convinced himself and everyone around him, to take out a loan in order to complete Mr Schroder’s vision of a Music, Technology and Media Centre. Thank you, Sir, for your extraordinary tenacity.
Mr Hassenkamp, I thank for allowing me to retire. He questioned my decision but accepted my explanation and quiet resolve. Thank you, Sir, for being everywhere: Orchestra, Choir, Big Band, Dixie Band and other rehearsals, music concerts, internally and everywhere else. Your support and enthusiasm does not go unnoticed. May all this continue for the next 20 years!
The next group of people I would like to thank are my colleagues in the music department, past and present. The names from the past will mean little to most of you, but I have to thank them because it is the right thing to do: Sylvia Reid, Lodewyk Potgieter, Mathilda Hornsveld, Abri Jordaan, Gudrun Melck to name but a few. These people were part of a large team who knew how to co-operate and had the same vision for music at the school. To the current music department, I have addressed them at a separate function, and I will not repeat what I said there, other than to thank them again for every little bit of care that they have taken with music and the boys. I will be forgiven if I single out one person: my long-time friend, right hand, left hand, centre piece, rear-guard and lantern on the road ahead, Yvonne Reyburn. We have LIVED the PBHS Music Department, and I can never adequately thank her for what she has done. Thanks Yvonne!
On the general staff I have many friends and I want to thank them all – You all made my life better. My wish for everybody is that you have many people like that in your daily life that will make your life better.
Then I want to thank the current boys, especially those in the music department. You represent the 498 boys, over my time here, who have matriculated with music as a subject. You and they are the reason that I have stayed at the school so long, why I get up in the morning, why I compose lots of music and why I have had so much fun as a teacher. I am not going to name any individual because we each have our own memory of the time we shared: maybe it was a serious disagreement (if it was, I hope that you have learnt something from it, even if it only was that teachers also have limits); it it was some music that we shared, I hope you will remember it forever; if it was realising that you could do more, or better, I hope you will. I know I will be surprised by random memories in years to come – thank you for becoming part of my memories.
The last and most important group that I want to thank are the Old Boys who I call my friends, or sons, depending on the day or circumstances. I am friends with Old Boys who were in my first Dixie Band who are only 7 or 8 years younger than me. So we are old ballies together now. But there are others who 18, 28 and 38 or 40 years younger than me – I have just gone hiking with such an Old Boy last weekend. They are not here today, although some of them may have snuck into the Assembly today, but I would still like to thank them for they have meant a great deal to me in the past and they continue to enrich my life. To you it is not goodbye, we will just meet in a different location – see you later”. Dr Niel van der Watt.
Any Old Boy who would like to stay in contact with Dr Van der Watt can ask the Old Boy’s office for his email address.
DEVELOPING TOMORROW’S LEADERS TODAY
A message from campaign manager, former PBHS Headmaster Mr Bill Schroder:
Dear Old Boys and Friends of the School
Best wishes from the Campaign Office for a happy, healthy and successful 2023.
The campaign has just completed its first year. We have received R6.56 million in cash and pledges, a further R4.5 million has been transferred into an investment account with Investec (specially designed for our needs) and we are about to transfer a further R1 million into that account. For 2023 we have 60 boys on bursaries largely sponsored by Old Boys and former parents, with a value of over R5.5 million.
I am so grateful to all who have contributed and pledged during the course of the year. We have had a relatively good but slow start to the campaign, fully aware of the difficult economic situations, not only here in South Africa but all around the world. To date I have used branch and 2002 reunion databases and will be doing the same for 2023. However, you do not need to wait to hear from me – should you feel that this initiative is something with which you can identify and would like to support, drop me a mail and I will send you a formal letter with a pledge form.
Sally de Beer, who runs the Old Boys office at the School, will be assisting me so you can contact her as well should you need any information. A misconception about this kind of fundraising is that only sizeable donations are needed. For example, a modest monthly debit order for five or ten years equates to a generous end result. For those who have received a letter and it has been misplaced, we will attach a generic updated letter for your convenience.
Please do let Sally or me know if you do not intend to support this worthy cause so that I do not continue to pester you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Bill
ANOTHER HEARTWARMING MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM A PBHS OLD BOY – MR MIKE LEEMHUIS (CLASS OF 1971)
An introductory message from Mr Bill Schroder:
Mike Leemhuis and I first met in 2005 and it is wonderful to have him back on board again. I am also pleased to have persuaded him to write his story as I think it will resonate with many of you. I hope that the challenge he has made to all Old Boys (unsolicited) will be responded to. The 18 years in which he has donated a total of R2.6 million and has made a difference in the lives of roughly 35 boys, a number of whom he has assisted for the full five years, is remarkable. I don’t think either he or I realised how much he had donated until some adding up was done. Thank you, Mike, from all associated with Boys High.
In addition, Mike is sharing the conduit he has used and would enable Old Boys in the US to donate easily and in doing so to receive a tax break. The link is:
Scroll down on that link until you find the Boys High badge and follow the instructions.
Enjoy the story
Bill
My PBHS story … by Mike Leemhuis (Class of 1971)
Background
Like many of you reading this, I was one of the lucky ones! Lucky, because I lived in the “official catchment area” to attend Pretoria Boys High School. Having attended Arcadia primary and then Sunnyside Primary, I was always destined to attend Boys High. No big deal … it was just where I was going to spend my high school years. No big deal because I didn’t know any better. Neither my grandparents nor parents had completed high school, so going to high school for me was part of a new experience growing up.
My upbringing was modest, with both my parents working … my father was a plumber working for the SARS and my mother was a bookkeeper, working for a local company called Reunet and Lenz. We never had much money to speak of, but my brother Peter and I were always well cared for. Winter uniforms at PBHS were always a challenge because of the “hand me downs” we had to wear … well-worn grey flannels and used blazers with patches on the sleeves always reminded us of where we came from. School and book fees, although a challenge for my parents, always got paid in full and on time … something my bookkeeping mother insisted on.
My time at Boys High was a delightful blur … I managed to fail std 6 in 1966 and barely managed to scrape out of school with a B-Stream pass in 1971. I came to find out in later years that I have ADHD … something my eldest son and I still deal with today. Academically, nothing really interested me except History. That said, there were several teachers at Boys High that kept my interest and in later years would influence my decision to become a schoolteacher … Tallie van Aswegen, Eddie Dory, Terrance Ashton and of course the great Mr. Desmond Abernethy to name a few. I participated in some sports … league cricket, athletics (100 and 200m) and then in my matric year I was a member of the first water polo team at Boys High. My two best friends at school were Philip Theunissen and Terence Devlin. I remember my times at Boys High fondly and on reflection wish I had done more.
After matriculating I went to the army, and during this time befriended the head boy of our 1971 matric class, Graham Martin-Casalis who was serving in the same unit as me in the army. It was after a discussion with Martin and seeing how unhappy my parents were with their career choices that I committed myself to a career in sport. At that time, for someone with a B Stream matric the only option was a teaching diploma done at the Johannesburg College of Education … which I did and enjoyed. After four years and a least one teaching practice at Boys High I was offered a teaching position at King Edward VII school. That was the start of a wonderful career in sport, even though my time in teaching was short lived. What followed was a certification as a tennis coach, a certified member of the PGA of South Africa and America (now a Master Professional) and a Masters Degree in Education done in the US. I married my American wife in 1981 and here we are still married 40 years later … two successful children and a wonderful career to reflect on.
Giving Back
In 1999 I was appointed as the CEO of the famous Congressional Country Club in the suburbs of Washington DC. A wonderful private club with a storied history of politics and golf … five US presidents were founding members of the club back in 1923 along with numerous other dignitaries like Charlie Chaplin, Rockefeller, etc. Congressional has also been the event host to numerous PGA Tour events, PGA Championships and US Opens golf events. It was during this time at Congressional that I decided it was time to give back to Boys High. With the help of the Congressional, Rich Davies, Johan Immelman (father of Trevor), Headmaster Bill Schroder and famed golfer Tiger Woods I was able to start a fund to send US$ to the school to help finance boys at the school that had needs.
I remember discussing with Bill Schroder that I wanted the money to go to assisting with school fees, books and boarding as needed by these young gentlemen. Over the years this fund has helped quite a few boys I am happy to report. The idea was to get them into the funding programme early and carry them through their years at Boys High. Each year boys were added and others in the programme graduated … but the process would continue. Every quarter I would receive a note from each boy in our group as well as an update on his grades for the designated period … this communication was the highlight of my year. Sometimes I got letters from parents expressing their gratitude … that really brought me to tears! This continued for about 12 years, except for a lapse the last few years due to my retirement and the start up of my new consulting company.
But I am back this year to help Bill with his campaign and to continue to assist the future leaders of South Africa. I have been living in the US now a long time, but still fell very connected to my roots. Whenever back home in SA visiting friends and family I always make a point of visiting the school and seeing “my boys”. I am hoping that my story will resonate with other “old boys” living outside of the borders of South Africa and cause them to reflect on how they might take advantage of the current exchange rate to assist our future leaders at Pretoria Boys High School. Over the years this small fund has generated around R2.6 million and helped 35 boys. Not bad for a small idea that started around the game of golf! I’d welcome calls or emails from any old boy who has questions or who would like to assist. There are usually generous tax rules about giving, certainly here in the US and I assume in other countries as well. I’m challenging all international old boys to get involved and help with this very worthy cause. Thanks and stay safe! – Mike Leemhuis
OLD BOYS’ SUMMER SPORTS DAY
The first Old Boys event of 2023 was Summer Sports Day on Saturday, 14 January and it was a fun-filled hot summer’s day which was enjoyed by boys, masters, old boys and their families.
The following activities took place:
Cultural activities: Chess, Debating, Fantasy War Games, Photography and Sketching.
Sport: Water Polo (12 matches), Cricket (9 matches), Basketball (5 matches), Football (3 matches), Squash, Tennis, Cross Country, Fencing, Table Tennis and Climbing.
Congratulations to Old Boy Wesley Black who obtained 600 points in the climbing event, putting him in 1st place.
PBHS’s tennis coach Mr Gerald Stoffberg arranged the tennis matches between the Boys and Old Boys. Players in the back row from left to right: B Fanjek, C Elsenbroek, I Allusala, K Ranamane, K Ramokgopa, J Nel, A Micklesfield, R Brookshaw and W Megaw. Front row from left to right: G Stoffberg (coach), C Spedding and R de Villiers.
Old Boys of all ages, including a gent who matriculated in 1962, took part in the 4.5km cross country race which aptly started at the bottom of suicide hill). Congratulations to Old Boy James Seeliger who was first across the finish line, followed closely by PBHS’s Hiro Keet and Old Boy Murendeni Netshituka.
Football, basketball and water polo proved to be firm favourites for both participants and spectators with the first team matches at 10:00, 11:00 and 12:35 drawing big crowds and loud war cries from the Boys.
Football 1st teams PBHS 3 Old Boys 2; Basketball 1st teams – Old Boys 45 PBHS 25; Water Polo 1st teams Old Boys Seniors 16 PBHS 2
The first XI Cricket match was played on Saturday 7 January, 2023 at PBHS and the result was Old Boys 1st XI – 184 all out and PBHS 1st XI – 129 all out.
Cultural activities are encouraged at PBHS and the various activities on offer at the Summer Sports Day were as popular with the Old Boys as they were with the Boys.
Spectators at the cricket and water polo matches came in different forms!
PBHS OLD BOY IS 2ND RUNNER-UP AT MR SOUTH AFRICA EVENT
PBHS old boy Thabang Khatide (Arcadia, 2016) made us proud by achieving 2nd runner-up status at the Mister South Africa event on Saturday, 10 December 2022 at the Indaba Hotel, Fourways. Born and bred in Pretoria and raised in Mamelodi, Thabang matriculated from Pretoria Boys High School in 2016. He is a professional model, actor and motorbike enthusiast.
PRETORIA BOYS HIGH SCHOOL EVENTS IN FEBRUARY 2023
Water Polo Festival
The Water Polo Festival took place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th February 2023. Teams from the following schools took part – PBHS, Affies, Jeppe, KES, Parktown, St Albans, Pretoria Invitational Team, St Johns, St Benedicts and St Stithians.
PBHS Headmaster, Mr Greg Hassenkamp, said of the tournament: “It is always a pleasure to host schools from around the country over a weekend of healthy competition. This festival is different from many others in the country in that we do not keep logs and tables and there are no playoffs or a winning team. This, instead, is an opportunity for participation of all players without the pressure of a result and for coaches to experiment and try new things without the pressure of winning. A rare opportunity in today’s sporting world.
SA20 League match between the Pretoria Capitals and the Durban Super Giants
On Sunday 5 February 2023 Pretoria Boys High School’s cheerleaders, Dixie Band and Gumboot Dancers took Boys High’s energy to the stands of the cricket SA20 match between the Pretoria Capitals and the Durban Super Giants at Centurion. Despite “bringing the vibe” and the boys’ best efforts, Durban Super Giants won by 151 runs.
PBHS Old Boys playing in the League:
Aidan Markram https://www.instagram.com/aidenmarkram/
Donovan Ferreira https://www.instagram.com/donovan164/
Corbin Bosch https://www.instagram.com/corbinbosch14/
Simon Harmer https://www.instagram.com/simon_harmer/
IN MEMORIAM
LOUIS LEGAT (1946-2022)
Sadly, we announce the passing of Louis Legat, former PHOBIAN
Many old boys will remember Louis as a passionate and professional PBHSOB club estate manager, a role he held for many years. Louis joined PHOBIANS as a runner in the late ‘80s. During his time with the club, he served and chaired the running club section committee and the PBHSOB club committee with great enthusiasm.
Louis’ life can only be described as an adventure.
Louis, the oldest of three boys, was born Alois Legat in Hartburg, Austria in 1946. His family were farmers and lived in the village of Bad Waltersdorf. The family farmed pigs, fruit, and vegetables. Louis spoke fondly of when he was a boy, the family pig farm, and the long truck trips with his father to Munich to sell their produce. He left home in his early teens, as was common at the time, to attend hotel school where he studied to be a chef. Later in life, he would use these skills to feed and entertain many of the PHOBIANS runners at the Loskop Ultra and on the days when Louis and Shirley hosted the Tuesday night running club.
In the early 60’s Louis found himself in swinging London. We have several photographs of a dapper and fashionable Austrian walking on Carnaby street and the like. He worked on the Channel Islands for a brief period and did several seasons as a ski guide in St. Anton.
In the late 60’s the growth of the modern hotel industry in South Africa had just started. Louis came out to South Africa with a contingency of Europeans to help accelerate the growth of the industry. Louis was never scared of the unknown and always saw the potential opportunity over potential obstacles. He joined the Boulevard Hotel in Pretoria where he would work for the next 16 years. He would later lead the hotel as General Manager and significantly impact the business and its employees.
Louis met Shirley Brough in 1970, and they married in 1972. Andrew was born two years later, and Samantha was born in 1977.
Louis left the Boulevard in 1984. I remember it being a sad time for our family; as a 10-year-old I grew up at the Boulevard. I recall, for many years afterward, Louis’ ex-colleagues and employees from all walks of life would visit us in our Hatfield home to thank him for what he had given them. They would often bring their family with them. Louis enjoyed these visits immensely. He was always incredibly humble; he loved people and loved to spend time sharing stories. Louis went on to become an entrepreneur in the restaurant and catering industry in Pretoria.
Louis was an avid smoker as any Austrian farmer. He was known for tapping a fresh Camel plain on his cigarette box every few minutes. He kicked the habit in the mid ‘80s. Quitting nicotine led to weight gain, which led to Louis joining Run/Walk for life. Louis was disciplined, stubborn, and competitive, traits needed by an endurance athlete. Six years later, Louis ran his first Comrades marathon. Always in PHOBIANS colours, he would complete six Comrades, six Oceans, countless Ultras, and countless standard distance events. Many years later, PHOBIANS would honor Louis with a lifetime membership.
He was always a member of the inner circles and was a key member of the Tuesday night Running Club and the Burns Night Ten to mention a few. Often these memberships involved food and entertaining. Old boys and friends fondly recall the Paellas in the Weber lunches and the German sausages for Louis’ birthday each year at the Loskop Ultra.
In 2009 Louis became Estate Manager at the Old Boys club. He was an avid gardener and was immensely fond of the club. Again, during his time with PHOBIANS, he formed lifelong friends and often expressed his privilege to serve the members and Old Boys Association. He made a significant contribution to running the club and establishing sound food business principles. He was especially fond of the club’s association with the School. He talked with emotion about the school and reveled in the opportunity to serve the Old Boys Association and the School at the annual Years On events.
He loved the school as an old boy.
At this time, Mr. Bill Schroder had embarked on the school hall fundraising initiative and had moved into an office at the club. By all accounts from Bill and Louis, many engaging conversations ensued between the two men.
When Louis stopped running, he took up bowls at PHOBIANS. He brought his competitiveness to the green as I am sure many bowlers will remember. His weekend bowls performance was evident in his mood on Sunday afternoons.
In 2017, Louis and Shirley moved to kloof, KZN. His association with the club continued but, for the first time in decades, he no longer played a direct role in its affairs. In short order, he joined Hillcrest Bowling Club and took up the position of Bar Manager. Several of the Hillcrest members related their experience of Louis to me with fondness. In a brief time, he made an impact on many of their lives. He proceeded to serve at Hillcrest as he did at the Boulevard Hotel, as he did on the Arcadia Primary PA, as he did at Christ The King Catholic Church in Queenwood, and as he did at PHOBIANS.
My father’s life was a never-ending adventure, and he a brave adventurer, from Waltersdorf, Styria, to Kloof KZN. We are privileged to have been a part of it and to have been a witness to it.
He will be sorely missed by many.
Submitted by his son, Andrew Legat
THE OLD BOYS CLUB
Visiting or living in Pretoria? Remember to visit the Old Boys Club in Lynnwood for a cold one and a delicious bite to eat!
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