2026 REUNIONS
Celebrating a milestone reunion this year?
All Old Boys from the Classes of 1966, 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016 are welcome to attend their reunions in the School’s 125th Anniversary year. All reunions are being celebrated on Friday, 5th June 2026 and ticket sales are still open.
10 Years-On : The Class of 2016
Date: Friday, 5th June 2026
Time: 19:00 for 19:30
Place: PHSOB Old Boys’ Club, 378 Queens Crescent, Lynnwood
Payment link: https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/10-year-on-reunion-2026
The host will be former Headmaster Anthony Reeler and the reunion convenor is 2016’s Head Prefect Matthew Glover.
20 Years-On : The Class of 2006
Date: Friday, 5th June 2026
Time: 18:30 for 19:00
Place: Abernethy Hall, Pretoria Boys High School
Payment link: https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/20-year-on-2006-friday
The host will be Deputy Headmaster Chris Oldnall and the reunion convenors are Gareth Sanders and Tannah Matus.
30 Years-On : The Class of 1996
Date: Friday, 5th June 2026
Time: 18:30 for 19:00
Place: Abernethy Hall, Pretoria Boys High School
Payment link: https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/30-years-on-class-of-1996
The host will be Deputy Headmaster Chris Oldnall and the reunion convenor is 1996’s Head Prefect John Smit.
40 Years-On : The Class of 1986
Date: Friday 5th June 2026
Time: 18:30 for 19:00
Place: Dining Hall, Pretoria Boys High School
Payment link: https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/40-years-on-2026
The host will be Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp and the reunion convenor is 1986’s Head Prefect Antony Goedhals.
50 Years-On : The Class of 1976
Date: Friday, 5th June 2026
Time: 18:30 for 19:00
Place: Sommerville Pavilion, Pretoria Boys High School
Payment link: https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/50-years-1976-friday
The host will be Second Master Craig McBride and the reunion convening team is led by 1976’s Head Prefect Ian McMillan.
60 Years-On : The Class of 1966
Date: Friday 5th, June 2026
Time: 12:30 for 13:00
Place: Bowling Green Marquee, PHSOB Club, Lynnwood
Payment link: https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/60-years-on-lunch-2026
The host will be former Second Master John Illsley and the reunion convenor is Mr Owen Frisby on behalf of Head Prefect Louis van Schaik.
INTERNATIONAL REUNIONS
We are thrilled to announce that the Old Boys’ Association has arranged for Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp to attend three international reunions in Australia and New Zealand in celebration of the School’s 125th Anniversary. In addition, the newly established Florida (USA) Chapter will be holding their inaugural Old Boys’ Dinner next month.
Australia
๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ก๐๐ข๐ก – ๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐ง๐
All Perth Old Boys are warmly invited to reconnect and share in the spirit of Pretoria Boys High School at a special reunion with Headmaster, Mr Greg Hassenkamp.
Date: Thursday, 2 July 2026
Time: 18:00 for 18:30
Venue: Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club
Kindly RSVP to Eddie at pbhsobwa@gmail.com
๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ก๐๐ข๐ก – ๐ฆ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐๐ฌ
All Sydney Old Boys are invited to join Headmaster, Mr Greg Hassenkamp, for a memorable Old Boys’ Reunion as we celebrate the enduring brotherhood of Pretoria Boys High School.
Date: Saturday, 4 July 2026
Time: Arrivals from 16:00, dinner at 18:00
Venue: The Greenwood Hotel, North Sydney
Kindly RSVP to Michael at michael@tgbc.net
New Zealand
๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ก๐๐ข๐ก – ๐๐จ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐
All PBHS Old Boys based in New Zealand are warmly invited to reconnect with fellow alumni and meet Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp at a special Old Boysโ Reunion.
Date: Saturday, 11 July 2026
Time: 18:00
Venue: Auckland Grammar School
RSVP: Jacques van Heerden @ jacquesvh@gmail.com
We look forward to a memorable evening of camaraderie and shared PBHS tradition.
Florida, USA
All Old Boys living in or near Florida in the United States are invited to the newly established Florida Chapter’s Inaugural Old Boys’ Dinner so that you, too, will get an opportunity to celebrate the School on the Hill’s 125th Anniversary.
Please join the founders, Shaun Gouws (2006, Solomon) and Garren Bisschoff (2003, School) for an evening of reconnecting and celebration as follows:
Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026
Time: 18:00 EST
Venue: The River House, 2373 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens
Price: $100 per person
Attire: Business casual
Please RSVP by 1 May to garren.bisschoff@gmail.com or shaun.gouws@gmail.com
125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
OLD BOYS’ DINNER AT TUKS SPORTS CENTRE – 6TH JUNE, 19:00
The tickets for the Old Boys’ Dinner on Saturday 6 June 2026 at the Rembrandt Hall, Tuks Sports Centre, are almost sold out. With our capacity set at 1200 guests, we currently have approximately 90 tickets available. In order to snap up the last few tickets, please contact Sally at the Association Office to make arrangements – info@pbhsob.com / 012-4602246 x 200.
FREE TICKETS TO ATTEND THE LAST POST, CONCERT AND ASSEMBLY
Other NOT-TO-BE-MISSED events that are taking place at the School between 4 to 6 June 2026 are:
4 June 17:15 for 17:30
The Last Post will, as always, be played at 17:30 in front of the School. All Old Boys and partners are welcome to attend.
4 June 18:00
Paul Anthony & Band Concert, Abernethy Hall. All Old Boys and partners are welcome to attend.
5 June 09:30 for 10:00
Assembly in front of the School. All Old Boys and partners are welcome to attend.
In order to ensure sufficient seating and catering at the above events, all intending to attend are requested to “purchase” free tickets using the below links (including reunion & dinner attendees who have already indicated their attendance when purchasing tickets – apologies for the inconvenience). It is not necessary to produce the tickets on arrival, this is purely for the purpose of calculating attendance numbers.
Last Post – https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/attendance-at-last-post-4-june-2026
Concert – https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/paul-anthony-band-concert
Assembly – https://pbhsoba.alumnet.co.za/Event/assembly-on-5th-june-2026-at-10253A00
OLD BOYS’ GOLF DAY – 18 MARCH 2026
What a day at the PBHS Old Boys Golf Day! โณ๏ธ
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible community of old boys, parents, and friends who showed up in full support and made our first Old Boys’ Golf Day in over a decade such a standout success.
Your energy and enthusiasm have secured its place back on our annual calendar โ and we couldnโt be more excited!
Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp, Deputy Headmasters Joanna Holliday and Chris Oldnall, and Association Chairman Jason Webber attended the prizegiving and auction on Wednesday evening where the Boys High spirit was on full display. Few Old Boys escaped Master of Ceremonies Adam Hayes’ banter.
We are deeply appreciative to everyone who generously donated prizes and auction items, as well as the Old Boys who enthusiastically placed successful bids on those exceptional offerings.
Thanks to you, all proceeds will go towards making the Old Boys Dinner on 6 June an unforgettable celebration. We canโt wait to see you all there! โค๏ธ๐ค๐
Rob Dalton & James Lourens
Murray Rogers (2024 Rissik, Head Prefect) & Jamie Andrew (1990 Rissik)
Joanna Holliday, Greg Hassenkamp and Jason Webber
John Smit (1996 Rissik) & Bruce van Wyk (1998 Solomon)
NEW APPOINTMENT TO PBHSOB ASSOCIATION
Monique van Heerden appointed as Alumni Relations Officer
We are pleased to announce that the Old Boys’ Association has welcomed a new staff member, Monique van Heerden, who accepted the position of Alumni Relations Officer as from 20 April 2026. Monique will be working with Sally de Beer at the Association’s office at Pretoria Boys High School.
Monique describes herself as follows:
“Iโm a creative at heart, with a deep passion for people and storytelling. For the past 21 years, Iโve built my career as a photographer and creative, specialising in families, weddings, and corporate work, capturing moments in a way that feels honest and meaningful. My work has always been about more than just images, itโs about connection, emotion, and creating an experience where people feel comfortable and seen.
Alongside my photography, I co-manage Studio Alora, a natural light studio space designed to inspire creativity and collaboration. I thrive in environments where people can come together, share ideas, and build something special. When Iโm behind the camera, working with clients, or creating spaces for others, my focus is always on fostering connection and community.
Iโm also a proud parent with a son currently at the school in Rissik House, which adds a meaningful personal connection to this community. I value authenticity, relationships, and creating opportunities for people to feel part of something bigger. My goal in any space Iโm part of is to help build a strong, welcoming community where people feel at home, genuinely connected and can celebrate their shared history.”
Old Boys attending the 125th Anniversary festivities between 4 – 6 June will get an opportunity to meet Monique.
Monique van Heerden – Alumni Relations Officer
Old Boys’ Fencing
On 21st of March, several Old Boys competed at the 2026 GFA Varsity League Ranking 1 competition.
The 2022 PBHS fencing captain and former coach at PBHS fencing, Jason Visser, achieved gold in the senior epee category. Jason is currently completing his BScHons in Sport Science at the University of Pretoria.
The 2025 PBHS fencing vice-captain, Gianpaulo Alvares, achieved silver in the U/20 epee category and bronze in the senior epee category.
Both Jason and Gianpaulo are members of the Tuks Fencing team.
Congratulations!
Jason Visser (2022 Armstrong) and Gianpaulo Alvares (2025 Matheson)
A visit from Jeppe Boys Association
Strengthening Old Boy ties in a special year for Boys High ๐ค
On Friday 6 March, the Jeppe Boys Association visited Pretoria Boys High School to meet with the PBHS Old Boys Association and the schoolโs Advancement Office team.
Chairmen Jonathan Hurvitz (Jeppe) and Jason Webber (PBHSOB) agreed that the meeting โ the second between the two associations โ was both productive and mutually beneficial, further strengthening the connection between Jeppe and Boys High.
In Pretoria Boys High Schoolโs 125th anniversary year, it is particularly meaningful to continue building relationships between two of South Africaโs great boysโ schools and their alumni associations.
PBHSOB Association & Jeppe Boys Association Chairmen
A Visit to Chalkie Sommerville
Recently, retired Second Master John Illsley, accompanied by Jaap van der Vegte (former PBHS head of Science), visited the legendary Paul โChalkieโ Sommerville in Franschhoek.
A copy of the revised Boys High history was presented to Chalkie, who was delighted to receive it and to spend time reminiscing. Mr Illsley said, “It was a special and meaningful visit to one of Boys Highโs true greats”.
The book, together with other 125th Anniversary memorabilia, is available online via the QR code hereunder.
L-R: Jaap vd Vegte, Chalkie Sommerville, John Illsley
QR code to purchase 125th Anniversary memorabilia online
GRADE 8 2027 APPLICATIONS – EXPRESSION OF INTEREST BY OLD BOYS (DAY SCHOLARS)
The Admissions Office of Pretoria Boys High School has asked us to disseminate the following information to our Old Boys:
“We kindly invite those who have a son or grandson intending to apply for Grade 8 in 2027 as a day scholar to complete an Expression of Interest form (please scan the code on the poster below). This enables us to record your intention to apply and to reserve a place with the Department of Education on your behalf.
Please note that we are regrettably unable to secure placement with the Department of Education once their formal application process has commenced.
For applicants wishing to be considered for boarding, the electronic application form is available on our website at www.boyshigh.com. Kindly be advised that boarding applications close in May 2026.
Should you require any further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Cameron at admissions@boyshigh.com before 31 May 2026.”
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND NEWS SNIPPETS
Athletics
๐ฃ We have a new school record!
Our athletes were in Stellenbosch for the senior ASA Track and Field Championships, and Melvin Mashishi chopped another 18 seconds off his u19 5000m school record with an amazing time of 14:18.29 which is currently the 34th fastest u20 5000m in the world this year.๐ฅ
He was just ten seconds away from the Junior World Championships qualifying time of 14:08, and he placed 10th amongst the countryโs best senior men. โญ๏ธ
Heโs in the same age group next year. Remember the name, Melvin Mashishi.
Melvin Mashishi
Text & photo courtesy of PBHS social media
Easter Rugby Festival – 4 & 6 April 2026
๐ The Pretoria Boys High Easter Rugby Festival delivered something truly remarkable. A celebration of 125 years of excellence, marked by outstanding schoolboy rugby, great support, and an unforgettable atmosphere on Brooks Field.
A sincere thank you to our sponsors, players, coaches, supporters, ground staff, and everyone behind the scenes who made this festival what it was.
Until next time.
Nomads Hockey Festival 28-30 March 2026
๐ ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ.
From the early morning build-up to the final whistle, the ๐ก๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น delivered moments that will stay with players, supporters, and schools long after the last game. Big tackles, clinical finishes, shared laughter on the sidelines, and that unmistakable sense of camaraderie throughout.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐.
A sincere thank you to our valued sponsors and partners whose support made it all possible, helping create an experience that goes far beyond the field.
PBHS BUSINESS CLUB
Early in March 2026, the PBHS Business Club had the privilege of welcoming Old Boy Steve Briggs (Class of 1994) as our guest speaker.
Mr Briggs shared valuable insights into the telecommunications industry and the growth of FibreTime in South Africa, offering the boys a fascinating look into one of the countryโs fastest-evolving sectors.
Beyond the business landscape, he spoke candidly about his own journey, sharing his testimony, the lessons he has learnt along the way, and practical advice for anyone considering starting their own business. His message left the boys both inspired and motivated as they begin to think about their own futures.
Old Boy Steven Briggs (1994 School) addressed the Business Club
Text & photo courtesy PBHS social media
A proud moment for PBHS at the Van Huyssteens Oratorical Festival
Our Boys High Redenaars took part in this prestigious event, competing against some of the top Afrikaans speakers from across Pretoria. With strong competition from schools such as Affies, Waterkloof and Menlopark, our boys rose to the occasion.
We are especially proud to announce that two Form IV boys, Andrรฉ Roets and Caleb Oosthuizen, advanced to the finals, finishing in the top 3. This is a rare achievement, and a proud moment for the school to have two speakers in the final.
Congratulations to Andrรฉ and Caleb on this outstanding accomplishment – we are incredibly proud of you both.
Andrรฉ Roets and Caleb Oosthuizen
Text and photo courtesy PBHS social media
IN MEMORIAM
NICHOLAS DEAN OEHLEY (2008 RISSIK)
February 24, 1990 โ February 8, 2026
Our beloved Nick passed peacefully into God’s arms on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 10:35 a.m. Eastern Standard Time in Canada. He was 35 years old.
After fighting cancer with a courage that humbled us all, he was finally free from pain, surrounded by family who loved him beyond measure. Even after life support was withdrawn, his strong heart kept beating for more than 40 hours.
That was Nick. Determined. Strong. Never giving up.He was born on February 24, 1990, at Johannesburg General Hospital, From the very beginning, he was our precious son, bringing joy and light into our lives.
Nick grew up in Lonehill and began at Lonehill Nursery School, where his friendship with Lloyd first began, a bond that would last a lifetime. He was fast on anything with wheels, curious, playful, and wholesomely mischievous.
He loved animals and showed an adventurous spirit even as a small boy. At St Peter’s Preparatory, that adventurous streak truly took hold. At just ten years old, Nick earned his PADI Open Water diving qualification, embracing both the thrill and the responsibility of scuba diving. He loved the water. Swimming, canoeing, diving. It called to something deep within him.
At Pretoria Boys High, he formed close friendships with Max, Justin, Chase, Gomsi and others that remained strong throughout his life.
After school, he spent three years at the University of Johannesburg studying Hospitality Management. There, his natural gift for connecting with people and making them feel welcome began to shape his professional path.
Nick built a successful career at Merchant Capital. Over more than six years in alternative lending, he helped secure over R100 million in funding for small and medium businesses. It was there he met Alf, adding another dear friend to his circle.
Through Bryanston Bible Church in South Africa, Nick met Tristan, Tommy & Kenny, whose friendship would become lifelong. It was through that same church community that he met Nicole, who would become his wife. In that place of faith, God was quietly writing the most important chapter of his life.
On April 27, 2022, Nick married Nicole, the love of his life. Their wedding day was filled with happiness and hope. They loved each other deeply, shared an unshakeable faith, and dreamed big dreams together.
Together, they made the bold decision to move to Canada and build their future there. In Canada, Nick continued his career in finance as a Mid-Market Account Executive at Coface, bringing the same instinct for service, excellence, and connection to everything he did.
Nick had a steady presence about him. He was strong when others wavered. Protective of those he loved.
Generous with his time and his heart. He was funny, truly funny, and thoughtful in ways that often caught you off guard. His laugh was infectious, and his smile could light up a room. He made people feel they mattered, because to him, they genuinely did.
He loved life. Sports. The gym. Running. Adventure. Nick threw himself into everything with energy and enthusiasm. He loved exploring new places and was always planning the next experience. He gathered people around him naturally, and wherever he went, warmth and good cheer followed.
Above all, what mattered most to Nick was his faith. As a devoted member of Oakridge Bible Chapel, he found strength, purpose, and community. Even through his illness, his faith did not waver. His quiet courage inspired everyone who watched him walk this as the hardest of roads.
Nicole was his rock. Unwavering. Loving. Faithful through every dark day. We are deeply grateful she was by his side.
Nick is lovingly remembered by his parents, Stephen and Andrea; and by Nicoleโs parents, Angelique and Devan, and their families.
He is also remembered by his uncles and aunts, John, Mandy, Terence, Renee, and Claudia. Claudia, Andreaโs sister, carried us with extraordinary love in these past months, travelling from Perth, Australia to stand beside Andrea, Nick, and Nicole, offering strength and comfort when it was needed most.
Nick leaves behind his cousins Kyle, Chris, and Lauren and their families; Andreaโs aunt, Heike Zimmerman; Annette Stelle; his extended family; and his dear friends Lloyd, Max, Justin, Alf, Tommy, Kurt, Tristan, Gomsi, Kenny, Marc and countless others who loved him and whom he loved in return.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15.โจ”See what great love the Father has lavished on usโฆ We shall be like Him.” 1 John 3:2.
Nickโs light continues in every life he touched, and in the love he gave so freely – from Nick’s family.
Nicholas Oehley
AUBREY BURER (1956 TOWN)
When I arrived at Pretoria Boys High School in 1955, Aubrey Burer, who was three years ahead of me, had already established himself as a swimming legend, not only at school level, but also provincially and nationally.
Aubrey matriculated in 1956 and took a temporary position with Barclays Bank focussing on his swimming career. Our coach was the formidable Terry Collard, a Springbok swimmer and our physical education teacher. Aubrey was chosen to represent Northern Transvaal at the Currie Cup championships in Bulawayo and Collard asked me if I would like to accompany him to Bulawayo to watch Aubrey. Collard didnโt have a car so he donned his Springbok blazer and he and I hitchhiked to Bulawayo. It took two days and the last thirty miles odd saw us arriving in Bulawayo sitting in some fellowโs fishing boat.
Aubrey was outstanding and the result was that he was chosen to represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales in 1958. In the same year he accepted a scholarship offer to enrol at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas Texas where he was to pursue a four-year undergraduate business degree majoring in accounting.
Needless to say, the scholarship had been offered to him due to his highly successful swimming career and the foundation had been laid on which he was to continue on his route to becoming a sporting legend at SMU.
In 1960, Aubrey returned to South Africa to compete in the swimming trials for the Olympic Games that were to be held in Rome. Due to financial constraints and a decision to send a water polo team, the South African Swimming Union only chose three swimmers to go to the Rome Olympics. The three were Laura Ranwell, Tich McLachlan and Aubrey Burer, all three of whom made the finals.
I arrived in Dallas to join Aubrey at SMU shortly after the Olympics had finished.
Aubrey was chosen as an All American Swimmer in all of the years he attended university and he captained SMU to a fourth successive conference championship, a winning streak that was to be extended for an extraordinary twenty-three years.
I was privileged to see the final tribute paid to him. SMU hosted the 1962 Southwest Conference Championships and Aubreyโs last race for his university, and indeed the last race of his swimming career, was the 400 yards freestyle. People had driven up to 400 miles to watch him and as he hit the water the entire audience stood and gave him a standing ovation for the whole race. A wonderful tribute for a true champion.
Whilst at SMU, Aubrey met Alice, who had five daughters, and on his last day at SMU, Aubrey and Alice married and he took his new family out to California where he accepted a position with an accounting firm, studied part time and qualified as a Certified Public Accountant.
Aubrey and Alice had three children, Michael, Megan and Karen swelling his number of children to eight. This marriage was not to survive and subsequently he met Judy whom he married and they went on to have two boys, William and Andrew.
Aubrey was generous in the extreme, looking after his large family and assisting his siblings when necessary. He never forgot his old school attending his 40th, 50th and 60th reunions, hosting reunions in the US and repeatedly requesting news not only of the school but also of his many school friends.
He was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 which he fought with great courage. His daughter Megan, a paramedic moved to California to assist Judy in looking after him.
He passed away at home in the company of Judy and many of his children on 13 January 2026 at the age of 86 and is survived by Judy, all his ten children, 56 grandchildren and great grandchildren and his sister Vivienne.
At least we know that in his declining months, he had the comfort of reflecting on a life fully and successfully lived, and of the appreciation of so many to whom he had extended his extraordinary generosity – submitted by friend Tiny Barnetson
Aubrey Burer
CONRAD BRAIN (1981 SOLOMON)
Conrad Brain was a renowned veterinarian, pilot and conservationist in Namibia, who died suddenly from a suspected heart attack on November 24, 2025, aged 62.
He matriculated at Boys High in 1981, one of 15 from Solomon House, and then after studying at Onderstepoort, he moved to Namibia to do a PhD, studying the conservation physiology of a small baboon troop trapped in the lower reaches of the Kuiseb River in the Namib Desert.
He habituated the troop by living with it, in the usually dry riverbed, despite the constant threat of hyenas and was assigned a position in the male rankings of the troop.
He learnt enough about baboon vocal communication to know in advance what the intentions of the troop were and his research became the subject of a television film called โBaboons Against the Oddsโ (1997).
After graduating, Brain joined the Etosha Ecological Institute and became the chief veterinarian of Etosha National Park.
To fulfil his duties in the park, he obtained his pilotโs licence, which he later upgraded to a commercial pilotโs licence. He flew from Etosha with a load of immobilised lions that became the founder population of the Pilanesberg National Park.
After a spell in Etosha, he joined Wilderness Safaris in Namibia in the dual role of conservationist and pilot/guide, flying tourists between remote safari destinations in sub-Saharan Africa.
While with Wilderness Safaris, he worked with researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin, Germany, on the biology of desert ungulates (hoofed animals) in Namibia.
Later, he helped to establish, and then led, Ecowings Namibia, which โdeployed aerial surveillance to combat wildlife crime and bolster ongoing conservationโ in Namibia.
He was married to American film-maker Ginger Mauney, who lived with him at the Kuiseb River, and who survives him, as does their son Kimber.
Brain was the son of the late CK โBobโ Brain, the former director of the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria, which is now the National Museum of Natural History.
His brother Tim, now a physician in East London, also went to Boysโ High, matriculating in the class of 1979.
Although we have all gone our separate ways, there remains a sense of brotherhood on the odd occasions the Solomon House matrics of 1981 have seen each other in the more than 40 years since leaving school. Nad was one of the few of the 15 I have not seen since school, but all were aware of his prestigious achievements through catch-ups with others, and it was a shock to lose someone who had been a close part of those formative years of your life, even if there had been no contact since 1981.
To recall his achievements, I have taken the above information from several obituaries published in Namibia where he forged an impressive reputation – submitted by Mark Gleeson.
Conrad Brain
Photo: The Pretorian 1981
