NEWSLETTER 6 OF 2023
PRETORIA BOYS HIGH TEAMS UP WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN HALL OF FAME
The official launch of this exciting partnership took place at the induction of Jake White and the 2007 World Cup Winning Springbok team at Montecasino on Wednesday, 16 August 2023.
“The South African Hall of Fame is embarking on a transformative journey with Pretoria Boys High School dedicated to empowering previously disadvantaged children and individuals, guiding them towards unprecedented heights of achievement. We passionately believe in the power of positive change, and we invite you to be a part of this remarkable mission.
Our commitment extends beyond mere charity; it’s about igniting potential, fostering dreams, and creating lasting impact. We aspire to shape a world where opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of their background, and where talent and ambition can flourish unburdened by barriers.
Join hands with us as we write a new chapter in the story of South Africa’s future, one that champions diversity, inclusivity, and the boundless potential of every individual. Together, we can make a profound difference and inspire a generation to reach for the stars. The South African Hall of Fame welcomes you to be a catalyst for change, because when we unite in purpose, we can achieve the extraordinary.” ~ The South African Hall of Fame
While sharing the stage with various dignitaries, including former President Thabo Mbeki and Old Boy John Smit, Headmaster Greg Hassenkamp outllined how Pretoria Boys High aims to change the lives of PBHS boys through several initiatives.
A few excerpts from Mr Hassenkamp’s address follows:
“Pretoria Boys High School is a school that can trace its origins back to 1901. Our school has served the country well over the past century by providing a high school education for thousands of the country’s young men, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in all manner of occupations and professions. The school has always played a crucial role in providing leaders and its alumni include prominent figures in the business world, medicine, law, the military, education, sport, the arts and entrepreneurship.
Perhaps, at no other time in the history of South Africa, has there been a more urgent need for citizens who are products of good schools. In spite of a sometimes dispiriting prognosis, the potential for our country to become a world-class nation again remains. What is needed are a few generations of educated, values driven, energetic and positive young people to turn the tide. In this regard, Pretoria Boys High School is perfectly placed to continue to serve the role of a flagship school within a state education system that is struggling. The school has the capacity to produce, as it has done for over a century, the type of men who will make this country work.
There is no doubt that our partnership with the Hall of Fame plays a huge role in achieving this goal. In having two organisations that are so closely aligned in terms of what they stand for, the values they have, what they would like to achieve and how they go about achieving their goals this partnership can only bode well for the development of this country’s youth going forward,” said PBHS’s Headmaster.
He went on to state: “It is the vision of The South African Hall of Fame to Celebrate great achievements by extraordinary South Africans in order to Inspire and Empower our youth so as to stretch them beyond their circumstances and to reach their full potential. In the same way that the Springboks of 2007 confirmed that we are as a nation world beaters and that with the correct opportunity anything can be achieved so I believe this partnership gives our country the same inspiration going forward.
Pretoria Boys High School deeply values this opportunity to be working with the Hall of Fame and together with your support we look forward to empowering the next generation of young South Africans to become bigger than themselves and in doing so we look forward producing the next set of role models and leaders to inspire our nation”.
CONGRATULATIONS TO TWO OLD BOYS FOR BEING SELECTED FOR THE PROTEAS T20 SQUAD
The Proteas T20 squad was announced recently and we are very proud of the fact that we have two Old Boys in the squad of 16. Aiden Markram (Class of 2012) is captaining the side and Donovan Ferreira (Class of 2016) will be getting his first taste of International cricket.
We congratulate Aiden and Donovan on their selection and wish them well as they initially take on Australia in a three match series starting on Wednesday the 30th of August.
NEWS ON OLD BOY’S ACHIEVEMENT AT THE 2023 CROSSFIT GAMES AFRICA SEMIFINAL
We received the following news via email:
“I thought you’d be interested to know that Matthew Schiff (Deputy Head Boy and Head of School House 2012), went into the Crossfit Renegade Games semi finals for Africa at #30 and came out of the weekend the 12th fittest male athlete in Africa!
Thanks in part to the discipline and dedication he was taught at Boys High!
GO, Boys High!!!”
THE 24 HOUR MTB CHALLENGE AT PBHS
Following the success of their 2019, 2021 and 2022 events, Pretoria Boys High School has announced that they will once again be hosting the Pretoria Boys High School 24hr & 6hr MTB Relay Challenge on Saturday 9th September 2023.
Held on the school grounds, the route requires riders to complete as many 6 kilometre laps as possible in the 24 or 6 hour race period. Featuring 50 meters of climbing per lap, the route is made up of jeep track, single-tracks and sections across the car parks and sport fields of the school. Man-made obstacles provide additional challenges for those with the technical skills to take them on, while A and B lines are provided for each technical feature – allowing the less skilled riders to safely skirt the hazards.
Off the bike there will be a festive atmosphere throughout the event, ensured by food trucks and complimentary camping for all riders.
Tickets for solo and team challengers can be purchased at https://mysportevents.co.za/
Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information email info@pbhsob.com and we will refer you to the School’s contact person.
BRANCH VISITS
Two PBHS Branch visits were recently undertaken by the Headmaster, Greg Hassenkamp and Second Master, John Illsley. They attended an Old Boys’ Dinner in Cape Town on Wednesday, 2 August 2023 and a lunch the next day in Hermanus. The Cape Town Dinner, held at the Oak Room at Newlands Cricket Grounds, attracted 150 Old Boys and we expect to publish photos and a write-up on this memorable event in a follow-up newsletter.
Old Boys Louis van Breda and Ed Meyer arranged the Hermanus lunch and Mr Van Breda gave us the following summary:
OVERBERG BRANCH LUNCH – Thursday 3 August 2023
The lunch was hosted by Old Boy Shane Sauvage at his restaurant La Pentola in Hermanus. With whales visible in the beautiful blue sea of Walker Bay as a backdrop, we had the perfect setting.
It was an informal affair focusing on fellowship. We were privileged to have Greg Hassenkamp (Headmaster) and John Illsley (Second Master) as our guests.
Louis van Breda acted as MC and Convener Ed Meyer proposed a toast to absent friends. Mike Smuts (ex-Deputy Head at PBHS and now Headmaster of Hermanus High) managed to pop in.
Greg gave us an informative update of developments and challenges at PBHS and outlined how he and his team are dealing with them. Wonderful conversations were held with both Greg and John. We would really like to thank them for making the effort to join our lunch and wish them both all the very best.
Thanks and regards
Louis
REUNION NEWS
THE CLASS OF 2003 CELEBRATED THEIR 20 YEARS-ON WITH RECORD-BREAKING ATTENDANCE NUMBERS
On Friday, 21 July 2023 almost 90 Old Boys from the Class of 2003 attended a Friday assembly at PBHS in the gallery of the Abernethy Hall and on Saturday night, 22 July 115 of them attended the formal dinner, celebrating 20 Years On.
We share the thoughts of Tristan Dennis as published on his LinkedIn account:
‘On the weekend of 21-22 July was the class of 2003’s 20 year reunion at Pretoria Boys High School. I have always been proud of attending the school, but wasn’t necessarily looking forward to it. Not because of the realisation that I’m getting older, but because I don’t necessarily have the fondest memories.
As the days drew nearer, the social groups got more excited. From my years in corporate I’ve tasted this “cool aid” before. This was different. There was a real energy from all to reconnect after all these years. The vast majority had not stayed in constant contact, but there seemed to be a compelling urge for the day to arrive.
As the guys started to trickle in and congregate at the front of the Solomon House lawn on a very cold morning, the excitement built. “Hey Howsit, how’s it going?” Followed by a hand clap and the typical bromance hug as the guys started to recognise each other… only good memories started flooding back. We were transported back 20 years. We did however look grey, bald and maybe slightly rounder, but the guys hadn’t changed much for the most part.
We attended Friday assembly where the 90 of us sat up in the gallery. The yellow lights flashed around the hall and immediate silence as 1500 boys (and our group of 90 old boys) stood up as Mr Hassenkamp walked onto the stage. The feeling of absolute nostalgia and pride replaced any other emotion I had felt leading up to this day.
As the Headmaster addressed the school and went through a very normal assembly, you could feel a slight tremor (although dead silence) as the 90 old boys started to mouth the prayers coming from the stage. At the end, the Head Boy suggested that we do the school song in honour of us in the gallery.
Every word came back to us. It was beautiful to be part of once again. As it ended with “Tis here we learn to live”, it took much restraint to not give the traditional “Boys High!”
We continued to catch up over the next 2 days as we played golf, had one or two drinks, attended the sports fixture on Saturday morning with our families and the formal dinner on Saturday evening, and a few more drinks at the Old Boys club.
During the many discussions and speeches over the weekend there was a trending topic around “What brings us back” “Why do we come back?” Valid question, certainly a question I had asked myself many times in the lead up to the weekend. And although the common answer was “Boys High magic”, it’s more than that.
It is an unwavering brotherhood built on tradition, respect, manners and love.
What was probably the most special moment of all was when my 8 year old son told me that he wants to come here. He saw how special it is and wants to be part of it.
It was here I learned to live…’
Tristan Dennis
Many thanks to the 20 Years-On convenor, Head Prefect of 2003 Doug Saxby and to Mark Rundle who so efficiently assisted in gathering such a large group of Old Boys together and making the occasion so very special.
BOOK CORNER
Mr Roydon Hoggan, Old Boy, member of staff for 16 years and Life Member of the Old Boys’ Association, has sent us a recommendation on a book authored by another PBHS Old Boy, Gavin Kanowitz (Class of 1986) entitled Navigating the Chaos: Clarity and Belief in a World of Persistent Deceit.
The Amazon summary of the book is as follows:
“In an era of rapid and often worsening change, it is crucial that a person articulate clarity of thought that transcends the noise of the contemporary zeitgeist. Author and teacher Gavin Kanowitz unravels the deception that has manifested itself in the sciences, education, politics, and the media. He shows how this is all part of an overriding civilization decline that is most highlighted by institutional failure and mismanagement by the once-trusted elites”.
The Amazon link and the YouTube link hereunder:
https://www.amazon.ca/Navigating-Chaos-Clarity-Belief-Persistent/dp/B0BYBH2Q85
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC30BLXRJ2aAeYmpGnjBzbSQ
UPCOMING EVENTS AT PBHS
FOUR SCHOOL’S CONCERT 24-26 SEPTEMBER 2023
This year, Pretoria Boys High’s Music Department is proudly hosting the highly anticipated Four School’s Concert from 24 to 26 September in the Abernethy Hall at PBHS.
This unique event is one of the highlights of the school year whereby the musicians of Pretoria Boys High School, Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, Pretoria High School for Girls and Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool come together for a spectacular musical extravaganza.
The tickets fly! So purchase yours as soon as possible using the link below:
https://tickets.tixsa.co.za/event/four-schools-concert-2023
IN MEMORIAM
MICHIEL (MIKE) SMUTS – CLASS OF 1952
Mike died on 23 May,2023 and was buried from St Columbas Church,
Parkview, Johannesburg. He was 86 years old and was a quintessential
Old Boy of PBHS.
He grew up in Brits and matriculated from Solomon House in 1952.
Mike served his Articles of Clerkship (Law) in Pretoria whereafter he transferred to Brits where he worked in his father’s Legal Practice before moving to Johannesburg after joining Anglo American’s Legal Department. He remained with Anglo until his retirement.
He married Morag (Mo) nee Hogg and had three children, Susan, Linda and D.J. (Danie). Not only did Mike attend PBHS, but so did his son D.J. and his grandson, Geoffrey. And his father, Oom Daan, was an Old Boy of both Boys High and Affies as he was one of the boys who transferred to Affies when Affies opened its doors. However, Oom Daan related more closely to PBHS than to Affies and regularly attended the Annual Old Boys Dinner. He was usually accompanied by a Brits colleague Eugene Marais who, as many Old Boys will remember, always had the final word by delivering the last speech (many jokes) of the evening.
Besides his family, which he idolised, Mike’s other passion was PBHS which he supported by regularly attending Old Boys functions and in particular the monthly Thundergun luncheon and by liberally endowing his Alma Mater with donations to the Pretorian Trust – received from PETER GOOD.
BRUCE JOHN HERBERT – CLASS OF 1963 (5 December 1944 – 7 February 2023)
It is with sadness that I advise you of the untimely passing of my husband of 54 years on 7 February 2023.
At a very generous invitation from our son-in-law and daughter, Malcolm and Sue Stewart (nee Herbert) to visit them and their two boys in the UK, we left on 1 November 2022 for a ‘visit of a lifetime’. Very unfortunately, Bruce took ill and was admitted to hospital on 29 November 2022 and after a very brave fight against infections, passed away on 7 February 2023, in hospital, in the UK.
However, he was able to see the family again, live in their home, visit the boys’ schools, see where Malcolm worked, visit a couple of pubs for a pint and had coffee in the numerous coffee shops and pushed the trollies around Tesco and Costco with Sue – HIS WISH HAD BEEN REALISED !!
After leaving school Bruce attended the Air Force Gym in Pretoria, where he captained their hockey team and played many rounds of golf around the country. His interest in and knowledge of sport in general was amazing. His passion in his later years was to watch golf, cricket, tennis, rugby and hockey on TV – he obtained Springbok colours for Hockey Umpiring in 1970.
On the business front, he concentrated on the Retail Industry, mainly in the Marketing field, where he was very successful at Woolworths, Spar and SAB in their management and marketing divisions. He was also a very devoted member of Northcliff Rotary Club for many years, being elected as President of the club in 1993 and was Chairman of the District Conference held in Swaziland in 1994.
After retiring, his early interest in politics was once again renewed. As a member of the local branch and Ward Councillor, he represented the DA on the “Joburg City” Council for 10 years, holding various positions.
His interest in, pride and loyalty to the School never faded – he attended the local “Thundergun Old Boys” (Johannesburg) lunches every month for many years – an occasion he so looked forward to and enjoyed.
He was the younger brother of Roger Herbert, whom I am sure you will all remember. Our son Kevin, also attend PBHS – was a border at Rissik House and matriculated in 1988.
WITH KIND REGARDS TO ALL WHO KNEW AND REMEMBER HIM
ANNE HERBERT (nee Yates)
