Chairman’s Message | Voorsittersverslag
We want to thank all the Old Boys that attended the Annual General Meeting or Massa-Reunie on the 22nd of May. This year’s event was attended by 300 Old Boys and was slightly larger than last year’s AGM. The evening’s guest speaker was the award-winning financial journalist and Moneyweb editor, Ryk van Niekerk (1992), who also presents on RSG and hosts the Market Commentator podcast. Ryk gave an uplifting message on the political development in the country and Timothy Schultz (1991) was the Master of Ceremonies.
Die ontvangs van die Old Boys Vrydagoggend by die Japie Krige-saal het ‘n spesiale geleentheid geword met die aankoms van Freddie van Coppenhagen, wat in 1947 gematrikuleer het, saam met sy seun Carl (1982), wat deesdae in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, woon. Freddie was die oudste Old Boy by die geleentheid en in egte PRG tradisie is hy staande toegejuig. Dit het ons ook nie ontgaan dat Freddie in die agterste ry in die saal gaan sit het nie, soos dit oudstes betaam!
The weekend was a special get together for the following matric classes who celebrated reunion milestones, namely, 1972 (19); 1982 (41); 1987 (36); 1997 (22); 2002 (27); 2012 (10) & 2017 (10)
Onder die spesiale gaste wat op uitnodiging van die OSU die Massa-reünie bygewoon het was voormalige en huidige onderwysers. Melding moet gemaak word van Gwen Olivier, Renette Stofberg, Helene van Wyk, Mariena Kotzé, Frans van Niekerk, JP Vermeulen, Emile Müller, David Taylor, Stanley Esterhuyzen, Sakkie Swart, Jantjie Muller, Quintus Jordaan en Stephan Jordaan, wat almal as erelede van die OSU ingelyf is.
During April the 1958 Matrics met for their quarterly breakfast at De Zalze Golf Club. Attendees were Danie Gerryts, Fanna Pretorius, Carl Vlok, Neels Grobbelaar, Johan de Villiers, James Joubert, Danie Miller and Nic de Jager.
Die hele PRG-gemeenskap is baie trots op Brandon Visser (2008), wat ‘n brons medalje ontvang het van die Royal Humane Society in Brittanje vir sy selflose en dapper optrede sowat ‘n jaar gelede toe hy in die verraderlike Teemsrivier ingespring het om ‘n vrou van verdrinking te red.
Talking about rivers, Dup Venter (1975) and Hans Heuer (1980) are working with the not-for-profit organisation Stellenbosch Trail Fund in effort to rehabilitate the Eersteriver and plant indigenous trees on its banks. They are busy with fundraising for the not-for-profit and would appreciate any assistance.
Junie 2022 sal voortaan vir Steven Kitshoff (2010), Damian Willemse (2016) en Herschel Jantjies (2014) spesiale sportbetekenis hê. Hulle was deel van die seëvierende Stormers-span wat die eerste wenners van die Verenigde Rugbykampioenskapsbeker geword het toe hulle die Blou Bulle in die finaal in die DHL Stadion in Kaapstad geklop het.
Another Old Boy who follows in footsteps of many other internationally capped PRG props is Robert Rodgers (2019), who celebrated a big win with Montpellier Hérault Rugby in the Top 14 final. Well done and thank you for putting up the PRG poster in your locker room. It was also exciting to see that Dieter Eiselen (2014) enters his second year playing in the NFL after being drafted from the practice squad into the Chicago Bears starting team. We wish him well for the spring training sessions and look forward to the NFL league getting into full swing. This is a big achievement as only a hand full of South Africans have ever been drafted into the football league.
Gelukwense aan Christian Sadie (2015), wat die SA en Afrikarekord in die 200m wisselslag vir individuele mans by ‘n byeenkoms in Funchal, Portugal, verbeter het.
The deep history of PRG Old Boys in journalism continues! Zigi Ekron (1991) has recently been promoted to News Editor at Die Burger and the Daily Maverick’s Pieter-Louis Myburgh (2003) won the Standard Bank Sikuvile journalism award for Story of the Year and the Investigative Journalism category for his article on Digital Vibes.
Op letterkundige gebied publiseer Tom Dreyer (1990) met Kodachrome, Emile Joubert (1980) met Krummels in my koffer en Louis du Plessis(1963) met Teen Helderberg (‘n digbundel). Ons wens hulle alles van die beste toe.
We were also excited to see that artist and designer Rikus Ferreira (1990) has release his latest work ‘Long Street Biker’. Daniel Naudé (2002) in turn, has released his photo collection in London – The Bovine Prophecy. We also wish them well in their endeavours. Congratulations to David Finlayson (1989 ) of Edgebaston wines, who won Best Cabernet in the World at the annual Concours International des Cabernets in France in May 2022. This annual competition is committed to awarding the world’s best wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and other Cabernet-related grape varieties.
Hartseernuus is ontvang oor die afsterwe die afgelope tyd van Johannes Bosch (1992), Richard Broome (1964), Ian Walls (1955) en Nicky Loubser (1977). Dick Broome was ‘n vennoot by Valentine Sergeant en getroue welsynbydraer wat baie mense in nood gehelp het. Ian Walls het nooit in sy gesonder jare, die gebruiklike jaarlikse middagete vir senior Old Boys misgeloop nie en was altyd dankbaar met so ‘n mooi glimlag. We also took leave of John Malan, Accountancy and Religious Instruction teacher, cricket and hockey coach, who passed away from cancer.
The Old Boys office recently sent out a notice regarding the Paul Roos 150 Trust Fund, in which we asked members to consider making a bequest to the fund. The fund aims to support the long term needs of the school and is an endowment fund focused on upholding the tradition of academic excellence for future generations. A hundred and seven (107) donors have made pledges of R9,4 million but we still need to reach our target of R150 million. Johan Rupert (1967) is the Patron of the Fund and he is assisted by the following trustees: Arend de Waal – Chairman of trustees (1986), Jannie Durand (1984), Niel Hoogenhout (1971), Pieter-Jan Bestbier (1986) and George Steyn, the former CEO of the Pepkor Group. One of the noteworthy contributions has been by an Old Boy who bequeathed his residence in a retirement complex. This has subsequently been sold and the proceeds have been used by the trust to fund teacher accommodation. Thank you to those Old Boys who answered our call and who have made pledges.
Ter afsluiting, versoek ons enigeen wat bewus is van ‘n prestasie deur ‘n Old Boy – òf dit nou klein òf groot is – om die inligting met die OSU-kantoor te deel.
Vriendelike groete | Kind regards
Nils Flaatten
Voorsitter | Chairman
Oudskoliere-unie | Old Boys’ Union
