Month: June 2023

Erich Laubscher’s thoughts at his 2003 matric reunion

I can divide my 20-year school reunion into three distinct experiences.

On the Thursday morning, I was waiting for two of my close school friends (AJ Stadler and Anton van der Merwe) and watched a video of PRG boys singing. This made me realise that no one from my family would be part of a future PRG class; my father was in the 1972 class (Jan Albertus Laubscher), I was in 2003, and none of my three beautiful daughters will have the same opportunity. It was an emotional moment for me.

It was special to see everyone on the school tour and to revisit old memories. The new school facilities are impressive, and it was special to be at this year’s game against Boishaai again after 20 years. I was privileged to play in the game and recall the feeling when the final whistle blew and realising that we had won 12-9. Although I can’t remember much about the game, I remember how quickly it went by.

I am grateful that I was able to attend a school like PRG, and grateful to my parents for providing me with this opportunity. I am grateful for my friends and all the memories. Blessed to have three daughters, although I won’t get to experience the PRG tradition of having a son attend the school, perhaps one day I can watch one of my girls’ boyfriends playing rugby at the famous Markötter Stadium (although I don’t want to think about it).

Polla Namibië trek saam in Windhoek

Na aanvanklike verwarring oor waar die Polla Namibië op 12 Junie byeen gekom het, kan ons bevestig dat dit in Windhoek was en wel in die Stellenbosch Tasting Room.  Eienaar Jean Engelbrecht (1984) het die geleentheid gereël en die wyn geskenk. Adjunk-rektor Frans van Niekerk was ook daar om die Stellenbosse konneksie te versterk. Kan daar ‘n beter kombinasie as Windhoek en Stellenbosch wees?

‘n Klompie van die manne wat daar was, is op ‘n kamera vasgevang. Op foto 1 staan van links Tiaan van Rooyen, Tiaan van der Westhuizen, Claud Bosch en Hennie Brandt.

Op foto 2 verskyn van links Hennie Brandt, Koos Brandt, Albie Basson en Hannes Pretorius.

Op die derde foto staan van links Phillip Coetzee, Mauritz Thirion en Andrie Swartz. Waar is Frans? Seker agter die kamera!

Small beginnings

From Sydney in New South Wales, Australia, we received a WhatsApp to tell us that the first Polla meeting there was held recently. In attendance were Albie van Eden (1985), Shaun Roos (1996), Jan de Villiers (1994), Peter Greeff (1998) and Michael van Rooyen (1995). Small beginnings, but big things to come, we were assured! Hope to hear more soon!

Klas 2000 geniet spitbraai by groot krieketstryd

Lede van Klas 2000 het die krieketwedstryd tussen PRG en Grey High (PE) gebruik om bymekaar te kom. Soos te wagte was dit ‘n viering van formaat, met ‘n spitbraai geborg deur Jansen Pure Beef.

Op die eerste foto verskyn van links Janus, Juan, PJ, Miggie (wat wegkruip), Phillip, Booye, Marius, Jansen en Max. Op die tweede foto kan Tulla, Jansen en Allan gesien word.

Groot manne het op hierdie skoolbanke gesit

Meer as ‘n honderd jaar gelede het dertig Stellenbossers bymekaargekom en besluit om ‘n skool te stig. Op 1 Maart 1866, presies honderd jaar gelede, het die skool tot stand gekom – ‘n skool wat manne soos genl. Smuts, genl. Hertzog, Jan Celliers, Danie Theron, Bosman Di Ravelli, genl. Christiaan Beyers en talle ander sou oplewer; ‘n skool waar genl. Smuts byna geskors is en waar dr. D.F. Malan saam met ander leerlinge in ‘n gronddam moes bad.

Continue reading Groot manne het op hierdie skoolbanke gesit

Paul Roos se 1906-span se rare grammofoonplate

Skaarser as hoendertande, dis wat die vier langspeelplate van 1906 is waarop die Springbokspan na Brittanje ‘n aantal opnames gemaak het tydens hul toer. Wat die plate nog meer versamelaarstatus gee, is dat dit blykbaar die eerste plate is waarop Afrikaans gebruik word.

Argivaris Mariena Kotze het hierdie artikel deur Con Groenewald in ‘n Huisgenoot van 31 Desember 1965 vir ons opgespoor. Lees self oor die inhoud van hierdie veteraanplate in Afrikaans en laat ons weet of julle van enigiemand weet wat hierdie plate besit. Self kon ons niks opspoor op die Internet nie en ook YouTube gee geen idee van hoe hierdie Springbokke gesing het op hul toer en selfs gedigte voorgedra het nie.