Daar is waarskynlik geen beter toonvenster vir die gehalte van ‘n skool as sy Oudskoliere-Unie nie. My bors swel gereeld van trots wanneer ek verneem hoe ons Old Boys merkwaardige prestasies behaal—hetsy in die sakewêreld, akademiese omgewings of op die sportveld—en hoe hulle hul voetspore wyd en diep laat oor nywerhede en kontinente heen. Dit is ‘n eer om deel te wees van hierdie ryk nalatenskap, om suksesse te vier en diegene te onthou wat hierdie erfenis help vorm het.
Sake – en Professionele Prestasies
Old Boys blink uit in korporatiewe raadsale en die finansiële wêreld en hou aan om hoogstaande vlakke van bevoegdheid en ambisie ten toon te stel. Justin Truter (2017) het byvoorbeeld onlangs sy staal getoon deur ‘n belastingkonsultant te word wat in oordragpryse spesialiseer. Leo Jay (2018) het ‘n gesogte aanstelling gekry as finansiële analis by Side Up in die VSA. Jacques Marais (2006) het hom by Steyn Kapitaalbestuur as senior kleinhandelbeleggingspesialis aangesluit, en Meyer Scholtz (2010) gee nou die toon aan as distribusiebestuurspesialis by BrightRockZA.
Daar is ‘n sterk teenwoordigheid in die finansiële sektor met Jacques Groenewald (2011), wat ‘n konsultasie- en projekbestuursrol by Route to Market vertolk, en Quinton Brandon (2015), wat ‘n nuwe hoofstuk in sy loopbaan as besigheidsanalis by Pragma Global begin het. In die Verenigde Koninkryk (VK) is Schoeman Botha (2013) tot senior finansiële sakevennoot by Forvis Mazars bevorder. Pieter Fourie (1989) het ‘n FE Alpha Manager Rating vir 2025 ontvang wat hom onder die top 10% van fondsbestuurders in die VK plaas – ‘n uitsonderlike prestasie!
In talle ander bedrywe maak Old Boys hul merk: Willem van Zyl (2013) is as finansiële bestuurder van Paardekop Vrugte aangestel; Tristan Fortune (2018) is nou ‘n senior assosiaat by PwC South Africa; en Dexter King (2010) is nou by TotalEnergies die Kommersiële Hoof van Suider-Afrikaanse Gas, Hernubare Energie en Krag.
Gelukwense kom ook Ivan van der Merwe en Jacques Wolmarans (2014) toe, wat albei die SAICA Assessering van Professionele Bevoegdheid geslaag het en nou as geoktrooieerde rekenmeesters in Suid-Afrika kan registreer.
Internasionale Sake-aanstellings
Henry Fisk (1989) het ‘n bestuursrol by WA Farmers in Australië aanvaar. Dillon Ribeiro (2017) het hom by Investec se span vir energie- en infrastruktuurfinansiering in New York aangesluit. In die VK is Martin Kotze (2018) as Finansiële Bestuurder van die Finovate Group aangestel.
Akademiese Uitmuntendheid
Die akademiese wêreld word steeds verryk deur alumni van PRG. Wynand Neethling (2019) het ‘n meestersgraad in masjienleer en kunsmatige intelligensie by Stellenbosch-universiteit behaal. In geneeskunde het Philip Hoffman en Kai Moors (2018) albei die graad MBChB met lof aan SU behaal, terwyl Kai boonop die beste finalejaarstudent was met ‘n indrukwekkende gemiddelde van 84%.
Sportprestasies
Op die sportfront is PRG se bydrae tot uitnemendheid voortgesit. Mark Lester (1995) het die ASA Vlak 1 Afrigtingskwalifikasie van Atletiek Suid-Afrika verwerf, en Andrew Rogers (1985) is nou hoofbestuurder van Bryanston Gholfklub.
Rugby bly ‘n gesogte vesting vir ons Old Boys. Oliver Reid (2024), Riley Norton (2024) en Zeke January (2023) is vir die Junior Springbok-toer na Georgië gekies, terwyl Zeke January (2023) ook vir hom ‘n plek in die SA Rugby O19 Akademiespan verseker het.
Hokkie is ook ‘n pilaar van uitnemendheid. Hans Neethling (2020) het in die span gespeel wat brons by die Binnenshuise Hokkie-Wêreldbeker behaal het, terwyl Reuben Sendzul (tans in Matriek), Andrew Hobson (2016), Niel Raath (2019) en Hans Neethling (2020) almal vir die SA Manshokkiegroep gekies is.
Ons Olimpiaan Jamie Riddle (2018), wat goed gevaar het in die laaste Olimpiese Spele, deel nou sy inspirerende reis van dromer tot sportheld as motiveringspreker.
Prestasies & Merkwaardige Besoekers
Professor Markus Reuter (1976) het Stellenbosch Universiteit vir die eerste keer besoek om sy naam op die Alumni Ere-doktorate-lys te sien. Emile Joubert (1980) het top eerbewyse verwerf as die algehele wenner van die 2024 Woordfees Kortverhaalkompetisie, terwyl Bernard Fick (1988) by die SU Raad aangesluit het as ‘n verteenwoordiger van die donateurs.
In die kulinêre wêreld het sjef Kobus van der Merwe (1998) van Wolfgat—Paternoster se bekroonde eetplek, wat in 2019 as die Beste Restaurant ter Wêreld aangewys is—die eer gehad om roosterkoek en soutslaai aan William, Prins van Wallis, voor te sit.
Tydens ons Senior Old Boys-middagete het ons gelag, herinneringe gedeel en opregte refleksies gehad oor die skool wat ons gevorm het. Terwyl ons vorentoe kyk, neem ons met trots besit van die Paul Roos Gymnasium-erfenis, vier die impak wat ons Old Boys steeds oor alle sfere maak, en bevestig ons ons toewyding tot hul voortdurende sukses.
In Memoriam
Met groot hartseer bring ons hulde aan Old Boys wat oorlede is:
- Johann Nico Gerber (1953)
- Gideon “Deon” van Dyk (1958)
- Genl-maj Augustinus Koch “Tinus” De Jager (1960)
- Josua Pieter “Sarge” van Zyl (1963)
- Eben Kruger (1965)
- Johannes Wynand “John” Daneel (1966)
- Paul Christiaan Louw (1968)
- Danie Louis Steytler (1970)
- Petrus Jacobus “Pietie” Carinus (1974)
- Dr Cornelius Jacobus “Boetie” Thiart (1976)
- Egbert Steyn “Eggie” Nieuwoudt (1978)
- Willem Jacobus “Willie” Engelbrecht (1980)
- Layne George Wilkens (2008)
- Daniël Fourie (2022)
Spesiale Huldeblyk
Op ‘n persoonlike noot wil ek spesiaal na twee Old Boys verwys:
Steven Kitshoff (2010), ‘n onverskrokke vegter van die moderne rugbyspel, wie se loopbaan deur ‘n nekbesering kortgeknip is, maar wie se invloed op die spel onmiskenbaar bly.
Pieter-Jan Bestbier (1986), ‘n ware pilaar van die Paul Roos Oudskoliere-Unie, wie se toewyding oor dekades ‘n blywende impak gemaak het. Hoewel baie bydra tot die sukses van Paul Roos Gimnasium en die Old Boys Unie, was min so konsekwent en toegewy soos Pieter-Jan, wat vir meer as 20 jaar in verskeie hoedanighede gedien het, insluitend as voorsitter van die OBU en herhaaldelik as tesourier. Met sy onuitputlike sorg en betrokkenheid het hy ‘n standaard van diens en toewyding gestel wat diep gerespekteer is. Sy teenwoordigheid, sy lojaliteit en sy onwrikbare vriendskap sal met groot verlange onthou word en bly voortleef in die nalatenskap wat hy met soveel passie opgebou het.
Paul Roos Gimnasium bly ‘n bakermat van uitnemendheid, en ons Old Boys laat steeds ‘n betekenisvolle impak op elke terrein.
Vriendelike groete,
NILS FLAATTEN (1987)
VOPORSITTER: OUDSKOLIERE-UNIE
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Chairman’s report
There is probably no better showcase for the quality of a school than its alumni union. My chest often swells with pride when I learn how our Old Boys achieve remarkable achievements—whether in business, academic settings, or on the sports field—and how they leave their footprints wide and deep across industries and continents. It is an honor to be a part of this rich legacy, to celebrate successes and remember those who helped shape this legacy.
Business and Professional Achievements
Old Boys excels in corporate boardrooms and the financial world and continues to showcase high-quality levels of competence and ambition. For example, Justin Truter (2017) recently showed his steel by becoming a tax consultant specializing in transfer pricing. Leo Jay (2018) got a prestigious appointment as a financial analyst at Side Up in the US. Jacques Marais (2006) joined Steyn Capital Management as senior retail investment specialist, and Meyer Scholtz (2010) now sets the tone as distribution management specialist at BrightRockZA.
There is a strong presence in the financial sector with Jacques Groenewald (2011), who plays a consulting and project management role at Route to Market, and Quinton Brandon (2015), who has started a new chapter in his career as a business analyst at Pragma Global. In the United Kingdom (UK), Schoeman Botha (2013) was promoted to senior financial business partner at Forvis Mazars. Pieter Fourie (1989) received an FE Alpha Manager Rating for 2025 which places him among the top 10% of fund managers in the UK – an exceptional achievement!
Old Boys make their mark in many other industries: Willem van Zyl (2013) has been appointed financial manager of Paardekop Fruit; Tristan Fortune (2018) is now a senior associate at PwC South Africa; and Dexter King (2010) is now the commercial lead of Southern African Gas, Renewable Energy and Power at TotalEnergies.
Congratulations also go to Ivan van der Merwe and Jacques Wolmarans (2014), who both passed the SAICA Assessment of Professional Competence and can now register as chartered accountants in South Africa.
International Business Appointments
Henry Fisk (1989) took on a management role at WA Farmers in Australia. Dillon Ribeiro (2017) joined Investec’s Energy and Infrastructure Finance team in New York City. In the UK, Martin Kotze (2018) was appointed as financial manager of the Finovate Group.
Academic Excellence
The academic world continues to be enriched by alumni of PRG. Wynand Neethling (2019) obtained a master’s degree in machine learning and artificial intelligence from Stellenbosch University. In medicine, Philip Hoffman and Kai Moors (2018) both obtained the degree MBChB with distinction at SU, while Kai was also the best final-year student with an impressive average of 84%.
Sports Achievements
On the sports front, PRG’s contribution to excellence continued. Mark Lester (1995) obtained the ASA Level 1 Coaching Qualification from Athletics South Africa, and Andrew Rogers (1985) is now general manager of Bryanston Golf Club.
Rugby remains a sought-after stronghold for our Old Boys. Oliver Reid (2024), Riley Norton (2024) and Zeke January (2023) have been selected for the Junior Springbok tour of Georgia, while Zeke January (2023) has also secured him a place in the SA Rugby U19 Academy team.
Hockey is also a pillar of excellence. Hans Neethling (2020) played in the team that won bronze at the Indoor Hockey World Cup, while Reuben Sendzul (currently in Matrics), Andrew Hobson (2016), Niel Raath (2019) and Hans Neethling (2020) were all selected for the SA Men’s Hockey group.
Our Olympian Jamie Riddle (2018), who did well in the last Olympics, now shares his inspiring journey from dreamer to sports hero as a motivational speaker.
Achievements & Notable Visitors
Professor Markus Reuter (1976) visited Stellenbosch University for the first time to see his name displayed on the Alumni Honorary Doctorates list. Emile Joubert (1980) took top honors as the overall winner of the 2024 Woordfees Short Story Competition, while Bernard Fick (1988) joined the SU Council as a donor representative.
In the culinary world, Chef Kobus van der Merwe (1998) of Wolfgat—Paternoster’s acclaimed eatery, crowned Best Restaurant in the World in 2019—had the honour of serving roosterkoek and soutslaai to William, Prince of Wales.
At our Senior Old Boys Lunch, we shared laughter, memories, and heartfelt reflections on the school that shaped us. Looking ahead, we take immense pride in the Paul Roos Gymnasium legacy, celebrating the impact our Old Boys continue to make across all spheres and reaffirming our commitment to their ongoing success.
In Memoriam
It is with great sadness that we pay tribute to Old Boys who have passed away:
- Johann Nico Gerber (1953)
- Gideon “Deon” van (1958)
- Maj. Gen. Augustinus Koch “Tinus” De Jager (1960)
- Joshua Pieter “Sarge” van Zyl (1963)
- Eben Kruger (1965)
- John Wynand “John” Daneel (1966)
- Paul Christiaan Louw (1968)
- Danie Louis Steytler (1970)
- Petrus Jacobus “Pietie” Carinus (1974)
- Dr Cornelius Jacobus “Boetie” Thiart (1976)
- Egbert Steyn “Eggie” Nieuwoudt (1978)
- Willem Jacobus “Willie” Engelbrecht (1980)
- Layne George Wilkens (2008)
- Daniël Fourie (2022)
Special Tribute
On a personal note, I would like to make a special reference to two Old Boys:
Steven Kitshoff (2010), an intrepid warrior of the modern rugby game, whose career was cut short by a neck injury, but whose influence on the game remains undeniable.
Pieter-Jan Bestbier (1986), a true pillar of the Paul Roos Alumni Union, whose dedication has made a lasting impact over decades.
Paul Roos Gymnasium remains a cradle of excellence, and our Old Boys continue to leave a meaningful impact on every site.
Best regards
NILS FLAATTEN (1987)
CHAIRMAN: OLD BOYS’ UNION
