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OBNews#6February 2020
Dear Old Boys
Christmas has come and gone, we have celebrated the matric
results of our newest cohort of Old Boys, the Class of 2019 and the
first half term of 2020 is already history.
As you may know, Robyn Gruijters has taken up her new post as
Development Officer at Cowan House and Michelle Huntley moves to
Harrismith when Pete takes over as head of Harriston School at the
end of term. We welcome Taryn Murdey as the new Old Boys’
Administrator and Archivist and are most grateful to Belinda Boast,
who has kindly offered to help with the planning and organising of
the Gaudies on 17 April and Old Boys Day on 18 April (Please send
in your RSVP’s).
Another common theme in the Chronicles of a century ago is the
plea for contributions:
“Old Boys are always glad to glean from these pages the present
doings of the school; but let them remember that we are also glad
to know what they are doing, and more so when we have it in their
own words. We appeal, therefore (and we have had some substantial
support in advance), to all interested in the school, governors,
parents, boys past and present, to help us to raise the Chronicle
somewhat above the level of a desiccated diary”
This trend has not changed much since 1906. In this edition,
some
MICHAELHOUSE OLD BOYS NEWS
of our authors, a few teachers, the CEO of the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation and one PhD Graduate are highlighted. There are
more men out there making a difference, but we can report only on
the Old Boys’ achievements and events of which we know. Please send
your stories to [email protected].
While in Auckland last year it was a pleasure to meet up with
Dave and Kevin Oscroft. Both spoke very highly of Peter Oscroft,
our past Head of School featured in this edition.
James Thorpe returns to South Africa and introduces his
Churchies team to Mzansi and Ali Barnes and you will be moved by
the most remarkable story of Anthony Renton’s incredible recovery
from Traumatic Brain Injury.
Finally one an amazing St Michael Awardee hangs up his
stethoscope at the ripe old age of ninety!
Plans for the Old Boys’ functions in New York, Vancouver and Los
Angeles are in place and I look forward to meeting our Old Boys
there. If you are able to attend one of these events, please let
the organiser know.
Until next time take care, have a blast and make a difference
out there.
Kind regards
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New Old Boys’ Administrator
Head Boy: Peter Oscroft (East 1964)My father Basil, one of four
sons of an Anglican Missionary in what was then known as Zululand,
was head of East in 1928. I married Jacqueline (nee Girdwood), aka
Nina, in 1972. We have a son Jonathan, b 1974, who was all set to
go to Michaelhouse, until we transferred to the Cape. He went to
Bishops and UCT, is a chartered accountant, married to Leza Kilfoil
and they have 2 sons and a daughter. Our daughter Katherine, b
1976, went to Rustenberg Girls High and UCT. She is a professional
physiotherapist, is married to Alistair Kane and they have 3
daughters. We consider ourselves extremely blessed that they all
live in Cape Town, for now anyway.
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PhD Graduate: David SmedleyConservation
“Smallholder farming systems in Sub-Saharan Africa are
predominantly rain-fed and therefore highly vulnerable to variable
rainfall patterns which are becoming increasingly severe as
climates change. This interdisciplinary thesis investigated the
effects of low cost water harvesting techniques, as methods for
improving on-farm climate resilience, on-yield and hydrological
ecosystem service provision at scale. It found that practices
available to the poorest of farmers can improve productivity, even
when exposed to unreliable rainfall, and positively impact water
availability downstream.”
https://sustainablefoodtrust.org/articles/regenerative-agriculture-is-trending-in-south-africa/
Dr David Smedley with proud parents, Kate and Alan
Making a DifferenceMark Suzman (Pascoe 1985). CEO Bill Gates
Foundation
I’m humbled, honoured, and hugely excited by the opportunity to
step in as the next CEO of The Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation’s and continue to help advance our important mission to
help ensure everyone in the U.S. and around the world has the
chance to lead a healthy and productive life.
I had no idea what to expect when I moved to Seattle at the
beginning of 2007 to join the foundation and build the policy and
advocacy team for what was then the brand-new Global Development
Program. At the time, we were a foundation of barely more than 300
people, all squeezed into a nondescript building on Eastlake Avenue
in Seattle, supported by a small D.C. office and nascent HIV
prevention programs in India and China.
Now, more than a dozen years later, we are 1,600 strong, working
out of our prominent headquarters in Seattle and across offices on
four continents. Since I’m more familiar to some of you than
others, I wanted to share a bit about how I came to this place and
why this work is so important to me.
I grew up in apartheid South Africa as part of a politically
prominent family that simultaneously fought the legislated crime
perpetrated on people of colour while nonetheless benefiting from
the comfortable lifestyle and opportunities offered to us as a
white family and to me, personally, as a white male. Even as a
child, I understood the unfairness, and it left me with a deep
desire to use the advantages I had been given to help tackle
injustice and inequality.
I started my career as a journalist, writing about the
challenges of apartheid. I ultimately covered its demise and the
election of Nelson
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Mandela as president before taking up posts in London and then
Washington, D.C. (Those of you who have visited my office have seen
copies of the ballot from that historic 1994 election as well as
Mandela’s election poster.)
I loved my career in journalism, but I was constantly looking
for opportunities that more directly impacted people’s lives,
especially in the developing world. When an offer came to work for
the United Nations in 2000, I grabbed it. I soon found myself part
of the effort that became the creation of the Millennium
Development Goals under the leadership of then Secretary-General
Kofi Annan.
It was a time of great momentum in global health and
development. It coincided with, and was amplified by, the creation
of a new entity in Seattle – the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation. When the Secretary-General’s term ended in 2006, I
found myself looking for new ways to keep making a difference for
the world’s poorest. That brought me here, to the very foundation I
am now so proud to be asked to lead. I can think of no better place
to try to help change the world for the better.
In Education Professor Owen Skae : Tatham 1979-1981
Married to Vera, Children Shannon (24) and Kieran (21)
Since 2010, I have been an Associate Professor and the Director
of Rhodes Business School at Rhodes University in Makhanda
(Grahamstown). Our focus is very much on sustainability and
responsible leadership as epitomized in our essence of ‘Leadership
for Sustainability’. Being in a small rural city, that has many
challenges; water supply, inequality and high unemployment,
presents us with a microcosm of how business can make the world a
better place. The highlight of being Director has certainly been
obtaining AMBA accreditation, notwithstanding our small size; we
were the 6th Business School in South Africa and 9th in Africa to
achieve it.
My wife, Vera, is a learning support teacher at St Andrews Prep,
my daughter Shannon is in her 2nd year of Masters at Rhodes and my
son Kieran in the 3rd year of a BA at Rhodes.
After matriculating in 1981, I spent a year at the University of
Natal, Pietermaritzburg, and then proceeded to Rhodes University
eventually graduating with an Master of Commerce in 1998 and then
an MBA from Durham University in England in 1990.
A short stint working in London, before returning to South
Africa to work as a strategy consultant for Ernst and Young and
then as Financial Director for my father-in-law’s group of
companies across Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe taught me a
lot about operating in tough business conditions.
Shortly after relocating to Durban in 1994, I was asked to teach
temporarily at the University of Natal on entrepreneurship and it
was at the point that I realised that my passion was in academia.
So shortly thereafter, I joined the Department of Accounting where
I was for 10 years, teaching budding chartered accountants.
During that time, I had been consulting for a UN agency and so
after an opportunity came up to play a greater role in development
of strategic approaches to developing country export
competitiveness, I spent two years in Geneva, being fortunate
enough to travel to many countries that I would otherwise never
have got to go. Still the South African roots were calling and when
I heard about the opportunity going at Rhodes Business School, I
had to take it.
Whilst living in Durban, I became involved in the Old Boys’
branch structures and certainly working with such dedicated and
committed Old Boys such as Kevin O’Brien, John Cheshire and Brett
Davidson, was an incredible experience. There are many others too
that are too numerous to mention, but this is where I really learnt
the special bond that exists between us. I am very privileged to
have served as Old Boys President from 2011 to 2013, sitting on the
Board under the Chairmanship of Gary Ralfe, working with Jamie
Inglis and Guy Pearson as Rector, amazing men.
I and my brother Russell (Tatham 1979 to 1982) were fortunate to
go to Michaelhouse because my father, Rob, was a teacher there,
being Director of Music. The education that I received was quite
profound, but it was only later that I fully appreciated what it
meant. It is hard to put it into words, but it comes to down
appreciating the humility that comes from having an institution
provide the best opportunity to be who you can be and not
compromising on that.
I also serve as the Non-Executive Chairman of GBS Mutual Bank
and am a Non-Executive Director the Good Governance Academy,
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whose patron is Professor Mervyn King. I mention this, because
governance is needed more than ever, the tone of ethical governance
being set in me from my school days.
Now and again, I get asked to write newspaper articles about
business. In a funny way you wonder why anybody would ever seek
your opinion; but it does confirm that business schools are vitally
necessary in our society.
Some of these articles highlight problems that our country has
experienced, so hopefully they have paid a small part in getting us
on the right path of where our country can be.
I consider myself lucky to have worked with and come into
contact with the people that I have. One never stops learning.
Becoming a member of the 7 Continents Marathon Club is a
personal highlight, and something that I put down to the discipline
of my Michaelhouse school days!
Old Boys at MichaelhouseDavid Pachonick joined the Michaelhouse
Intern Programme this year. David has for a while been coaching
junior cricket and we welcome him onto the staff team. David, as
the youngest Old Boy on the Staff, is seen here with Peter Stevens,
the oldest OM staff member and stalwart teacher of mathematics,
water-polo and rugby coach. Peter has also been an outstanding
group leader on the C Block Journey and this year will be his 10th
Journey, a record he shares with Alan Smedley.
Peter recently made headlines when he featured in News24 for his
role in supporting a young rugby enthusiast from Lidgetton. Read
the full story in the link below:
https://m.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/rugby-is-his-lifes-passion-20200217-2
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Old Boys In the Literary WorldWe know of a number of Old Boys
who have turned their hands to writing, Wilbur Smith (Founders
1949) being probably the most famous. John van der Ruit and the
Spud series were prominent more recently. However, others include
Hedley Twidle (Mackenzie 1997) who wrote a dictionary of
Michaelhouse slang words while still at school. Does anyone have a
copy?
Iain Guthrie (Founders 1986) allowed his diary, written and hand
illustrated during his school years, to be printed and sold to
raise funds for the establishment of the Michaelhouse Nature
Reserve. In 1986 after a memorable Natural History Society camping
trip to Botswana, led by Mike Goulding, Dave Pickstone and Blaise
Reynolds, Iain presented each member of the expedition with an
illustrated journal of the camp. I have no doubt that Jabu Leslie,
James Quin, Chris and Rob le Sueur Philip Stanistreet, Chris Heath,
Justin Earle, Charles Tonkinson and Mark Stiebel still proudly own
their rather yellowed, dog-eared but treasured copies. More
recently Iain has been working on an illustrated edition of the
Birds of Balgowan.
Copies of Iain’s book Free Bounds are still available from the
old Boys Club.
Brian Kramer’s personal memoire, “I Believe in Angels”
Brian Kramer is one of the older living Old Boy – now in his
90th year - he was also on the Michaelhouse Board of Governors. He
holds Michaelhouse very dear to his heart and it features
prominently in his book ‘I Believe in Angels”, which records the
life of Brian and his family. Brian led an exciting life,
well-travelled, well-connected, successful, not afraid to stand up
to authority – a life that most people wouldn’t fit into five
lifetimes.
Describing his life experiences, he touches on schools and his
beloved Michaelhouse, family, sugarcane farming in Zululand, the
sugar industry and its politics, meeting people of note, notes on
natural history, travel experiences, game farming and tourism,
flying experiences, and importantly, his passion for music and the
stage. He is an accomplished pianist. The book sells for R150 and
can be obtained from Keith Sanderson on [email protected] or
call 082 8723983
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Michael Cassidy
Michael Cassidy’s Memoirs – Footprints in the African Sand
Michael Cassidy (Pascoe 1950-54) has just brought out his
memoirs, entitled “Footprints in the African Sand.” This intriguing
and highly readable memoir tells his life story beginning with
growing up in old Basutoland, and has fascinating chapters on his
childhood and school days, with two chapters on his Michaelhouse
days which included a fair amount of pain plus many very positive
influences which majorly shaped his life and future destiny.
The story unfolds his Damascus Road experience at Cambridge, his
seminary years in the States, and his call to form an evangelistic
team to minister the gospel in the cities of Africa. This led to
the formation of a mission team called African Enterprise, which
started in South Africa and then spread around the continent with
ten teams now operating in ten different countries. City-wide
missions are recounted with fascinating personal stories and
sometimes amazing impact.
But of course living in South Africa, Michael’s major challenge
was facing how to carry out this ministry in a context of wicked
injustices inflicted on people of colour by the Apartheid
system.
Michael Cassidy worked tirelessly since the 60’s to bring church
leaders together cross-denominationally and cross-culturally to
engage in this dialogue. He reached out continuously to political
leaders to build bridges. Michael launched many different
inter-church conferences and important peace initiatives. Finally,
he facilitated the involvement of the Kenyan negotiator Washington
Okumu who, after major international mediation attempts had
collapsed, brokered the peace agreement by which civil conflict in
Natal was averted and we had our first peaceful democratic
election.
You should be able to get a copy of Michael’s memoirs at any
Christian book-store or at Exclusive Books or directly through
African Enterprise at a discounted price plus postage.
([email protected])
Craig Higginson (Founders 1989): The Dream House
Craig’s acclaimed novel now graces the shelves of the English
Department where it is the set-work for a number of classes
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Visiting South AfricaJames Thorpe (Tatham 2002)
The Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) First XI visited
Old Boy, Founder and CEO of Ballo, Alistair Barnes, at his start-up
company in Cape Town recently. Old Boy, James Thorpe, was one of
four masters who accompanied the team to South Africa as part of
the First XI’s preparation for the upcoming GPS competition.
Traditionally, Churchie tour South Africa every two years starting
at Michaelhouse. However, this year the tour was based in Cape Town
where Churchie played against Paul Roos, Wynberg Boys’, SACS,
Bishops, Rondebosch and a Township Development XI. The Churchie
boys were most impressed by Alistair’s business and several members
of the touring party purchased some of his latest styles. Alistair
spoke about his passion for the environment and outlined many of
the challenges and opportunities small businesses in South Africa
have to grapple with in 2020 and beyond.
James Thorpe and Churchies boys visit Ali Barnes in Cape
Town
From Traumatic Brain Injury to BSc EngineeringAnthony Renton
Just prior to his final matric exam in 2009, Anthony Renton
(Tatham 2005-2009) entered the Hill-to-Hill MTB race. A massive
fall on the route saw him rushed to the emergency room with a
severe head injury, which caused a traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and
left him lying comatose in St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
A few months after the accident, Anthony had recovered just
sufficiently to join Dave (Tatham 1973-1976), Ingrid and sister,
Angela on their planned emigration to Australia.
However, Anthony’s future prospects seemed bleak at best. After
scans and cognitive tests done in Brisbane, the Rentons were told
to lower their expectations and to exclude any tertiary education
plans for Antony. This did not deter the family and they embarked
on a rigorous rehabilitation programme implemented largely by
Ingrid and supported by Angela and Dave.
Dave Renton reports that ”The journey to recovery which started
at St Anne’s and which included a team of Michaelhouse teachers who
prayed over his bed, arm in arm, while he was still unconscious for
those 2 weeks after the accident and extended to a massive network
of prayer groups, initially with the MHS community, then later we
had amazing support from our Church group of friends in South
Africa and from St Marks Buderuim in Queensland. There was a global
network of churches who prayed for Ant every week. Ingrid’s faith
and total dedication in putting everything at the Lords’ feet with
absolute belief that Ant would be as good as new when he was ready
has astounded many and even changed my faith levels.”
For the next few years Ingrid worked daily with Anthony. With
the help of some amazing rehabilitation support nurses and
remedial
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doctors, the she re-taught him to speak, walk, read and study.
She persisted day after day and neither gave up nor lost faith that
Anthony would recover.
Back in South Africa, Michaelhouse submitted motivations to the
IEB for Anthony to be issued with a Matric certificate on the basis
of the marks he achieved at school. Finally two years later his was
declared an exceptional case and UMALUSI issued the Senior
certificate.
Anthony’s recovery has been remarkable, a wonderful good news
story, ending with a BSc Engineering degree with Honours, a
full-time job and recently his purchase of an all-electric Tesla
(good choice!) ordered directly from Elon Musk’s factory in the
USA!
Members of the Medical field continue to question Dave and
Ingrid on how they achieved this remarkable recovery during the
years of rehabilitation. Ingrid responds in her own words:
“…never…never ever doubt the power of my Lord!
Anthony Renton in Brisbane. Young engineer and proud owner of a
new Tesla
MarriagesThe old Chronicles make delightful reading and the 1906
edition has this quaint record of the marriage of a staff
member:
“Mr. Ferrar was married at Xmas, and now lives under his own
fig-tree, but within easy call of the school bell. We have known
his wife long enough to appreciate his eagerness to make the
engagement as brief as possible.”
• We know of only one of our OM’s who married during the
Christmas Holiday and we wish Michael Griffin (West 2008) and
Georgie (Marques), who were married in the Chapel on 28 December
2019, happiness under their own fig tree.
Engagements• Matthew Mackay (West 2001) to Samantha Wickham
Arrivals• Michael Schaefer (Farfield 1993) and Nicola recently
celebrated the arrival of their new daughter, Stacey-Jane
• Gerry Noel (Tatham 2003) and Megan welcomed a daughter, Rumi
Jacqueline on 4 February 2020
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Departures• Adrian Rogers (Past Member of Staff and Housemaster
of Farfield)
• Anthony Hoon (Farfield 1946)
RetirementsDr Donald Clark (Farfield 1946, St Michael Award
2014) finally hung up his stethoscope at the age of 90 after more
than six decades of selfless service to his community. We salute
you, Dr Clark.
FarewellsAs you may know, Robyn Gruijters has taken up her new
post as Development Officer at Cowan House and Michelle Huntley
moves to Harrismith when Pete takes over as head of Harriston
School at the end of term. We welcome Taryn Murdey as the new Old
Boys’ Administrator and Archivist and are also most grateful to
Belinda Boast, who has kindly offered to help with the planning and
organising of the Gaudies on 17 April and Old Boys Day on 18 April
(Please send in your RSVP’s).
Robyn Gruijters, off to Cowan House Michelle and Peter Huntley,
off to Harriston
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Old Boy EventsBotswana 8 February 2020
The Rector, Antony Clark and Xillen van Rooyen met with a
gathering of Botswana Old Boys hosted by Mike Roberts.
From Left to Right: John Wilson, Brendan Garcin, Anthony Garden,
Antony Clark (Rector), Mudiwa Mwayi, Mike Roberts, Chris
Manger.
Not in photo: Neil Mosienyane and Kweku Bortsie
UK Old Boys’ Committee. February 2020
From Left to Right: Sean Lumley, Rick Peacock-Edwards, Ryan
Maree, Rory Mckenna
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Durban 20 Feb 2020
Back from left: Jonno Pretorius, James Macquet, Brett Davidson,
James Greig, James Wilson, Warwick Riebeck, Chris Hall-Jones, Simon
Grout, Brent Maartens, Larry Southwood, Craig Sugden, Peter
Lambert.
Seated: Steven Boast, Iain Lambert (Capt), Nigel Williamson, Rob
HarveyFront: Dave Lambert, Wayne Witherspoon
Old Boys Day 2020
Old Boys DayFixtures vs Northwood
Gaudy Dinners
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Upcoming USA and CANADA
Old Boys & partners are invited to join Old Boys’ Club
Secretary, Paul Fleischack, as he visits a few of our Old Boy hubs
in the USA & Canada. Paul will be sharing news from Balgowan,
as well as updating Old Boys on some projects and advancements
for the Old Boys’ community.
NEW YORK 19 March 2020 | Time: TBC | Venue: Manhattan, New
York
RSVP: Peter Campbell (Founders, 1998 – 2002) on
[email protected]
VANCOUVER21 March 2020 | Venue: Sylvia Hotel
Drinks from 17h45 | Dinner from 18h30 (For your own
account)RSVP: Bill Galloway (Pascoe, 1961 – 1964) on
[email protected]
LOS ANGELES27 March 2020 | Venue: Thorrington-Smith Home,
Malibu
17h30 for 18h00 | Snacks & DrinksRSVP:
[email protected]
19 MarchNEW YORK
21 MarchVANCOUVER
27 MarchLOS ANGELES
From the Archives Our latest matric results, the seventh
successive year in which our boys have earned an average of at
least two subject A’s per boy are cause for celebration. However,
this has not always been the case. Just over one hundred years ago,
the Chronicle of 1914 reports on the matric results as follows:
“In the Cape Matriculation Examination, our candidates suffered,
in common with those of other schools, from the rigorous treatment
meted out to them by the examiners in Dutch. Higgins, Nunn, Walker
and Young obtained their aggregate of marks for a pass, and were
ruled out in the Dutch paper only. In the Cambridge Locals, the
Juniors, by no means a strong contingent, fell short of last year’s
results, while the Preliminary successes were a distinct advance on
previous years.
Cape Matriculation examination: Second class: 1 boy. Third
Class: 3 boys.”
Better news was reported in the 1906 Chronicle:
“The last shall be first. It was announced on the eve of Prize
Day that the Natal Rhodes Scholarship for this year was awarded to
C. G. Roach, to whom accordingly we offer our heartiest
congratulations. Roach leaves behind him a creditable record of
deeds done in form and field during his six years’ stay in
Michaelhouse, and we hope that the future will bring him still more
glorious laurels to wear. He is the last link that connects us with
that previous state of our existence when the school was in
Maritzburg, and figures as a very tiny boy in the photograph of the
Migration Group. Our very best wishes follow him to Oxford, and we
feel sure that he will prove himself a worthy addition to Exeter
College.”
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