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A Trip Down Memory Lane - 2020 Rugby Tour

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000927
  • Stuk
  • 2020

A trip down memory Lane by: Gus Garcia – Old Boys St David’s
It is 2020 and I’m feeling totally nostalgic to reflect back on my years at St David’s, which ended 31 years ago, but whose memories remain as vivid as though they were only yesterday. Perhaps this is because my son Kiko is in his Matric year and I have been fortunate enough to relive a second school experience through his journey at St David’s. I have been frequently struck by the similarities of the school, then and now, in terms of the fundamental ethos and values, which have not deviated nor been altered in any way. St Davids has steadfastly refused to change its core character in a fast changing environment and results orientated world. The School has suffered and faced many challenges over the years, only to re-emerge stronger, brighter and wiser for having withstood these headwinds.The Marist Brothers ethos of family, community, simplicity, humility and reflection through prayer and mass, are ubiquitous in all aspects of school life. Whilst these values are not always apparent in ones early years, these essential truths reveal themselves as one progresses in age and consciousness. How amazing was it to discover that my son was being taught by 4 teachers who taught me. How satisfying to watch the accepting demeanour of our boys, truly representing our cosmopolitan nation, roaming the school and the playground.Walking the corridors after so many years brought in a rush of memories both good and bad. The laughs, the tears and the shared hopes and fears of my fellow brothers. Some have passed on, others are in far away lands and yet others remain close at hand, but all are remembered and loved. St Davids was never considered a top sporting school and yet every age group punched well above their weight in all categories. In fact being the perennial underdog resulted in a tighter knit group and forged friendships and brotherhoods for life. Representing the St David’s first team for rugby was a cherished moment for me and one I could share joyfully with my son when he was asked to join the touring team in 2020. It has been 18 years of wonder and joy watching you develop into a wonderful young man. I am excited for Kiko and his band of brothers who will embark on a fantastic adventure, irrespective of whether they win, lose or draw, so long as they cherish the endeavour and the journey and most importantly take courage to be men of virtue and value.

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with John Peel 1970

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000820
  • Stuk
  • 2010

Interview with John Peel – 1970
John joined St David’s in grade 1, 1958 and was a day boy which meant he had more of a
family life and time with his brothers and sisters which he felt was important to him, although, if
he had been a boarder he would have been able to participate in more sport. On his first day he
recalled the smell of lead pencil and erasers shavings and sitting next to his friends Adrienne
Tygh and Antoinne Simaan.
The teachers he remembers are Brothers Anthony (Ounges), Andrew (Drac), Bosco (Boing) and
Br Sean in standard 6. He recalled being caught smoking on rugby tour twice by Drac; being
caught pinching orange juice out of the store room together with Willy Castle; being sent out and
standing in the corridor and hearing the click of “Ounges” fingers and “to my office boy”.
He really enjoyed the sport and was a member of the 1st rugby team, 1st cricket team, tennis
2nds, athletics team, golf and swimming. He entered into every heat to get out of school but
couldn’t swim a stroke. He was selected for the 1971 hockey, SADF; 1990 – 2005 Mpumalanga
Masters Hockey; 1974 Transvaal cricket; 1972 rugby U/20 Transvaal.
The friends he had and with who he is still in contact are Willy Castle, Keith Shaw, Dan Toner,
Phillip Karakashin, Errol Macaulay and Johnny Williams.
He recalls being a prefect and not particularly enjoying catching fellow smokers.
His last day he remembers sitting at the Rosebank Hotel (not in uniform) and having a beer.
On leaving school he went to Wits Technical College and Pretoria Technical College and is
currently employed as an ecologist.
John last visited the school in 2001
2010

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Cynthia Hildyard 1970 - 1985 Staff

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000748
  • Stuk
  • 2010

Interview with Cynthia Hildyard - Staff 1970 – 1985
Cynthia taught grade 2 while at St D’s. Those were the days of ITA spelling which did not work
well and was later dropped. It was a very different school while boarders were here. Lunches
consisted mainly of roasts and vegetables. Matron Buckley-Jones had her room next to the old
library (now the Music centre).
Brothers she knew whilst she was teaching were Br Anthony the headmaster, Br Bosco (Mario),
Br Aidan, the bursar, a very quiet man, Br Andrew (Dracula), Br Bernard – excellent at
photography and art, Br Ronald who left very quietly, Br Mario a Mexican brother taught Maths
but the boys found it very difficult to understand him.
Old Boys she remembered were Kevin Carter who was with Ken Oostebroek when he was
killed while photographing the riots, Alexis Apostolides who had growth behind the eye and went
to America for treatment, the Slaven brothers Andrew, John and Jeffrey.
Cynthia has two sons who attended St David’s. John matriculated in 1974 and Mark in 1978.
Interview: Monday 11 October 2010 GA

Anderson, Glenda

Interview with Cecil Thokoane 1985

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000731
  • Stuk
  • 2012

Interview with Cecil Thokoane – 1985
Cecil came to St David’s in June 1982 at the age of 12 into standard 7 and matriculated in 1985
age 16. Cecil was born in Soweto and went to a government school for his primary schooling. In
standard 3 his teacher thought he was too smart and he was promoted to standard 4. Cecil’s
mother wanted him to go to a Catholic school either Holy Cross or St Matthews, run by the
nuns. In May 1982 Sister Michael gave him a letter in which he was awarded a scholarship by
British Petroleum for tuition at St David’s. Fortunately his school colours were the same and he
got the rest of his school uniform from the swop shop. It was quite an experience, not knowing
who, where or what but he was made to feel welcome and at home. Even so it was quite a
transition and, since his mother had taken him to school by tram which stopped at Dunkeld he
had to find his own way home and got lost walking back. Eventually he used to ride in a Combi
with much younger boys to school but as he had to stay later for sport he had to use public
transport to get home. He used to have to get up at 5.00am and spend an hour travelling to
school and when he had sport it would take him even longer to get home.
He remembers meeting Mr Murphy and being mobbed the first lunch hour and given a crash
course in rugby. He went into Osmond house and when he finally settled in was able to excel
academically. He learnt to play rugby, becoming quite a good player making the A team. He
also performed well at athletics and collected a number of accolades including being awarded
the Sandton Mayorial Trophy two years in a row and breaking the record for the 800m.
Cecil was not a member of the swimming team and tells the story of how he nearly drowned
earning the wrath of Willy Castle. He had been at the school a couple of months, it was the
beginning of the summer/spring season and PT shifted to the swimming pool where the boys
were going to play water-polo. Being just 12 he thought he could just swim and got into the pool
at the deep end and promptly proceeded to sink. Fortunately one of his class mates, Steve the
American, spotted him and rescued him. By lunch time the whole school knew that he had
nearly drowned and he only started taking lessons two years ago in 2009 overcoming his fear.
Cecil enjoyed playing rugby and gradually improved becoming quite a good kicker. His first
rugby game was quite funny as he had literally been given a week’s classroom tutorial about the
game. He went in as a sub and when he first saw this mean faced, spitting, fuming guy from
Parktown Boys barrelling down on him and, even though it was his first game ever, he sensed
that if he were to let him go past he would score and right royally embarrass him. He caught him
with a high tackle, he didn’t score, they were penalised but didn’t lose any points. This was his
debut into 4 years of sweat, pain and fun as well.
He remembered a particular rugby game. It was during an U14 game and St David’s was trailing
9-11. He thought they had lost the game, in front of a full crowd waiting to watch the 1st team
match against Marist Observatory, the match of the season and compulsory. There were literally
a few minutes left to the last whistle and as fullback he was lounging under the poles and then
they were awarded a penalty 10 or so metres into their half. He thought that the front would run
the ball and attempt a try. Next thing he heard his name being called, the team wanted him to
kick for goal and earn 3 points. He told them it was too far and they shouted that he had made
those kind of kicks during practise. So all of a sudden everyone was looking at him, the whole
place was quiet. He went up, made a nice sand mound and started taking his back-step, only
this time he went back at least 20 metres; all the while saying his Hail Marys. He took what felt
like a long slow motion run and kicked that ball with all his might. His kick was dead straight
and, from his vantage point it looked as if the ball had fallen short. Next thing the whole stadium
erupted with jubilation. It took seconds for him to realise that he had scored the penalty from
that distance and had also won the school the game. His moment of glory! The first team went
on to win their match and on monday he had the pleasure of the whole episode being recounted
to the school at assembly.
Another game he remembered was an U14 away game at Parktown Boys, the ref was a 1st year
student from Wits and half the guys were bigger than Cecil. They had been having a bad
season so the game deteriorated pretty quickly and the ref completely lost control with full on
brawls on the field. The game was abandoned and Cecil was in a bit of a fix because he
planned to walk from Parktown Boys into town to catch his bus home. After the fight he was the
only blue and yellow rugby shirt in a sea of black and red. In the spirit of sportsmanship they
chuckled about the fights during the game as he made his way to the gate – the year of living
dangerously.
Most rugby games were a mixture of excitement and fear. There simply weren’t many black
children playing rugby and a lot of times Cecil could see the other team marking him up as he
got off the bus in all cases to try and make his game a misery. However he was lightning fast
and they couldn’t catch him most of the time and his Marist brothers and team mates were
always close by to bring woe unto whoever felt the urge to harm him outside the normal rules of
the game. Unfortunately because the riots were so bad, he stopped playing rugby in Matric and
he didn’t make the 1st team.
The teachers he remembered were Mrs Evans for making him feel welcome when he first
arrived at St David’s. Mrs Evans caused an explosion during a Chemistry class. She was
showing how sodium, he thought, reacted with water. The boys started to urge her to throw in
larger chunks and a large explosion followed which the boys thought was awesome but left Mrs
Evans very red-faced.
Mr Boswell understood where he came from and found a family, the Hoffmeyers for him to stay
with during the Matric exams literally saving his life as the Combi he normally travelled in was
attacked and he would have been targeted. Mr Colia was always cold and hard but made him
want to really prove himself at Maths. Mr Farrel,for enabling him to enjoy History, his only
distinction in Matric and Mrs Elliot for teaching him to love Shakespeare. He shocked her by
getting a first class English pass for Matric, so much so that she wrote him a card expressing
her joy.
Cecil was awarded scrolls for History and Biology. He couldn’t participate in school plays etc
because the travelling was so difficult. He used to get nervous doing orals in front of the class
and remembers talking about his then hobby ballroom dancing which caused some hilarity. On
his last day he wrote Afrikaans and stayed with the Hoffmeyers going home the following
weekend. He was sad to leave St David’s where he had grown up intellectually and as a person.
He had an awesome time and came into an environment where he became good at sport and
was given the opportunity to reach new heights.
After school Cecil went to Wits to study mining engineering which was a disaster as he realised
he was not mechanically inclined. He then went to the University of the Western Cape where he
studied for a BSc majoring in Maths and Physics and his minors were in Computer Science and
Applied Maths with dreams of working as a nuclear physicist. Later he also completed an MBL
through Unisa. Although he was sponsored by BP he was recruited by Engen when his career
in IT began. He also worked for the stock exchange, IBM and a start up company for 3 years
which failed. He then went on to Dimension Data and worked with Jason Goodall, an Old Boy of
the same year, as chief technical officer for Middle and East Africa. Jason is currently the MD of
Dimension Data. Cecil is now running his own company; Galeboe Professional Services which
has grown 300 – 400%.He is a finalist in the Finance Week competition for entrepreneurs.
Cecil is also vice-chairperson of the Unisa Alumni Committee and a non-executive director of
the Unisa School of Business Leadership. He has three daughters Jade 13, Tyler 11 and Eisha
6 all pupils at St Teresa’s where his wife went to school.
He is a member of MOBS and is in touch with a number of old boys such as Jason Goodall,
Branden Aab, Solly Maponya, Walter Cronje, Jeremy Franklin, Eugene Taylor, Paul Johnston
and Rees Carr.
JLE June 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Greg Royce 1989 - 1995 Staff

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000797
  • Stuk
  • 2011

Greg Royce 1989 to 1995 Greg was deputy head at St Martin’s until March 1989 before being appointed as
prep headmaster at St David’s. He and his wife Pam were very touched as staff held a welcome lunch at the
tennis courts.
Greg stated that the school was running well despite the lack of a headmaster for so many years. The only
problem he found was that each person was doing their own thing instead of sharing ideas with each other.
His first task was to formalise things and found that he got on well with the staff and that they accepted him.
He always got on very well with Willy Castle and, on one particular occasion Willy wanted a meeting with Greg.
A date and time was duly arranged but Willy didn’t pitch, Greg found out later that Willy and Carol Ansell were
having lunch together and that Willy had forgotten about the meeting!
Greg worked well with his deputy, David Spence. David had a flair for implementing Greg’s many ideas and
worked hard to implement the thinking skills and helped arrange for Dr Edward de Bono to visit St David’s.
Under Greg’s guidance St David’s became the first school to introduce Kumon in South Africa. The nursery
schools were also asked not to concentrate on table top activities but rather to concentrate on gross and fine
motor activities. Greg was also instrumental in introducing remedial therapy, occupational therapy and speech
therapy into the school. He also encouraged the reintroduction of music into the curriculum. Working with Paul
Davies proved difficult at times due to Paul being very dogmatic but on the whole they worked well together.
Paul introduced the house system and he brought more formality to proceedings. Greg felt that the prep
should be represented on the board and wrote a letter requesting prep representation. This was a slow
process and took about 2 years before Greg was allowed to attend and address prep issues.
Greg always found the parents warm and supportive but unfortunately they always compared St David’s to St
John’s or St Stithian’s. The one thing the parents didn’t take into account was that the fees were substantially
lower than these other schools so the school didn’t have the funds and thus it was difficult to compete with
them. The prep pavilion was built during Greg’s stay at St David’s. Greg had budgeted for a double garage to
be built to house equipment but once the parents saw the building in progress, they willing gave money and so
the whole project expanded and a concrete slab was laid to provide for a first floor. The school expanded into
3 streams per grade, which made St David’s more competitive and also provided more capital for projects.
As regards the board, Greg felt that Terrence Wilkinson was an excellent chairman. He brought
professionalism into the board and the school started to flourish under his guidance. The PTA also played a
huge part in school life. One major project was when they erected the roof over the stands surrounding the
pool under the chairmanship of Mike O’Shea. Greg decided to leave St David’s in March 1995 because he
was offered a very good package from St Peter’s and with a growing family this was important as was the fact
that Greg was an anglican and of course St David’s was a catholic school.
Greg has fond memories of St David’s as their third child, Liam, was born while Greg was headmaster here.
Liam enjoyed the life at school and a familiar sight was Liam being pushed around the campus in his pram.
Greg loved his time at St David’s where he worked hard and played hard! He started the potjiekos competition
which still takes place, as well as the staff christmas ‘thank you’ party. Greg enjoyed his wine but also loved
the bush and nature. He encouraged the school to plant indigenous trees and also took groups of boys on
camps into the bush. Greg loved animals and encouraged the staff to look after the birds and animals in the
birdcage in the prep playground. The guinea fowl on the property had chicks but one got isolated and was
struggling to survive so Greg put it in the birdcage for protection because he felt it would not survive outside.
He, unfortunately, had to release the bird due to huge pressure, but as suspected, the bird was killed on the
first day that it was released!
In closing Greg stated that he enjoyed his time at St David’s and has fond memories. He also enjoyed working
with the Brothers and meeting the other Marist Heads. January 2011

Anderson, Glenda

Interview with Bonny Pooley - Parent 1996-2005

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000715
  • Stuk
  • 2012

Interview with Bonny Pooley 1996 – 2005
Bonny first became involved with St David’s when her son Gilbert started high school in grade 8
in 1996, and she continued to be so for about ten years even after Gilbert had left.
Bonny assisted in reviving MOBS and established the first contact lists. She was very involved
with the MOBs aspect of the PTA golf day and organised the MOBS annual dinner for two
years.
She also played a big role in the teaching of Religious Education in the high school and helped
Rev Bruce until he left and took over in the interim until Br Mario joined the staff. Whilst Gilbert
was still at the school, she also assisted with the teaching of RE in the prep school for at least
one term.
Bonny also worked for four years with the boys towards their confirmation. Bonny organised the
boys’ retreat hiring a bus to take them to their destination in the Hartbeespoort dam area
together with Father Michael and another teacher. Working together with Chris Busschau she
was responsible for the fact that St David’s ran the programme for the Catholic schools in the
area.
Bonny recalled a special Mass when Father Paul Saggie, a young priest celebrated the Mass in
the middle of Champagnat hall. This had a tremendous impact on the boys and gave them their
first taste of a modern celebration of Mass. Bonny felt that the time she spent with Father
Saggie was very special.
Belinda Marais assisted with the SMILE programme and with a trip to the Baragwanath
oncology unit.
Bonny was class mother all the time Gilbert was at St David’s and helped with the organisation
of various functions especially the school plays when she was in charge of front of house. In
addition she was very involved with the tuck shop helping Mary von Guilliame. She was on the
ladies committee organising the annual mothers’ luncheon at the Bryanston Country Club and
was in charge of the rosta list. For sporting events such as hockey, Bonny was responsible for
the catering for both home and away matches and the annual dinners.
Bonny’s husband Gil was also active within the school and helped with chess as an extra-mural
together with Martie Andrew.
Bonny felt that Paul Edey brought out the best in her son and in fact all the boys during his time
at St David’s winning their admiration and respect.
Some of her son Gilbert’s contemporaries were Damien Tucker; Michael Rands who is currently
in Japan and has published two books; Brendan Murray and his brother Michael who resides in
Australia; Gareth Reece; Paul Slabolepski; Ashton Hayes, David Dias.
Other families Bonny felt made a mark on the school and should be contacted were:
Marsay family
Wharton-Hood
Kevin Brewer and his son Craig “84
The Busschau family
Chemaly
Flascannaro – Luke’98
Giuricich
Gonsalves’ 2002
Gore Vincent and Kevin one is a member of parliament and disabled – the 90’s
Maraschin family
Mitri – the father organised the firework display for Bonfire Night
Peel – 3 brothers ’66, ’70 and ’78 – John, Kevin and Michael- they were farmers in Mpumalanga
Rugani, Vito – son Ivor’ 76 together with Darko and the older Von Guilleame was responsible fot
the MOBS bursary
Schoombie family – Mark, Paul and Sean
Simaan, Andrew, Antoine and Gaby
JE March 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Geoffrey Sater 1949

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000785
  • Stuk
  • 2011

Interview with Geoffrey Sater – 1949 23 May 2011
Geoffrey and his wife Sandra are friends of Tony Chappel, former chair of the board of
governors
Geoffrey came to St David’s in 1943 from Saxonwold Primary and went into Std 4. He was a
day boy living near the Zoo opposite the Westwater family. Johnny Westwater was a jockey and
a Catholic and his boys went to St David’s. Geoffrey’s parents decided it would be a good idea
to send their son there too even though they weren’t catholic. They used to catch a bus to
Dunkeld and the school transport (Chevrolet?) picked them up from there. Eventually he used to
cycle via Fricker Road.
Br Urban was the headmaster, Br Celestine taught him Latin and Maths, Br Alban – Afrikaans.
Geoff remembers him getting rather inebriated at the matric dance!
Pupils he remembers:
Malcolm Rowe whose father was principal of the Technical College in Johannesburg., retired to
a farm in Mooi River;Mark Madeyski – reugees from Eastern Europe, his father was a coal
miner and became a mining engineer in SA; Hugh Gearing - his grandfather developed
windmills to draw water. Lived in Northcliff and came to school on a motorbike;
Harry Grisdale – studied medicine and worked at Marianhill Mission station all his life;
Socrates Vartos – Greek whose parents ran a tearoom in Rosebank corner of Tyrwhitt and
Oxford; Terence Smyth (Deceased)– lived in Sunninghill , all fruit farms, they were in contact
with Sally Smyth; Boris Babaya – parents ran a butchery north of Johannesburg station;
Core Seeling – parents had a seedling business. Sandra is in touch with the family.
Stan Barale (Deceased) - was head prefect and rugby captain
The following boys came from Portugese East Africa and used to get the train to Joubert Park
and walk to Koch St. Where they would get transport to the school by Chevrolet. Carlos
Almeida, Louis Da Cruz, Danta de Nobrega
There were some Lebanese boys who were refugees from Lebanon. They didn’t play rugby or
football, were very restrained, had been persecuted. One of them he remembers is Assad.
Parents:
Asher Swede– Bookmaker who donated trophy and equipment
Awards: He was awarded a prefects scroll and was the school Dux.
Sport: He was a in the rugby 1st 1V, swam in swimming galas, played cricket 1st II, although he
didn’t regard himself as being particularly good. The sports fields were being laid out at the time
and boxing with Harry Best as Coach, was popular.
Career:
He studied Mining Geology at Wits where he met his wife. He worked in the then Northern
Rhodesia, where David Livingstone died. He went onto Canada working for the Quebec
Geological Survey having studied French at Wits. Then went onto McGill University where he
did his MSc. Came back to SA and to his future wife and eventually worked for Alcan Aluminium
in Maritzburg. Later he joined the government who sent him to London as the Minerals and
Energy representative for SA. His children, two sons and a daughter spent some time growing
up there and are all now living in the UK
JE May 2011

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Michael Wickins 1994

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000850
  • Stuk
  • 2010

Interview with Michael Wickins – 1994
Michael began his career at St David’s in grade1, 1983 and recalls how proud he was of his
brown suitcase.
The teachers he remembers are Mr Kotze standard 5, Mrs Marais, Afrikaans, high school and
Mr Girdwood standard 8 -10.
Michael loved the camaraderie, especially on the sports field, the pride in the school and
knowing how fortunate we were to be Marist boys, to be part of that family and culture. One
thing he did not enjoy was being made to swim in his jocks by Mr Castle!
He has good memories and every day was a good laugh at some point but he specifically
remembers the tours and “veld schools” as being particularly amusing. On one particular tour
they were staying at a place called Moholoholo (which due to its appalling conditions they soon
dubbed “Shitoholoholo) which had 5 open air toilets lined up in the bush. One of them had
literally spawned on its own eco-sysytem in the bowl, so one of his classmates lit and threw a
cherry bomb into it. The toilet was blown to smithereens. His abiding memory is of the whole
class lined up to get jacked as a result but it was really worth it!
Michael captained the 2nd XI cricket, with occasional guest appearances in the 1st XI and 1st
team hockey.
Michael remembered the valedictory mass and being made a prefect but probably more than
any other event he remembers his father presenting him with the same honours blazer that he
had worn some thirty years before
On his last day the boys tried, unsuccessfully to throw Mr Girdwood into the pool and he recalls
looking at his classmates and believing beyond any shadow of doubt that they would be friends
forever. He is still in touch with Rakesh Parbhoo and Simon Denny and is a member of MOBS.
After leaving school, Michael gained a BComm and LLB from Wits University and an H.Dip Tax
from RAU.
He is currently principal, investment banking at Nedbank Capital specialising in renewable
energy project finance.
Michael has a stepson Thomas Weeden in grade 5 and his son Luke is enrolled for 2016 and
visits the school on a regular basis.
2010

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Kevin Wallace 1984

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000826
  • Stuk
  • 2010

Interview with Kevin Wallace - 1984
Kevin was born in the Drakensburg and attended nursery school there. The family moved to
Gauteng in 1975 and he and his brother Gary were enrolled at St David’s and were quickly
absorbed by the heritage of the school and the ethos. Kevin was then in standard 1.
Kevin was a sports fanatic and not really interested in academics. He enjoyed school but thrived
on the sports field. He can remember having great respect for the prefects when he was in the
prep. He also feels that the school produces a good quality human being who will be useful in
society.
As regards staff, Kevin remembers Mr Kotze, Mrs Napier, Ms Joseph and Br Ephrem in the
prep. In the college two teachers he remembers well are Mr Colia and Mrs Elliott. Mr Murphy
he remembers as telling the boys that he was always 100% fair and 200% ruthless! He was the
headmaster who brought back the wearing of the academic gowns. Mr Frielich was not a
dynamic headmaster but Br Anthony was an icon. Other brothers he remembers are Br Bernard
and Br Mario who did an experiment with happy gas after a soccer match which they all
enjoyed.
Nick Prium was head boy in his matric year and he remembers Rhys Carr and Gregory
McLeroth who now owns a restaurant in Johannesburg. Brian Muller and Brett Airey have both
done very well since leaving school. Peter Sapseid is a brilliant teacher in the UK but first taught
in Zimbabwe.
Kevin is married with 2 daughters and lives in Cape Town.
13 October 2010

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Gilbert Pooley 2001

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000790
  • Stuk
  • 2012

Interview with Gilbert Pooley – 2001
Gilbert came to St David’s in standard 6 and stayed until he wrote his matric in standard 10.
This was the time when Paul Edey was headmaster. Paul had a real presence and influence in
the school and Gilbert was a big fan of his, he was a traditional, charismatic leader and put his
stamp on the school. He built a personal relationship with the boys and still taught History, his
passion was clearly teaching and education and he was an inspiring teacher. He had a way of
making a boy feel as if he were the centre of attention. Both positively and negatively he used
this technique in the classroom turning every lesson it into an engaging performance. The
school was still relatively small in 2001 with a matric group of 75 boys.
During Gilbert’s tenure the school underwent a massive transformation with the new
Champagnat hall, the high school pavilion (before this was built the boys had to change for
sport’s practice on the side of the field) and library.
On his first day he recalls lining up on the basketball courts (currently the amphitheatre) in front
of Paul Edey and head boy, Adriano Iorio, who was wearing his honours blazer, Gilbert was so
struck by Adriano in his techno-coloured formal attire that he was unsure whether Adriano was a
radical, teacher or well awarded pupil But there was no doubt that this young man in his odd
uniform was an adult, and one’s time at St David’s would change one from being the little boy
entering standard 6 (grade 8) into a man.
Gilbert played hockey and cricket and valued the enforced culture of all boys participating,
which was healthy and assisted in the development of many personal relationships.
Gilbert participated in drama performing in one-act plays as well as the school’s annual
productions. He was also very involved in debating, public speaking and chess, as the school
grew it became more competitive in those areas. He really enjoyed the cultural aspect although
it was perceived as a sideline to sport and, nerdy. There was still no high school choir or Music
department. He feels that many of those cultural activities formed him even though today he
works in business; it gave him self-confidence and the ability to present himself in a positive
light. He is very grateful for that and proud that it has developed within the school and believes
that it is a huge differentiator in later life.
The staff who made a special contribution to the cultural aspects of the school during his period
were Mr Foulds, Mrs Cameron and Ms Voorendyck (then Ms Vroom).
Opportunities to meet girls in the school environment rarely presented themselves. One such
opportunity was the first dramatic collaboration with neighbouring girls’ school Brecia House
(“The Boyfriend” in 2000 and “As You Like It” in 2001). This started the trend towards more
accessible and popular school plays, which continues today.
As at many boys’ schools he recalls the desire to meet girls was matched only by rampant
homophobia. The fact that several of his contemporaries later “came out of the closet” once they
had matriculated from St David’s is not missed.
Reverend Bruce, more than most teachers, characterised his time at St David’s, Gilbert was a
member of Bishops and the Rev was appointed his class tutor. Rev had a different philosophy
and approach. Gilbert, as all boys from his era, recalls being scolded by Rev for inappropriate
use of the word “sorry”. He brought a brand of pastoral care which was firm but comical and his
departure from the school to New Zealand was a loss.
Gilbert’s mother Bonny was involved in the tuck shop, hockey and many parent committees and
events. She was close to stalwarts such as matron, Mary Ryan, Mary von Guilleaume and
Father Michael. She taught Religious Education briefly, preparing boys for their confirmation, as
well as helping with MOBS.
There was another not so positive aspect of St David’s life at the time - the influence of a group
of boys in the 2000 matric group. They were seen as a little “Mafia”. They caused plenty of
internal trouble and had an unfortunate effect on the school’s reputation. Their little rule of terror
bred an unhealthy rivalry with other boys’ schools during this period.
Gilbert participated in the co-workers which was run by Rev Bruce and joined in the collections
for the old age home, planted a park in Soweto and was involved in civies days raising money.
This set a trend in Gilbert’s life of getting involved with social development. Whilst he was at
UCT he volunteered for SHAWCO and currently, together with Andrew Levy he runs “Umuzi
Photo Club” a youth development organisation which focuses on using the creative arts to
engage young people and to raise awareness with a goal of effecting positive change in
communities such as Diepsloot, Alexandra and Hillbrow. Umuzi pairs the young people and
media professionals with the aim of creating active compelling media for change. They will be
hosting an exhibition in Braamfontein from 29 March 2012 entitled “I am an Activist” focusing on
three communities and their problems.
Gilbert feels that the war cry reflects the sentiment of Marist Inanda –
Matrics : Kalamazumba
School: WA WA
M: Kalamazumba
S: CHA CHA
M: SEMISAKA WAKA WA
S: SEMISAKA WAKA WA
M: CHA WA
All: M.A.R.I.S.T. MARIST INANDA!
Gilbert left St David’s to study at UCT, and completed 4 years Business Science, he then went
to Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland where he completed his Masters in Economics. He joined the
Boston Consulting Group in London as a management consultant which included working for
some SA clients. He was instrumental in opening a BCG office in Johannesburg in 2011 but he
left BCG in 2011 and is now running his own company offering strategy consulting to clients in
resources (mining, oil and gas).
He sees a positive change in expectations at the school; in his time he felt less pressure to
strive for excellence and in academics, which now appears to be more important. There is more
of a performance culture at the school today.
In 2003 Gilbert had the opportunity while holidaying with his family in Rome. Gilbert had the
opportunity to attend the canonization of Marcellin Champagnat, it gave him a sense of the
international presence of Marist schools. He reflects that there appears to be no opportunities
for greater inter-action between Marist schools in South Africa.
JE February 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Dennis Adams

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Interview with Dennis Adams – 1959
With a great start to his school career Dennis missed the first day of school in 1948 as his
mother was mixed up about the dates. His father was a KES old boy but as the family lived
down the road from the school it was an obvious choice. Initially he was taken to school but later
rode his bicycle for most of his school life – up what is now Rivonia Road – the school being
7/10 of a mile away! The family had many friends with children at the school and his mother
served on the ladies committee for most of his school life.
The school had expansive grounds, but was running out of space and Dennis remembers that
the big break for the school was acquiring the neighbouring land from the McGill-Love’s on their
deaths. He recalled McGill-Love driving a rather large and expensive black car, an Armstrong
Sidley (he thinks), which impressed him no end.
Dennis enjoyed the junior school and the teachers included Mrs Brophy, Mrs Stirton and Mrs
Batten, none of whom took any nonsense from the boys in their charge. One, they nicknamed
“turtle dove.” In his opinion Mrs Kempster who was his teacher in standard 4, was the best
teacher, very strict with a pen in one hand and a strap in the other. However, she got the best
results and paved the way for high school for Dennis and many of the boys. The brothers took
over from standard 6. He remembers (could he ever forget!) Br Urban, Br Edwin, Br Benedict,
Br Gerald, Br Anthony who taught Maths and Br Bonaventure who was a fun guy who loved
sport. The best was Brother James who had just arrived after teaching for 20 years in China
and, if any lesson became boring, the boys just had to ask a question on China and the time
flew!
Dennis was mostly involved with swimming and life-saving which was introduced in 1958. He
avoided rugby by becoming a linesman. He remembers many trips in Gertie, the school bus,
which accommodated one team at a time - no seat belts in those days!
Dennis recalled the polio epidemic in the early 1950’s. School continued there was at lot of
pressure about all children being inoculated but a number of children including Dennis and his
siblings were not inoculated.
On the cultural front, he was part of the chorus in “HMS Pinafore” and the “Pirates of
Penzance”.In 1953 he was in the choir that went to Selbourne Hall where they were the first
boys’ school to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” with Mr Drummond-Bell conducting.
Dennis achieved a high academic standard throughout and was first each year until standard 4
when he slipped back a bit. From standard 7 until standard 9, competing with other Marist
schools, he won prizes for Scripture and a few other subjects. In 1958 the matric results had
been very poor, no-one really knew why but it was endemic in many of the private schools.
Because of that, Dennis studied Bookkeeping at home as a 7th subject to clinch the first class
matric which he achieved with a distinction in Maths. The minimum marks required were 1250
for 6 subjects and 1350 for 7. Dennis’s brother and sister didn’t fare too well academically and
were transferred to Damelin to complete their matric.
Dennis became a prefect, captained Osmond and was awarded full colours.
Dennis remembered his matric dance which was held in the boarders’ dining room, the boys
wearing their school blazers and the boys had decorated the room themselves. He had an
arrangement with a girl he swam with and they used to accompany each other to various school
functions. There was a band and punch which he recalls (or probably hoped) was laced. It was
good fun.
Dennis didn’t really expect too much out of school, it was something that one just had to do. The
best thing is that you were all in it together, there were small classes and he was unaware of
any bullying but teasing, yes. The most important thing that he was aware of was that if you
didn’t do it yourself then it didn’t get done. There was no special motivation and one stuck to the
syllabus and text book without any huge incentives, but “we all seemed to do OK in later life”
On leaving St David’s, Dennis went to Rhodes where he studied for a B Com CTA. Afterwards
he completed 9 months in the army and then went on to complete his CA(SA) and was articled
with Whiteley Brothers which is now part of Deloittes. He ended up with Barclays in 1968 then
Nedbank from 1970, initially in their investment bank, Nefic and later in Nedbank Group as chief
accountant and from 1997 he became the financial controller. At retirement he was then
involved with the restructuring of the group’s pension funds and is still a trustee. He, Peter
Loffell and David Hartman (MOBS) all worked for Nedbank and retired on the same day.
Dennis’s grandson is a pupil at Hyde Park High, his granddaughters are at De La Salle and
Parkview Senior. He is in close contact with a number of people he met whilst at Rhodes. He
met his wife, Jenny there. They were in adjacent residences, Botha and Olive Schreiner and his
mother and Jenny’s aunt were good friends. After a six year courtship and 46 years’ of marriage
by 2012.They are still going strong.
Dennis has been actively involved with the Parktown & Westcliff Heritage Trust since 1984. He
gave up History in standard 5 as he found it boring, but eventually woke up to the fact that
having lost 3 parents in 2 years he had missed all the history he could have gleaned from them.
He started joining some tours of the area, which awakened an interest in the history of his part
of Johannesburg. He became a guide and researcher and has published a couple of books on
the subject and is involved with a weekly radio programme, together with Flo Bird on Radio
Today.
JLE 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with George Daras 1980

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Interview with George Daras – 1980
George was initially a pupil at Yeoville Boys Primary and came to St David’s in standard 1. His
brother Chris was 4 years ahead of him and a boarder whereas George was a day boarder. At
the time there were a lot of pupils who came from Zaire, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and from
outlying areas of South Africa and, as a result the school was very strong in sport, sadly when
the boarding closed this was no longer true.
Mrs Watson was his first teacher in the primary school and in the high school he remembers
Mrs Elliott the English teacher who was involved in the running of the school and the matrics. In
standard 6 and 7 he had Mr Maritz who taught History, everyone was terrified of him and didn’t
dare talk in his class. Other teachers were too soft and the boys took advantage were very
naughty and used to chase teachers into a corner with their desks. Mrs Richardson was very
attractive and everyone wanted to be in her class. The teachers were generally very good and
the boys learnt a lot, in fact Damelin poached many of the teachers from St David’s. Damelin
had a good reputation and was renowned for getting good marks. Mr Lipschitz who was a
superb Maths teacher eventually went to Damelin, he was so good that even boys who didn’t
like the subject grew to love it and many ended up as engineers. Mr Lipshitz introduced
basketball to the school as he was a former Springbok. There were few Brothers still at the
school, Br Bernard who was still teaching, Br Aidan the bursar and Br Timothy the headmaster.
George recalls that only one boy at the time wanted to become a Brother.
St David’s was the first school to admit black children in 1975, this was previously unheard of.
George enjoyed sport at the school, it was compulsory in the high school but not so rigorously
enforced in the prep. In the winter the sport was rugby and in the summer athletics, swimming
and cricket, there was no hockey or soccer in those days. Tennis was an additional sport as
was water polo. In standard 4 the boys started to play rugby and played for the U13’s as the C
team which also helped them integrate with the high school boys. The coach, Mr Stringer was
an Englishman and very strict and, in their first game against KES, St David’s beat them 42-0.
They were a very strong team but when they went into high school things changed as they
didn’t have the coaching required although Br Timothy felt that sport was very important and
good for the school’s reputation.
George was captain of the 1st rugby team, also the 2nd team and led the first team ever to go on
tour to Durban to compete against St Henrys’ and St Charles and was awarded an honours
blazer for rugby, merit and study. One of the boy’s fathers worked for BP and organised an
outside rugby coach, a former Springbok and the boys benefitted from the different mind-set. He
led the first team in 6 or 7 years to win more than 4 games in one year. He recalls that the
traditional rivalry with Obs was very strong.
St David’s battled against the bigger schools especially in rugby and George, as head boy in his
matric year took up the matter with Br Timothy when he returned from Australia. The boys felt
demoralised as they were always losing to the bigger schools. Mrs Elliott got involved and
wanted to establish a kind of students representative council to improve communication
between the boys and staff. During the first 6 months of 1980, whilst Br Timothy was away,
George found it difficult to control the matrics as he didn’t have Br Timothy’s back-up. Br
Timothy used to walk around with a cane but allowed the matric boys for the first time to remove
their ties in the summer.
Traditionally, if you were in trouble you were invited to the prefects tea where they would decide
on the appropriate discipline for the crime. When George first arrived at St David’s the younger
boys were terrified of the prefects and punches were dished out freely by them.
George’s matric dance was the first year that the standards 9’s prepared the decorating of the
hall and were invited to attend. The theme was of a gangster/mafia type. Movies were run on a
Friday night to raise funds for the dance and were very popular. Parents came to collect the
boys after the movies and, whilst they were waiting to be collected they were often quite rowdy
and disturbed the Brothers sleep.
Academically George did well and throughout his school career came first or second in his
class.
George achieved the matric results he was aiming for and was admitted to Wits University
where he studied engineering and graduated with a masters degree in industrial engineering.
He enjoyed working with his father making radios and stayed in the same environment and now
owns his own factory undertaking contract work in aircraft design.
George is the father of 3 daughters who are pupils at the Saheti school. He has not attended
any MOBS events but was a member of the audience of the prep school play covering the
history of St David’s in 2011. His brother Chris’s two sons are pupils at St David’s.
Geoorge remembers that there were a number of big families with children at St David’s, the
Lebos, Kourie and Saad families and contemporaries such as Costa Pantelias now living in
Greece, Mark Nicholas, Robert Hartman of Hartman and Keppler; Garth Japhet who went into
medicine and now heads an NGO in Gauteng; Brian Muller a doctor in Jhb; Enrico Maraschin a
gynaecologist at Morningside Clinic; Peter Wharton-Hood, a director of Standard Bank and a
number of other SA companies and Jeffrey Slavin.
George would definitely buy a copy of the book when it is published and would be willing to
make a pledge towards the cost. He also felt it would be fantastic to have the yearbooks
available on the school’s website.

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Gavin Muller 1987

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Interview with Gavin Muller – 1987
Gavin, Billy Forsmann, Jan van den Handel and Jeremy Carr were together in the first grade 0
class. Gavin remembers that on his first day he was very traumatised and cried, wanting to
escape but by the second day he had accepted school as the way it had to be. His classroom
was where the original swimming pool was and where the current after care is now located.
Miss Busschau was his teacher and a relative of his mother who was also a Busschau.
Gavin enjoyed the sport in junior school playing soccer, he was a member of the swimming
team and couldn’t wait to start playing rugby in standard 5.
Academically he was very much middle of the road and the classes were defined by marks but
fortunately for him he made it into the bottom tier of the clever class. He remembered the
pressure and fear every exam time and not wanting to fail and be relegated to the B class. On
the cultural front, Gavin was a member of the cast in the production of Hamlet.
There were only about 300 boys in the school at the time and Mr Manolius was head of the
junior school and Brothers Bernhard and Timothy (who left the brotherhood and married a nun)
were still at the school. A teacher who had a great impact on him was Tim Kotze who taught
English and Afrikaans, he had a particularly high standard with regard to spelling and if you got
less than 15 out of 20 you were caned. Gavin spells well to this day! In standard 6 Mrs
Bulterman was the French teacher, very attractive, quite gorgeous in fact and, before she came
to the school none of the boys chose French. Needless to say that situation changed and whilst
she was there all the boys signed up for French! Cedric Finlayson was a brutal, most violent
man who taught History and Physical Education and was the rugby coach. Gavin was physically
beaten up by him on more than one occasion but he still didn’t mind him that much. Gavin
enjoyed Trudy Elliott, English teacher and recalled that Tom Macfaden taught the wrong History
syllabus in matric and when this was discovered, all the boys had to cram for the last 3 to 4
weeks. There was no control over the teachers, they did what they wanted to and there was no
leadership.
The teaching of Religious Education was split into Catholics and non-Catholics about 50/50.
There was a class every day, mass was held once a week and confessions regularly. The boys
used to make up confessions to check that Father Plestus was still awake. A big scandal at the
time was the non-catholic boys RE retreat to Hartbeespoort was a disaster when the boys
absconded and many were caught with alcohol.
Gavin played 1st team rugby, was captain of the swimming team and played water polo and is
still friends with his team members to this day. The best thing Gavin took from high school was
the camaraderie amongst the boys. They often used to play both A and B team rugby matches
back to back. The bonds were strong between the friends of that era due to the lack of adult
leadership. Gavin became a prefect and Billy Forsmann, head boy.
For the matric dance, which was great fun, the standard 9’s did all the art work and decorations
and were the waiters who used to make money by smuggling alcohol into the venue. On their
last day he recalls that the boys had a big party that night.
It was a disastrous and unstable time for the high school with leadership issues following the
appointment of Mr Murphy as headmaster of the high school followed shortly by Mr Freilick then
Mr Boswell.
Gavin matriculated with a university entrance and studied building science at Wits University.
He then did a post graduate course at the University of Pretoria followed by the UCT Graduate
School of Business but ended up working in the banking environment for 12 years. He then
went into property and has run his own business for the past 3 years.
He is the father of 3 daughters who attended Brescia House.
He hasn’t really kept in touch with the school at all although his father was a member of the
board of governors, and a member of MOBS as were his brothers Brian(80) and Graham (82)
who subsequently emigrated.
Gavin would buy a copy of the book and would be willing to pledge a contribution beforehand.
JLE May 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Genny Carvalho 1991 - 2007 Staff

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Interview with Genny Carvalho – 1991 – 2007
Genny initially worked for Malcolm Smit who was the bursar at that time. Malcolm’s office was
where Rick Wilson’s office is now, Mike Greef’s office was the reception area. The staff working
in the bursar’s office was divorced from the rest of the school dealing only with the accounts.
The staff at the time were Malcolm Smit, Audrey Williams and Genny, they started work at
8.30am and were usually finished by 1.30/2.00pm, as the school was very much smaller then
with fewer accounts.
Genny remembers that, in the early 2000’s the school lost a number of pupils and a teacher to
Crawford College when it opened and also because of the increased traffic on the Nicol
highway.
In those day the school used to take cash payments for fees and the beginning of term was
usually “pay day” and one term an armed robbery took place and R25 000 in cash was taken.
Although no member of staff was badly hurt, they were most definitely shaken.
Once the school started to build up it did so rather quickly especially when Paul Edey was
appointed headmaster in 1995. Paul Edey, together with Kevin Brewer started an extensive
building programme and Paul made the staff feel valued for the first time. Genny also liked Greg
Royce and felt he was an excellent prep school headmaster.
Genny enjoyed working for Malcom Smit, all the books were done in long hand and she used a
manual Underwood typewriter. Malcolm did all the books and wrote out all the cheques for the
staff wages, put them into envelopes and drew a special, appropriate drawing on each one. He
used to draw mushrooms on Genny’s envelope as he said she was completely in the dark about
accounts and what she knew about figures was dangerous. On matron’s envelope he drew a
nurse in uniform.
Willem van der Merwe was very close to Malcolm and viewed him as a father. When Malcolm
wanted tea, in a loud voice he would say “It’s like a desert in here”. He was firm and could be
quite cutting but never rude. Formerly an auditor, he was retired when he came to St David’s.
The offices changed again later when Mike Forder was appointed. Mike’s office was originally
where Dave Smith’s office is now and the main office is where Malcolm Williams now resides
and Genny sat where Pam Groenewald does now. They eventually moved upstairs which was a
much better environment for them all. Di Clark was very kind to Genny and helped her with her
accountancy.
Genny had very little to do with the children and as her job increased in volume, very little to do
with parents unless they had a problem. However she does remember the mother of Steve
Bailey who passed away in his sleep in 2010 and a “Mrs Honeysuckle”, not her real name who
had had three husbands and children from each, her son was the most beautiful boy and she
was quite a stunner too. Her son matriculated in the mid 90’s and she organised a lovely lunch
and mother and son fashion show in what is now the library.
Because of Genny’s involvement with St David’s, her husband Michael got interested in schools
and, together with Mark Henning decided that there was a gap and began publishing
“Independent Education” for the private schools.

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with David Phillips 1960

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Interview with David Phillips – 1960
David lived in Hyde Park and started at St David’s in grade 1 in 1948. Hyde Park was very
agricultural in those days and only underwent development from about 1954. He was a day boy
and used to cycle to school on the dirt roads.
David skipped grade 2 but then failed standard 9. He was absolutely devastated to fail but in
retrospect there was good reason for that as there were family problems at the time which he
could not handle.
He recalls Mrs Kempster in standard 4, she was an institution in herself and one didn’t mess
around with her. From then on school became a bit more serious and he remembers the strap
was used in punishment. The brother he remembers as being his favourite was Br.
Bonaventure. He saw Br Anthony at a function at the school about 30 years after he, David had
left and was so impressed that Br Anthony remembered him by name.
If there was any advantage to being a day boy he recalled that the boarders always seemed to
be hungry and were always around when the sandwiches were taken out. He enjoyed being
able to go and talk to the brothers about anything and everything. Coming from a home with an
older father who was 67 when he was born the age gap came into play and he related more to
the brothers especially with matters such as career guidance.
He hated homework with a passion. There was only one negative experience that he could
recall and that was when he was about 13, 14 drinking from one of the water fountains when a
Bulgarian pupil (Thomas Munnick) pushed his head down and he broke his two front teeth with
which he has had problems to this day.
He was an athlete and very much into running and came second in the mile. He has been a
runner ever since until about 2 years ago when his knees started to give him problems. He also
played rugby for the 3rd XV.
He was very happy at school and only cried on the first and last day. The school was a haven to
him, he had no worries and thought that the brothers were really good guys and that had all
come to an end. He then went to Wits to study a BA but ended up studying for an LLB and
became a lawyer specialising in litigation and property. He began his articles in 1964 and retired
in March 2011. When he has the time his hobbies are fishing and hunting and looks forward to
spending quality time with his grandchildren.
He was involved with a class reunion in October 2009. Harry Rosmarin is the one who keeps
them all in touch. He sees Tony McLaughlin who is sadly not interested in the old boys. He is a
member of MOBS and would be willing to participate in any pledges or donations towards the
publication of the history of St David’s.
JE January 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Joe Stravino 1967

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Interview with Joe Stravino 1963-67
Joe (Guiseppe) originally came to St David’s from St George’s where he was a boarder in what
was then Rhodesia. When his parents moved to Johannesburg, Joe joined St David’s. He
remembers being very nervous on his first day at the school but always felt comfortable there.
St George’s was a Jesuit College and very strict, St David’s was more relaxed and he made
friends more or less immediately. He did get into trouble sometimes and recalls that his whole
class was once sent to the headmaster’s office, however he felt that the discipline was well
balanced and fair.
Jane Owen was his first teacher who taught a number of subjects and was a good
sportswoman.
Joe was the school cricket captain, played 1st team rugby and was an athlete. He played in the
provincial side - Transvaal Nuffield and was only the second boy from Inanda to do so. He
enjoyed all the sports tours with the school and went on the Marist Cricket Week tours and
rugby tours. He also remembered that he and other pupils planted the cricket pitch under the
supervision of Mrs Simaan.
He remembers Br Bosco, Br Anthony, Br Andrew and the cricket manager and coach Br
Michael.
Sport rather got in the way of academics but Joe managed to be accepted at Wits to study for a
Civil Engineering degree which took him 4 years even though he didn’t get a great matric pass.
Joe is still in the earth moving business, BLC Plant Company specialising in earth moving and
construction equipment which he buys, repairs and sells. He currently has a staff of 300. .He
helped to move the ground for Strevino Park at St David’s and has done some work for the
Alexandra community and the Catholic Lebanese Church free of charge.
Both his two sons came to St David’s during the time of Murphy, Freilick and Davies. The boys
battled and eventually one son went to St John’s and the other to St Andrews. When Paul Edey
was appointed headmaster, things changed and his grandchildren, 3 boys will be attending St
David’s and one Guiseppe, age 6 is currently a pupil.
Joe regularly comes to the school and walks his dogs and has a good feeling coming back. It
was a great thing coming to St David’s and he will treasure this forever.
Some of his contemporaries he remembers are Derek Schombie, Kev Hussey, Len O’Haughey,
Mike Smith. He also remembers Peter Owen – 50’s a Nuffield Cricketer and Luke or Mike
Chandler.
JE September 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with George Manolios 1975 - 1982 Staff

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Interview with George Manolios – 1975 – 82 Staff
George Manolios was appointed principal of the St David’s College Junior School in April
1975 after having served as head of department of English at Bryanston High School
It was a huge challenge for him having to deal with primary school boys, his main experience
until then being with only high school boys and girls. The fact that he was a product of
ecclesiastical education himself however did not make the change too difficult.
As with any new member of staff in an established environment, he was regarded with some
scepticism and wary interest, mostly by the teachers.
In his first year at the college and in subsequent years he took the senior boys on History
tours to Natal and showed them places of interest involving the British, the Boers and the
Zulu in conflict with one another. Another highlight was when his under 13 rugby team
played in a curtain raiser for a provincial match involving the Natal provincial rugby team.
Other memories included sleeping under the stars on prefect camps.
The boys themselves, as with pupils in most schools will always be remembered and many
of those featured in the school magazines are today top businessmen, doctors and
physicians. Unfortunately there was also the pupil who featured later, as an adult, in a highly
publicised assault case.
George will always remember teachers and boys who were contemporaries during his years
at the College and he would like to believe that he contributed in some small way to making
St David’s College a college of choice.
JLE July 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Walter Cronje 1985.Board of Governors 2005 - 2010

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Interview with Walter Cronje - 1985
Walter started at St David’s in 1977 in standard 2 when his family returned to South Africa from
the UK. Walter’s father worked for BP which involved a lot of travelling which made him more
forward thinking and open to new ideas.
Mr Manolios was then head of the primary school and Br Timothy head of the high school until
Mr Murphy followed by Mr Frielick.
He recalls his first day in standard 2 N with Mrs Napier. He wasn’t used to wearing a cap as he
hadn’t worn one in the UK and was curtly told to take off his cap when a teacher greeted him.
Mrs Napier was scary and had a selection of canes in her office which she used liberally. He
remembered one occasion when Matthew Slavin was standing in line waiting for his book to be
marked and Mrs Napier put a staple straight through his thumb, there was also another incident
involving Ross Alcock. Walter had to write everything in italics with pen and ink and believes
that is why he can actually write well today.
Walter recalled a school trip in 1978 or 9 to the middle of Soweto. The boys visited a school to
hand over donations. Mrs Kenesovitch and HeatherJoseph were involved. He remembers
“Julius Caesar” was the standard 5 school play.
In primary school Walter learnt to play soccer, although he had played club rugby in England
and scored the quickest goal ever. He also played cricket and made the A team. When boys
reached standard 4 and 5 soccer stopped, rugby was introduced and the boys played rugby
U13, C and D teams for the high school. It was a great idea as the boys were introduced to
rugby and became integrated with the high school boys.
In the high school Walter played rugby, which was compulsory and cricket and participated in
athletics inter-school meetings. He was named the cricket 1st team captain in standard 9 and
again in matric. He loved school and became head boy in his matric year. One bad experience
he recalls is being asked to play in the open age group when he was currently playing in the
U14 team and his father refused. He played in the Beckwith week for 3 years and other
tournaments but it was rare in those days for St David’s boys to be selected for provincial
teams. Walter was awarded colours for rugby in standard 9 and used to go to the Wanderers
U20 rugby practise after cricket practise at school. In Craven Week he and Brett Airey were
selected to play together with Sandringham’s forward pack and Sandown’s backs against St
Stithians 1st team and they beat them 55-0. Most of the English speaking schools in
Johannesburg had excellent teams at matric level but very few boys went forward into the sport
as a career unlike James Dalton and Brian Habana.
Mr Murphy was well liked a big strong man, a disciplinarian and very strict. Walter remembered
that it was decided to put on a school musical “Oliver” and Debby Hurley, the primary school
Music teacher was conducting auditions. All the school was herded into the hall and it was
chaos, a free for all, Debby Hurley eventually had enough and walked out and everyone calmed
down. Mr Murphy walked in and blasted them all saying they had no manners, no respect and
shouldn’t treat a female member of staff in such a fashion. He then picked out some boys to go
on stage and audition and they all sang beautifully. Another incident occurred when Nick Pruim
and some of the boys were hoping to go to Argentina and Mr Murphy made them do 1000
squats, in spite of that they never got to Argentina! The boys saw him on tv on a programme
called “Late Nite Owls” showing how people earned a living after hours. Mr Murphy was a
professional wrestler performing under the guise of Sean Reagan and was unmasked. The next
day Br Anthony turned up and Mr Murphy was never seen again at the school.
Walter came second in his class in standard 2 and from then on came first, achieving seven
distinctions in his matric. He remembers “Julius Caesar was the standard 5” school play.
Some of his school mates were Rommel Gobel, Vusi Wandile, Shongwe Moponya – Solly, his
father always wanted his sons to go to a Marist school and Solly’s older brother Isak was also a
pupil.
Teachers - he will never forget Willy Castle! One of the greatest teachers was Tom MacFaden
an ex-Brother who taught History and French, he could get the best out of everybody, was
worldly wise, well travelled, well educated and well read. He taught History from matric essays
not textbooks, his goal was for everyone to pass matric and go on to university. He is now living
in Greece. Trudy Elliot, English teacher who made the boys write a matric essay every weekend
or she took their honours blazer away. Mr Collier, an Obs old boy who taught Maths, Heather
Joseph, Art in primary school. All the teachers were flamboyant and larger than life. Walter had
a number of Biology teachers and remembers that the boys had a record in standard 7 for
getting rid of the highest number of Afrikaans teachers.
Brother Timothy ran the school as an autocracy not a democracy and wasn’t answering to the
voice of the people and if the class didn’t like a particular teacher they just had to put up with it.
Walter believes that there is too much leniency these days rewarding mediocrity and feels
strongly that most especially in a boys school there needs to be a rigid line of discipline. He
recalled Br Bernard caning a boy for accidentally knocking a rubber off his desk, the boys knew
the rules and if they were contravened there were consequences. Walter cannot recall anyone
at school with him having ADD of being hyperactive. The boys started school at 7.15am and
after school there was sport either competitive or practise sessions up until 6.00pm and then
they had to go home and do their homework.
One of the negative things Walter recalls was being told at each assembly of former pupils who
had been killed whilst on border duty. A former pupil Andrew Petit who scored a hole in one
whilst at school winning a car sponsored by Volkswagen was one of those who went to the
border and was killed.
Walter was one of the last young men to do military service after varsity and felt that it had given
him a different perspective and the ability to judge what’s important and what’s not.
In his final matric year, Walter remembered Religious instruction classes were a farce and as a
consequence a decision was made to send all the non-Catholics to a retreat at Hartbeespoort.
Two Computer Science teachers were assigned to supervise the boys. The retreat ended up in
a drunken mess, boys went off in their parent’s boats on the dam and walked out of the camp.
The boys’ honours blazers were taken away and, because of this you won’t find many boys of
that time coming back to St David’s. Sadly of the 30 – 40 matrics who were expected to get the
highest number of distinctions ever, only achieved 13, the timing of the retreat was appalling.
Walter feels that if there should have been a more visible handing over interim phase with the
brothers on hand to instil the Marist ethos and way to the lay teachers and Heads which would
have helped enormously. Unfortunately the brothers seemed to disappear and just hand over to
the lay teachers. In all likelihood the school could not have afforded to entice a top principal at
the time, the school certainly didn’t have the funds to replace the school bus.
Walter is currently with the Jardine Lloyd Group. Walter was chairman of MOBS for 2 years
from 2000 and was on the board of governors from 2005 – 2010 as he felt the need to sustain
the long term stability of the school. If you want continuity and change it is often difficult to get
the right people to serve and a strong board is needed. The Foundation was a concept to raise
enough capital to enable previously disadvantaged and needy boys to be able to attend St
David’s.
JLE May 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Larry Griffiths 1972

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000833
  • Stuk
  • 2012

Interview with Larry Griffiths – 1972
Larry joined St David’s when he was 8 years old going into standard 2. His father was
transferred to Johannesburg from Port Elizabeth where he was formerly a pupil at St Patrick’s.
He and his younger brother Michael (1973) were day boys.
Br Anthony was the headmaster and Larry thought he was brilliant. He recalled an amusing
story involving him and Br Bosco (Mario). Br Bosco decided that Br Anthony should regain his
red hair and developed a dye which would work on his grey hair. Unfortunately it worked well,
but rather too well and Br Anthony ended up sporting fire engine red hair! This occurred shortly
before the annual prize giving and the dye didn’t wash out therefore Br Anthony had to take the
podium with his brilliant red hair much to Brother Anthony’s embarrassment and everybody
else’s amusement. In September 1979 Larry visited Br Aquinas, a family friend in the Cape and
went to see Br Anthony somewhere in the Cape Flats.
Larry did not particularly like Br Timothy, ‘Tin Man” but the boys were amused by his habit of
combing his hair over his bald patch and when the wind blew it stood straight up then flopped
onto his opposite shoulder. He enjoyed Br Bosco, he was passionate about his subject,
Science. He recalled Br Andrew giving the ’1972 matrics punishment and detention unless they
could recite the first chapter of Caesar’s Gallic Wars. He was a strong disciplinarian but always
fair. Br Aidan the bursar was popular, he was always in control and treated the boys like adults
and they responded accordingly..Larry felt that, in spite of his other problems, Br Bernard was a
good Latin teacher and managed to bring it alive with stories about its background. Father
Bailey trained him as an altar boy. Bob Blythe the Maths teacher could never get Colin
Rezekswick’s name right and called him Da Silva. Mr Zachkarowicz was fluent in English,
Polish, German, Italian and Greek, he had a rough time in Germany but managed to escape
and ended up in South Africa. He was very anti the South African government as he could see
similarities with what he had experienced in Germany. Larry felt that he was an excellent History
teacher. Mrs Janusz taught Latin, and was formidable, she was a Scot and her husband was
Polish.
Larry did well academically until Thomas Rumpelt and Alfred Ghodes came along at the start of
standard 6.They were both academically very strong and also performed well on the sports field.
However Larrry was still awarded the Costa John Memorial Trophy for coming top of the class in
standard 5. He was the first boy to be acknowledged in this way.
Larry was not a great sportsman but played 4th team rugby and, although tennis was not really
encouraged at St David’s both he and his brother played and the team achieved a place in the
premier schools league. In spite of their endeavours none of the 1972 members of the 1st tennis
team were awarded a scroll which they longed for, it was only in 1973 that tennis was
considered moderately acceptable and the school’s tennis champion, Larry’s younger brother
Michael was awarded a tennis scroll. This caused a bit of a problem in that Michael was not the
tennis captain – Michael had defeated Desmond Schatz, the tennis captain, in the final of the
school championships. The school decided to award Desmond Schatz a tennis scroll as well.
No other members of the first team were awarded scrolls.
In 1964, Larry’s first year at St David’s, it snowed and Paul Steinhardt threw a snowball with a
stone in its middle at someone; it missed and smashed the window of one of the teacher’s cars.
In December of the previous year there had been a huge hail storm which caused a lot of
damage, many windows in the school were broken including some stained glass and it took a
few years for them all to be replaced.
Larry’s first experience of being politically aware occurred in the late 1960’s when Marist old
boys, who were members of the visiting New Zealand All Blacks Rugby team came to address
the school at assembly. He remembers wondering why the Maoris could be included in the New
Zealand team and their society and the blacks in South Africa were not.
Larry remembered the victorious rugby team of ’72 and George Nichas missing a goal against
KES even though he was standing right in front of the posts. It was the only match that St
David’s lost that year.
The matric dance was held in the boarders dining room and the after party was held at Carl Ebs
parent’s home in Illovo. It was all very low key and everyone was well behaved.
Of his peers Larry noted that Terry Van Heerden – deputy head boy; Eric Melman; Steve
Goodeye, and his brother Michael (1973) class – all currently living in Australia. Carl Eb lives in
New Zealand as does David von Elling (1971) class. Patrick Esnouf (1973 class) “Mr Mining” in
South America formerly a director of Anglo and now with the Andean Board living in Chile. Tim
Cockerell’s father was a pilot who died of a heart attack and his mother brought the family to
South Africa from the UK, While having the greatest admiration for Betty Cockerell’s pluck in
moving to South Africa and bringing up three sons, all of whom attended St David’s, Larry
believes that she may have been helped by the brothers to enable her to educate her sons.
When he matriculated, Larry went to Wits University and studied Civil Engineering. Afterwards
he did two years national service becoming an officer in the South African engineering corps,
was seconded to the CSIR where he was involved with mine warfare and bridge demolition. He
was in active contact with the Rhodesian Engineers and the Selous Scouts. He then had to fulfil
conditions of his bursary and worked for Grinaker Construction for two years living in Rhodesia
before it became Zimbabwe, before returning to South Africa. He was having so much fun in
Zimbabwe that he stayed in Africa a lot longer than he had originally intended. Larry finally left
for New Zealand in February1994and was transferred to Australia in early 1995. Initially he
settled in Melbourne before moving to Queensland in early 2006. He currently lives in Brisbane
where he works as a traffic engineer in local government.
Larry thinks it is very sad the way things have evolved in South Africa. He feels very strongly
about affirmative action and its related policies, which he believes have had a very negative
effect on the development of the country and on job creation.
JLE November 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Mike Smith 1966

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000856
  • Stuk
  • 2012

Interview with Mike Smith – 1966
Mike was a day boy at St David’s and lived on a flower farm near Alexandra township. He
remembered his first day in grade 1 in the old grades block, Miss Brick was his teacher and she
used to rap the boys knuckles with her ruler. He and his brother Alf used to arrive at the school
early as their father used to drop them off on his way to market. Mike used to go and sit on the
steps and could see the traffic cops who used to come inside the school grounds to do their
speed trapping of cars on Rivonia Rd. He recalls that one morning Br Edwin the then principal
called him and sent him to tell the police that they could get some coffee from the school
kitchen. Mike was terrified of both the principal and the traffic cops so it was quite nerve
wracking for him.
Br Pius who had taught his father at Koch Street was at the school, although no longer teaching,
his passion was the gardens and he used to give the boys sweets from his lucky packet.
He remembered teachers such as Mrs Martin, Mrs Brophy, Mrs Green and Mrs Humphrey in
whose class the last minutes were dedicated to reading time. The boys really enjoyed this and
you could hear a pin drop during this time.
Mike enjoyed playing cricket from the early days when he used to play with his brother.
Throughout his school career there were always excellent cricketing coaches during the
summer months including the likes of Ken Palmer ( played for England); Jack Bannister; Don
Wilson and Poole. Mike had to choose between swimming or cricket and thoroughly enjoyed the
coaching and practise sessions. The coaches added value to their cricketing performances
which was quite good at the time. The cricket nets were next to where the new chapel now
stands.
The highlight of Mike’s school career occurred during the Michaelmass holidays, the school
then had 4 terms, which was the Marist cricket week and all the Marist schools in the country
competed against each other – St Patrick’s –Walmer; St Joseph’s – Cape Town; St Charle’s –
Pietermaritzburg; St Henry’s – Durban and St David’s – Johannesburg. The week was rotated
between the schools and Mike participated in 3 whilst in standard 8, 9 and 10. When the
matches were completed a Marist cricket 11 was selected and all the players were given a
special blazer, this was regarded as being especially prestigious. This team then played the old
boys team. Mike was selected twice for this team and became the captain in his matric year and
still has the badge given to him. During the week the food was good and the players were taken
to see a movie and a social event together with the local convent school was organised. The
Wilf Isaacs visiting cricket team was also a very special occasion and the Nuffield trials week
when St David’s and Observatory had a combined team against the likes of KES and Parktown
which gave the Marist schools a lot of credos. In those days the boys didn’t wear protective
head gear and he recalls an Obs boy, Brian Norberry being hit by a ball between the eyes. He
fortunately recovered from what was a potentially very dangerous injury.
The school’s swimming team at the time was very good and has been ever since. Athletics was
strong and regarded passionately by the boys and included such names as Terence Lavery,
Chris Terreblanche who were very talented athletes. The inter-catholic high he recalls was held
at a stadium. Rugby featured strongly and the tours were very popular. The rivalry between
Observatory and St David’s was strong and became quite hectic at times.
Academically Mike always did well being in the upper quotient of his year. He was amongst the
first boys to be streamed and studied Maths, Physics and Chemistry, Biology, English and
Afrikaans.
The school put on a couple of plays and Mike was involved backstage but did not act.
The brothers were amazing and real characters, Br Edwin, Br Anthony, Br Bosco (Mario) and Br
Andrew who was Spanish. The brothers dining room was out of bounds but, through the
occasional glimpse the boys could see that the food was good and that the brothers ate and
drank well.
Mike was caned on a daily basis, it was like an honour and not regarded as a problem. He
recalls an incident when a rather ripe orange that was thrown and just missed Br Andrew (Drac)
and all the boys were caned.
The matric dance in those days was rather different and the matric boys themselves decorated
the dining room, no huge sum of money was spent on the event and there was no before party.
The boarders were a fantastic bunch and made the school to a large extent, coming from all
over -Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique the Lowveld etc. He still remains in touch with Mike
Beaumont, Bart Dorrestein, Peter Gerrard, Jannie Steyn and Eric Ambrosioni. There were many
polio victims in the school at that time and he remembers Mike Nettman who was unable to play
sport and now lives in New Zealand and was one of the “Four Jacks and a Jill” and has had a
successful career as a musician. Mike organised the 40th reunion which was held at the top of
the Michael Angelo Towers in Bart Dorrestein’s suite “The Cupola” in 2006 and with a braai on
Sunday at St David’s high school paviliion
During his matric year there was much talk about military service and Mike was called up. He
remembers lining up for the medical exam in his school uniform in the drill hall. After completing
his military service Mike went on to Wits University to study engineering and until recently ran
his own construction company. His son Robert (2004) followed in the family tradition and was a
pupil at St David’s and Mike’s father Cyprien, who is now 92 was a pupil at Koch Street and
Observatory.
JE March 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Thomas Rumpelt 1972

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000949
  • Stuk
  • 2012

Interview with Thomas Rumpelt – 1972
Thomas came to St David’s from the German School, Johannesburg when it was still in Edith
Cavell Street, in the German block donated by Paul Kruger, in the original building built in 1893.
Tom wrote an entrance exam at Observatory but eventually went to Inanda for standard 6. The
family lived in Orchards at the time, his grandfather had been a Jesuit priest and his parents
thought it a good idea for both Tom and Martin, his younger brother to attend a Catholic school.
The first year at St David’s was difficult as he had to undertake all his classes in English and
had only started school at the age of 7. He was, therefore always with the older boys when it
came to sport and only learnt how to play rugby on his arrival in standard 6 He was a member of
the swimming team and athletics was compulsory. He had competed as a fencer at the German
School and continued by going to Wanderers every Saturday and duelling with Springboks. He
continued to play until the 90’s and was an inter-varsity fencer.
Academically he did well, was fortunate to have a good memory, a knack for Maths and he was
ambitious. His rival Alf Gohdes was more fastidious in standards 8,9 and 10 and Thomas had a
problem with discipline at the time.
He liked Br Andrew who was the Maths teacher and also coached team rugby. Tom recalls how
Br Mario opened his eyes regarding how critical things really were in South Africa. Br Mario took
the boys to Soweto and gave them a different exposure and perspective on life. Later he found
he couldn’t reconcile his life in South Africa especially when his brother, Martin suggested he
should perhaps get a gun for security reasons.
His worst time at school was when he was suspended for 3 days. Br Mario used to keep a close
eye on things, hence Tom was suspended for calling out “waiter” to Mrs Sacharowitz, Br
Anthony was not impressed. The boys were not allowed to smoke but did during the world C
chess championships when they would meet in the change rooms, Tom had a box of Mills and
they would smoke and play chess. Tom had long hair which he used to grease back with a lot of
Brylcream to avoid the prefects checking.
The boys had a good connection with Rosebank Convent through Steve Goodey who had a
sister there. It was part of their social life,they studied with the girls and even played hockey
against them.
Boys he remembers well are Steven Goodey, Chares and Nigel Mayer, Chris Stanley, Nolan
Springer and Mike Harris.
Tom recalled a classmate Nigel Mayer who wanted to study dentistry and repeated matric to get
better marks, he now practices dentistry in London.
One of his good memories is of a trip in the winter of 1972 with Andre Malan, the Afrikaans
teacher together with Karl Eb and Steven Goodey to Mozambique. Their car was cleaned out
and everything including passports were stolen. The passports were fortunately eventually
found at the Red Cross. He recalls that the car was a green rover and that only one tape was
left of Janice Joplin and whenever he hears that music he remembers the trip. To cap it all, the
ferry didn’t come to collect them on time to return to Lorenzo Marques, quite an experience.
Another occasion that stands out was when the “All Blacks” were in South Africa, some of the
team members including Maoris were Marist old boys, and visited the school and attended
assembly. It made him think that they were racially integrated and why couldn’t it be the same in
South Africa.
The theme of the matric dance was african dawn and Tom helped with the decorations, he was
good at Art and still paints to this day.
Add Maths was his last subject on 24 November and on his last day at St David’s, Tom had a
driving license so was allowed to take a car and packed a number of the guys in it and took
them to the Rosebank Hotel. Sadly he had to stay sober as he was the driver. They didn’t have
a matric holiday in those days just study leave.
When he left St David’s Tom was exempt from military service for medical reasons and studied
architecture but changed to civil engineering. Whilst at university he was involved in visiting
schools in Soweto encouraging the children to study engineering and not necessarily medicine.
He had a bursary from Grinakaer and worked for them but later returned to Wits to do his
masters, he then worked for SRK for 5 years. He went on to Berkley where he did his Phd in
civil engineering. He had in the meantime, married Mary, the Harrywyn’s eldest daughter and
after 4 ½ years in America, they decided not to stay. Mary had family in Belgium but they
eventually ended up in Germany where Tom was offered a job with an apartment nearby in
Stuttgart. They have two daughters and a son. He is currently involved in a lot of work in Israel
but also manages time in Berlin which he believes is the best city in Europe.
Tom feels that a good thing about the educational system in South Africa is the dual function of
many teachers with the coaching of sport. The teachers have more contact with the boys which
is very important as they see another side to a boy.
Tom went to Germany as an exchange student when he was 11 and believes this would be a
good thing for St David’s to do as a Marist exchange programme. At his children’s school in
Germany they are able to go on exchanges to many other countries including India and Mexico.
The school his children attend has a strong emphasis on Music and has an outstanding
orchestra.
Tom believes that if he hadn’t been at a Marist school he wouldn’t have been so critical of what
he saw when he worked for Grinaker in Hoedspruit, the machinists and boilermakers were
earning a lot of money and he learnt from them and the black guys who had little money and
saw how they lived. Matthew Bobett’s mother was an activist and he left in standard 8 to go to
Swaziland to a co-ed multi-racial school.
Tom’s mother is still living in South Africa and is still in touch with Br Mario.
Tom is on the MOBS mailing list and would be interested in a copy of the history of the school
and also would like to be able to access the yearbooks online. He is involved with foundations in
Germany funding the school’s choir, an English society and the Church.
JLE November 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Bobby Forssman 1980

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000714
  • Stuk
  • 2013

Interview with Bobby Forssman – 1980
Bobby (Luke Alexander) first came to St David’s in grade 1 in 1969 following in his brother Mark’s footsteps
with Andrew arriving 3 years after Bobby. He remembers his father filming the event and that he, Bobby
who was used to running around barefoot and undisciplined, decided to have a wee in the middle of the
dirty, dusty playground on his first day.
Brother Anthony was headmaster of the high school and Mr Manolios of the junior school. Of the early days
he remembers Mrs Schaafsma who taught him in grade 1 and 2, she was a tyrant and all the boys were
terrified of her. If a boy wasn’t paying attention he had to sit under the piano in her classroom during the
lesson.
In the junior school, Bobby went on tour in standard 5 to Fort Mistake in Kwa-Zulu Natal with Mr Manolios
and Heather Joseph. Heather was a young, newly qualified teacher and all the boys were in love with her.
Heather used to apply a very bright lipstick, kiss all the boys leaving lipstick on their cheeks which they
treasured!
At the entrance to the school where the original gates now hang, an ice cream seller used to park his bike
and sell home-made ice lollies. The boys used to pinch the dry ice and then throw it into the fish pond
nearby. Bobby did this once and panicked when he thought he was going to kill the fish. He jumped in, in
full uniform and proceeded to throw out the ice.
Bobby enjoyed the sport the soccer, cricket, sack and potatoes races in the annual athletics. He also
participated in the horse riding which he didn’t really enjoy and they rode at stables in what is now
Pineslopes. School was generally fun although the boys were scared of the teachers as they were often up
to mischief when they had the opportunity. The boys would hang around the tuck shop and wait until break
was over hoping to get discounted or free food. On Champagnat day they would get donuts and a cool
drink.
Bobby and his family lived out at Kyalami at the Kyalami Ranch Hotel and many of the boys came to watch
the Formula 1 events from the hotel. It was a mission to get to school although there was a school bus,
sometimes his father would fetch them in his beach buggy and if they were staying late their mother would
also come to fetch them.
In the high school Bobby had teachers like Trudy Elliott who was the English teacher. They were supposed
to study the Great Gatsby and Hamlet for 3 years from grade 8 which Mrs Elliott didn’t agree with and
suggested that the boys produce a newspaper as an alternative. Bobby and some other boys started a
newsletter which came out once a month for 10 months. Bobby had to do a lot of typing without a computer
although there was at least a typex band in the typewriter.
Bobby had Mr Tony D’Almeida as his Biology teacher who was well built and used static exercise to train
which all the boys had to try out in class! The school had quite a few exchange students and Bobby had to
chaperone a chap from Brazil in standard 8 whose father was head of Castrol. Bobby was with him when
he met up with Reinhard Hartmann who asked “Hi my China, where are you from”, the reply “Not China,
Brazil” as the poor chap could hardly speak any English.
There was a Mr Valney who taught Geography who became quite friendly with some of the boys and
invited some of them to his flat in Illovo one evening. He believed in self hypnosis and demonstrated by
collapsing on the floor after he told the boys to instruct him to do something. The boys were rather taken
aback and tried a few things including sticking a large pin deeply into his arm and then telling him to wake
up. He came to with no memory of what had happened and no physical signs of any sort. The teachers on
the whole were pleasant and engaging.
Bobby enjoyed motor cross racing from standard 7 through to standard 9 with four other St David’s boys
and competed against other schools. Br Bernard attended one of the events and took some photos for the
school magazine. Unfortunately Br Timothy was not aware of the motor cross racing and wasn’t impressed
and basically banned them from participating anymore or said they must find another school. Bobby then
started playing rugby in standard 9, was captain third XV and was a member of the A water polo and B
swimming teams as a summer sport.
Bobby also enjoyed the debating and public speaking which was fairly low key and great fun.
Bobby did well academically and was usually in the top 5 or 10. He was elected a prefect and awarded an
honours blazer, academic tie and scrolls for merit and studies.
In their final year 6 of the boys decided to take a holiday. The Hartmann’s had a flat in Umhlanga and they
asked Bobby’s father if they could borrow one of the cars to go down. Initially the parents said no, but then
Bobby’s father relented and booked them into alternative accommodation and lent them a bus. With
hindsight it was crazy with unlicensed drivers driving all the way to the coast in a bus, but they survived.
After matriculating, Bobby was awarded a bursary by Eskom and studied engineering at Wits University
then UCT. He then went into the air force for two years completing his military service. Whilst in the air
force he met a chap who was into building development and decided to work for himself and started off in
the Cape in the commercial development of shops and warehouses. He would buy the land, design the
structure then rent it out and sell. He often works together with his older brother Mark who is in building and
construction. He was supposed to work for Eskom after his military training and had to reimburse them the
costs of his university education, fortunately they underestimated the costs and he managed to pay them
back.
Bobby has one son Jason who spent 1 year in grade 1 at St David’s before the family moved to Cape Town
and returned 5 years later. Greg Royce was then head of St Peter’s so he became a pupil there going on to
Hilton for high school. Bobby’s two daughters are at DSG in Grahamstown.
Bobby is still in touch with Mark Hindle through his wife Paula and with Reinhard Hartmann and Sven Arp.
He is a member of MOBs and was last at St David’s for the Nite Fever firework show.
JLE November 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Peter Loffell 1960

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000878
  • Stuk
  • 2012

Interview with Peter Loffell (1960)
Peter first attended St David’s in 1948 in grade 1 as a day boy. He was in a section in the junior
school with four classrooms with two grades within one classroom. This was separate from the
main school which had a series of classrooms in a horse shoe shape facing east, with the
dormitories facing north. The infirmary windows overlooked the swimming pool and McGill
Love’s farm. On the western side was the dining room and on the southern side, downstairs
were the headmaster’s office and about 2 classrooms. Standard 4, 5 and 6 were upstairs and
standard 7, 8, 9 and 10 downstairs. At that time the school had 300 pupils.
Peter used to go to the McGill Love’s place of 50 acres with cows etc after school until his father
came to fetch him until he was old enough to ride his bicycle to school. Mr McGill Love was
Peter’s mother’s uncle and founder of Haggy Rand and African Wire Ropes.
He remembers his first day vividly. His teacher was very strict and used the strap liberally and
Peter to this day still does not understand why she took the strap to him. Happily she didn’t stay
very long and Mrs Vincent took her place. In the first year he skipped a class and went up to
grade 2.
Other members of staff he remembers were Mrs Brophy -standard 1, standard 4 -Mrs Kempster,
standard 5 - Mr Bishop and from standard 6 upwards all the teaching was done by the brothers.
The teachers from the grades up to standard 5 had their own classrooms and taught all subjects
but after standard 6 the brothers taught individual subjects. The brothers he remembers are Br
Benedict, Br Bonaventure who was the rugby coach, Br Walker, Br Ephraim and Br Ralph.
Br Edwin was the headmaster followed by Br Benedict until Peter’s last year when Br Anthony
took his place. He recalls Br Edwin had very bad arthritis and had to take cortisone.
Peter enjoyed sport and played soccer in the junior school followed by rugby and cricket 1st and
2nds in the high school. There were A and B sides from U13, U14, U15 and then the 1st and
2nds. There was great rivalry between St David’s and Observatory who had some very good
players. The year in which he wrote matric St David’s rugby team was soundly beaten by
Observatory who had some great players and athletes in their team.
Peter remembered the tours to other Marist schools and went to Cape Town with the cricket
team in 1959 and in 1960 to St Henry’s and St Charles in Natal.
Culturally, Peter used to attend the debates between other schools but was not a member of the
debating society. A concert was held which he doesn’t remember too much about but he was
involved with two operettas, “HMS Pinafore” and “The Pirates of Penzance” directed by the
Music teacher Mr Drummond Bell.
As his first passion was the sport, Peter didn’t do too well academically and didn’t work very
hard, and although there was no sparing of the rod he wasn’t sufficiently motivated to work.
The matric dance was held in the dining room and he recalls it was agonising to find a girl to
take to the dance, he was only 16 at the time. The boys decorated the dining room themselves
and after the dance went home. In 1959 a party was organised for the end of year exams and
Br Benedict warned them that they wouldn’t be allowed to write the exams if he found them to
be involved in preparations for the party.
After he matriculated, Peter went on to Wits University where he studied for a BSc Engineering
but bombed out and then spent a year in the army after which he joined the Netherlands Bank
which became Nedbank until he retired. Paul Middlewick and Gilbert Pooley were also on the
Nedbank staff.
Peter has a son who after returning to Johannesburg from Natal went to Hyde Park High
School.
Peter attended a school reunion after 25 years and saw one of his contemporaries Clive Nobbs
who became head of Rand Mines and the Chamber of Mines.
JE March 2012

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Brother Vincent 1969, 1987 - 1990

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Interview with Brother Vincent – 1969 and 1987-90
Brother Vincent joined the brotherhood in 1965 at the age of 18, based at Hibberdene together with Br
Joseph who is now Brother Provincial.
His Postulancy and Novitiate years were spent close to Stellenbosch in 1967 and 1968 respectively. These
two years are set aside for his receiving the Habit and making First Vows.
In 1969 he came to St David’s and stayed there whilst undergoing a spirituality course called “Fons Vitae”
at the Good Shepherd Centre in Oaklands together with other brothers and nuns. He and Br Joseph went
daily from St David’s. At that stage Br Anthony was headmaster of the high school, V Kempster principal of
the junior school, and Willy Castle was in matric. Willy’s mother Dorothy taught Br Vincent piano. Br Vincent
taught the junior catechism to a standard 4 class. During the holidays he spent a lot of time planting grass
on the field and was involved with a lot of physical work at the school, cutting trees and grass, working
together with Aggie Simaan. He remembers the many regular teas, biscuits and chats with Aggie Simaan in
her little office near the cricket oval at the time when he helped in great measure planting the grass on the
newly-levelled oval and fields. He regularly cut the fields with the old red tractor, which is now in the preschool
playground!
His bedroom in the brothers’ House was upstairs and faced the inner quad above the then bursar’s office.
One of his duties was to ring the bell at 5am every morning to wake the brothers.
Again, whilst he was studying full-time at JCE from 1987 to 1990, he stayed at St David’s and became the
community superior. During this time became very friendly with Willem, the estate manager, whom he
frequently assisted during his holiday breaks. In his third year helped out by teaching Technical Drawing to
two grade 7 classes.
In 1991 he was the asked by the brothers to work in their mission outreach programme, and he went to
Slough in the Kalahari Desert. The St David’s Marist co-workers, run by Tom Oliver, used to come out once
a year bringing mostly clothing and blankets.
Br Vincent enjoyed his time at St David’s and still keeps in touch with many of the current and former staff
members. Past pupils and parents taught by Br Vincent in the other Marist schools and who are currently
associated with St Davids are Bruce Eyles, Franco Guiliardi, Dr Roger Gibson, Chris Elfick, Allan Young
and Marius Khoury.
Brother Vincent has been at Sacred Heart since 2007 and is currently the estates manager.
JE September 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Nassey Simaan

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  • 2012

Interview with Nassey Simaan 1960’s
Nassey was the parent of Gabriel Simaan who matriculated in 1968. He and his wife, Agnes
were heavily involved with the school from 1956 until their son Gabriel matriculated. They were
not officially employed by the school but helped in a voluntary capacity.
His wife was instrumental in the grassing of the rugby fields and later the cricket pitch. Agnes
got some people organised and kikuyu grass was collected from the river in Buccleuch, she also
organised the grassing of the cricket oval. The Wanderers Cricket Club wanted to use the oval
for some important fixtures as theirs was underwater and they regarded St David’s pitch to be
superior, however the brothers would not allow this.
When Nassey coached the rugby team they won all their matches bar one. Sadly he had a
dispute with Brother Anthony when one of the boys was not awarded his colours. He liked Br
Anthony but didn’t always get on with him which resulted in him moving his other son, Andrew to
Observatory.
Shortly before he died Br Anthony asked to see them. They visited him in hospital, he was
happy to see them and apologised to Nassey and died not long afterwards.
Nassey will be 90 on 5 April 2012-01-23
JE January

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with George Lagoudis 1957

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  • 2013

Interview with George Lagoudis – 1957
George was a boarder from 1949 until 1957 and enjoyed his time at the school. His cousin Theo
Ananiades from Lorenzo Marques in Mozambique was the head of College House. The Saheti
school did not exist in those days.
Brother Edwin was the headmaster who ruled with an iron fist and was extremely conservative.
He was appointed Brother Provincial in 1957 and Br Benedict succeeded him as headmaster.
Br Benedict was a good man, housemaster for the A & B dormitories, he coached rugby and
was involved with sport at the school. Br Benedict had a more reasonable and modern
approach which was not understood by the boys and often abused.
The Brothers were clever teachers such as Br Ephraim who understood a lot of things and
taught Maths, Science and Latin and caned a whole class on one occasion.Br Bonaventure
taught Latin at matric level, Br Bartholemew taught Geography using humour to make his
lessons more interesting, he later became the principal of Koch Street. Br Lawrence was a nice
man who spoke a little Greek. Br Ralph, a big man helped with sport and specifically 1st team
rugby and showed the boys a lot of techniques. Br Gerald was in charge of the dormitories. Br
Charles Andrew Cowen was from America, presented himself to Br Edwin in his Saturday
clothes and was sternly reprimanded and told to don his cassock immediately. He had an
America approach to education which was at odds with the blinkered, regimental South African
model. Mrs Kempster in the prep was very strict but always had the best results at the end of
the year. It was nothing for her to strap the whole class 2 or 3 times a day – 10 and 11 year old
boys don’t concentrate well for too long.
Br Anthony got his nickname “Oanges” when George was sitting outside the dining room one
day playing with oranges. Br Anthony commented on this, hence the nickname.
George recalled that in his time there were about 70 boys to a class housed in the old study
beneath the old Chapel. Students always rebelled against the teachers and there was an
incident when one of the boys got hold of a cassock and bib and displayed it high up near the
water tower.
George was a thin, sinewy little boy and there was a big chap who bullied him until, one day he
came out of the dining room and in response to some comment, George swung around and
gave him a crack on his jaw and both of them ended up with bloody noses but the bullying
stopped. It was a difficult time for George because of the timing of the Cypriot campaign and he
was often singled out being the only Greek, with is nickname being “Greekie”. Because of this
he and Buchman, a German who was also bullied became friends. Other friends were Anton
Zunkel (North Transvaal) and Brian Jeffries (Durban).
There wasn’t much in the way of cultural activities but Mr Drummond-Bell did organize the boys
to sing the “Ave Maria” at the city hall. There was also a production of the “Pirates of Penzance”
but George’s voice had broken by this time. George remembers one debate against Obs where
the topic of whether the radio was needed or not was discussed. There was also the occasional
debate against Parktown Girls at their school.
On a Sunday, the non-catholic boys used to walk to the Church of England church, St Martin’s
in the Fields escorted by Father Bannon in his car. The boarders used to get one weekend off at
month end and visiting Sunday was every other Sunday of the month from 2pm until 6pm. The
food wasn’t bad but there was a lot of competition for the day boys’ sandwiches.
The boarders had lockers, George’s was number 807. The locker rooms were next to each
dorm which had 44 beds in each with a sleeping area, washrooms and the area where the
Brothers slept. In the middle were the racks for towels and gowns. One day after tea he
changed to go to the rugby field and a boy threw an orange which splattered all over George’s
locker and took Br Bartholemew’s glasses off.
The boys also stored their tuck in their lockers, which were not locked. Brian Jeffries used to
raid George’s locker and George responded by placing brooklax which looked like smarties into
a smarties box. As a result Brian subsequently spent a lot of time in the toilet and thereafter no
longer raided George’s tuck!
George was a good athlete involved with long distance running and together with Brian Jeffries,
head boy, was awarded the victor ludorum . He also played rugby 3rds, did a little swimming
and played tennis. He recalled the cinder track where the prep playing fields now stand. The
track was used by the university and for school events. The school competed against Germiston
and Springs Boy’s High Schools both home and away.
There was no official matric dance in 1957 due to a misunderstanding between the boys and
the Brothers, however the boys saved the money themselves and had an evening dinner and
dance at a night club in Eloff Street instead.
There was an annual dance in June/July when the rubber floor in the boarders dining room was
used to facilitate the dancing. The Arthur Murray dance school taught the boys to dance.
A lot of emphasis was placed on sport and as a consequence, academic s suffered and George
had to repeat his matric at Damelin, a cram college. There were 30 -32 boys in his matric class.
On finishing his education, initially George worked behind the counter of Portas delicatessen
and found working with the public quite an education in itself. He worked as a representative for
Vaal Tobacco selling cigarettes and went into the air force, working during the day then putting
in his hours at Dunnotar air force base training school. Unfortunately he didn’t pass the exams
but then did a course in engineering drawing and spent several years as an engineering
draughtsman for EBS Metal which was the first company to produce lathes and small presses in
SA during the years of sanctions. Later he was offered a job with the Travena Group managing
a store in Springs and eventually bought his father’s business in 1970. His delicatessen Portas
– The Shunting Yard is now located in Sunninghil and he also sells model trains through a
German dealership.
George last visited St David’s about 30 years ago and his grandchildren attend the Saheti,
Greek school.
JLE February 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with John Slaven 1979

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  • 2013

Interview with John Slaven – 1979
John came to St David’s in standard 1 and recalled his first day, assembled in the quad
where the chapel now stands, in his new school uniform and Mrs Watson was his teacher.
His classroom was in the current CEO’s house.
John came from Northcliff Primary and had not been taught cursive writing and was only
used to using a pencil, he battled but learnt by watching the other boys. Mrs Watson was a
fierce teacher, there was no nurturing and he was one a very few new boys.
John enjoyed being a day boy and having his own space at home, however his older brother
Andrew would have loved to have been a boarder. He was a great sportsman and would
have benefited from all the training before and after school and at weekends. John initially
took the bus to school but eventually sometimes cycled.
John remembered Br Anthony who maintained a good balance with discipline. Br Timothy
however had a fierce temper and didn’t have the same presence as Br Anthony. John liked
Br Timothy but thought he was very isolated and under pressure from the board of
governors. The board was very distant to the school which John’s father realised when he
joined the board after his sons had left the school.
John played sport all the way through school but was not good enough for the soccer team
in primary school. He played cricket mostly for the 2nd’s which he enjoyed as he had the
chance to participate more, to bat and bowl more often than he did in the 1st team in his
matric year. Although he didn’t think his cricket was that great he was elected captain of the
2nd team cricket. John also played rugby starting in the U12 team which competed against
other schools as the U13C’s and managed to beat everyone. This team remained intact and
continued to win through to the U15’s. It was a special team with Brian Walter, centre, an
American, who was big and fast (he left in 1977), and Mike Peel, scrum half. Rugby was like
a religion in the school and early on Monday mornings Br Timothy would put up an
assessment of the weekend’s games and would give players stars 1 – 5 for their
performance. The whole school could see this and Br Timothy didn’t hold back with his
comments. Andrew Driver was an exchange student from the UK, a good athlete and rugby
player, winger, who stayed with David Kalk. John was best man at David’s wedding and
David’s son is his godson.
From standard 9 to matric, John played 1st team rugby and was made captain and rugby
player of the year. Losing to KES 2nd team in 1978 was a huge blow. Peter Swanson
(Springbok) was their rugby coach for a while and, before a game against Observatory he
brought along his Springbok blazer and motivated the team, he was a great inspiration. John
also played water polo occasionally for the A team, he wasn’t great but enjoyed it.
The annual inter-house gala was a great evening event with the boys shouting their war
cries, with their rosettes and decorations spurring on their respective teams. Cross country
was really more of a road run in those days.
John’s brother Geoff was an equestrian and went with the school team to Heddingly, he was
a top horse rider for a year or two.
John also joined in the cultural aspect of the school and played the role of “Herod” in the
school play “The Business of Good Government”.
The matric dance was always the highlight of the year. The boys were given a week off to
prepare the hall, coping with all the designs and implementation. They organised everything,
the invitations, table decorations, photographers, the theme being “Gangsters”. The boys
worked all day and then went to the Spur for supper and came back to continue. On the
Saturday night there was a band, the girlfriends and the food and drink. It was such a fun
week and only for the matrics and the standard 9, 1st team rugby.
There were some good teachers who really stood out – Mr Lipschitz, Maths who became
more of a friend, almost like a big brother who managed to make his subject interesting. Bill
Carew, standard 7 -8, Science, he was fantastic, able to explain things and had a way that
fascinated the boys. He once took them on a field expedition to the Northern Transvaal. Mrs
Landau taught Biology and although she had a more formal relationship with the boys, she
made this subject interesting and it eventually became John’s best and favourite subject.
Mrs Napier, standard 2 was very strict but also friendly but the boys knew their boundaries.
She once caught John cribbing and gave him a caning with her heavy ruler..
John went on a couple of camps, hiking in the Eastern Transvaal where they stayed in
hostels overnight. Ben Claasens, the Afrikaans teacher had a farm near Krugersdorp with a
dam and horses and he ran a camp for a week for the boys to get an Afrikaans immersion.
There were no outreach programmes in John’s time.
Academically John did well and was first in his class (27 in matric) most of the time and, for
his matric he achieved 5 distinctions. John participated in debating, senior best speakers,
was managing director of the stock exchange game, was in the athletics team. Captain of
Osmond house was elected head prefect and awarded scrolls for merit, studies, debating
and rugby. He was awarded an honours blazer and academic tie, Brother Pius Medals for
Biology and Physical Science and won the Osmond Cup for Leadership.
However, John says he was no angel and often got into trouble and on one occasion in
matric Br Timothy decided he needed to go home for a few days.
On leaving school, John studied Mechanical Engineering at UCT, followed by 2 years
national service in the navy. He became officer in charge of materials with a laboratory in
Simonstown and was the top naval officer candidate. He then went on to work for De Beers,
Industrial Diamond Division for 4 years as they had given him a bursary whilst at UCT. He
then went to the Harvard Business School to do his MBA afterwards joining Boston
Consulting Group for 10 years becoming a partner He then joined Alcoa in New York for 3
years and a year in China, followed by an appointment with BHP Billiton for whom he has
worked in Melbourne, Perth Australia and is currently vice president business development,
minerals exploration based in Singapore and about to move to Perth. John led BHP Billiton
sustainability function with extensive programmes to improve long term sustainability of
aboriginal groups,
John is married with 3 daughters.
John is a member of MOBS and would be more than happy to address an assembly on one
of his business trips to South Africa.
JLE June 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Jason Simaan 2003

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  • 2013

Interview with Jason Simaan - 2003
Jason’s father Antoine is also an old boy of St David’s and the son of Nassey Simaan. His father travels a
lot on business especially to the Far East for his company World Agencies which he started in 1983.
Jason came to St David’s in 1990, grade 0 and Mrs Walton was his teacher. He thinks he cried on the way
to school but made his first friend of the same name, Jason Metcalfe.
Jason enjoyed the prep school, was not a great sportsman but played cricket and soccer and participated
in tennis and athletics. He was more of a scholar then and won all the English and Afrikaans declamations
and trophies in standard 5. He was good at and enjoyed public speaking which he owes to the instruction
and guidance of Mrs Sandy who taught English in standard 2, she tutored him well. Jason won public
speaking competitions all the way through to high school. Sadly Mrs Sandy had a stroke and eventually
passed away. Jason was also a member of the mini city council an experience which he enjoyed, helping
people, meeting pupils from other schools and of course the public speaking.
Jason’s cousin, Gareth Simaan matriculated in 1998 and unfortunately Jason was tarred with the same
brush with some teachers such as Mr Andrews who taught Biology. Jason knew nearly all the matrics being
related also to Stephan Contardo, they were terrifying and the discipline was fierce but the boys were
intimidated in a good way. Jason was also good friends with Andrew Castle, Willy Castle’s son. Jason still
calls him “Sir”.
The standard 6 Glenwood camp was tough with all the new guys and seemed a bit like a concentration
camp. However the boys learnt a lot about themselves and the St David’s ethos and pulled together team
building. Rod Smith was always epic on that camp with a great rivalry between the Osmond and Bishops
boys.
There was a complete turnaround in Jason’s life when he reached high school as he concentrated more on
sport and the academics took a back seat. He went from being one of the top 3 to 21st. He was a member
of the 1st team water polo from standard 8, 1st team rugby from standard 9. For him the 1st rugby team was
the ultimate, the black and gold, the prestige and camaraderie. Memories of the prayers before a match
and then walking down to the field, still gives him goose bumps to this day. In 2003 the school had a really
good team beating KES, 16 - 3 for the first time in 52 years, with Neil Le Roux scoring the winning try. On
that particular day, a midweek match, away at KES, all the other St David’s teams, rugby, hockey had been
beaten and then they won. Jason recalled the three best rugby years for St David’s were 1972, 1995 and
2003.
Other noteworthy occasions were winning the Johnny Waite cricket in 2003, the first cricket side to do so.
The cricket team did well that year as did the hockey team and the water polo team was the first to
compete against other schools and Kyle Biller was captain of the swimming team. The matrics liked to
believe that they were the pioneers creating the legacy that Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh had talked about.
Jason is still in touch with many of his former schoolmates; friendship was and still is very important to him.
Among them are Rob Smith, Chris Marsay, Sean Schoombie and Danilo Giacovazzi. James Reeves and
Farhaan Williams were always the top academics.
The matric Dance was spectacular with the theme of Mardi Gras. Jason and the pupils always enjoyed the
Guy Fawkes evening at St David’s, believing it to be the best in town and looked forward to that and the
Saturday sporting fixtures. The rugby tour to Argentina that year was a spectacular event with the boys
winning all their games whilst being exposed to a different culture.
The teachers he remembers well are Willy Castle, Rick Wilson, Paul Edey and Julie Roman who was his
favourite and he always went to seek her advice when he had “issues”. Simon Fry was Jason’s History
teacher, house master and U16A rugby coach. Jason always did well in History as Simon made it so
interesting. He recalls that Simon always wrote on the board in capital letters.
Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh was the head boy, he was really good and captain of the cricket and soccer teams.
In his first speech as head boy he told the boys that “We are here to create a legacy” and that they certainly
did. Jason was a prefect and deputy head of house,The Bishops. He was awarded an honours blazer, full
colours for water polo, leadership and merit.
On the last day of school, the matrics were ready with their water balloons, but were foiled by Marius Buys,
who realised what they were up to. He confiscated the balloons and then threw them back at them. They
had a farewell breakfast and were full of mixed emotions, signing shirts and wondering what was coming
next. Humility, simplicity and respect were hammered into the boys and they never forget “Comfortare Esto
Vir” “Take Courage and be a Man”.
After matriculating, Jason studied a BComm Marketing at Wits University but dropped out after 8months as
his Maths wasn’t strong and he should rather have studied for a BA Sports Science. He then worked in the
motor spares industry for 1 ½ years but it wasn’t for him and went on to become a sales rep for his uncle
Andy Simaan at RMS. That didn’t work out and for 6months he was basically unemployed until Gareth
Simaan asked him what he was going to do. The following day he left for Mozambique with Gareth at 3am
and spent the next 8 months at Vilanculos learning to run the business, in at the deep end. There was no
internet and it was an entirely different and isolated environment. He then went onto the Ivory Tree a five
star hotel in the Pilansberg as beverage manager, then Shepherds Tree as a general manager. He spent 4
-5 years learning the hospitality industry. Together with his sister Candyce, who runs the financial side of
the business he started Andiccio 24 in 2011 running the operational side of the business.
Jason is a member of MOBS and would definitely send any sons to St David’s.
JLE November 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Gabriel Simaan 1997

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  • 2013

Interview with Gabriel Simaan – 1967
Gabriel began his career at St David’s in grade 1, 1956 as a day boy becoming a boarder in

  1. He remembers crying all day and his teacher, Mrs Brick sat him next to Derek
    Schoombie. Gabriel was the first of Nassey Simaan’s sons at the school. He also recalled
    his brother Antoinne killing all the fish in the fish pond. Gabriel took a bus to Corlet Drive
    then walked to school most days and with his brothers delivered milk on the way.
    All the boys were scared of Mrs Kenesovitch. Br Andrew was in charge of sport. When in
    boarding school the boys could work out when Br Andrew was in his room and on one
    accession George Da Matto, David Palmer and Geoff Price went off for a smoke on the
    lower field. Br Andrew got wind of this, put on his habit and went out with his torch and
    caught them. The matric boys sat at the head table in the dining room and Br Andrew walked
    up and down using a chain to hit boys if they misbehaved. Gabriel put books in his pants
    when he was sent to Br Anthony for caning. Other Brothers were Br Vincent and Br Bosco
    (Mario).
    Gabriel enjoyed the sports days and athletics events were very special. Gabriel didn’t play
    soccer but went instead into the U12 rugby team at the age of eleven. The boys were only
    allowed to play rugby once they reached high school. He didn’t play cricket but played tennis
    and participated in athletics. Gabriel was a good rugby player in the high school with Nassey
    being the rugby coach. Gabriel was captain of the U13A but was eventually dropped as
    captain because he was too naughty. His team U13, U14 and U15 won almost all their
    games.
    Although Gabriel loved athletics he always had to compete with Terence Lavery who held
    the world record for U17 sprint. In high school, Lavery had to drop out of rugby and
    concentrate on running and as a consequence their rugby team was no longer so strong and
    began to lose games. The Marist weekend in Cape Town was a phenomenal experience.
    The boys planted the new cricket fields, knocking on doors in the area for donations and
    were very successful. In standard 9 they were sometimes allowed out of school in the
    evenings. One of the boys, George Da Matta’s father owned a fish and chip shop, and he
    lent the boys his truck to transport the grass which they collected from nearby Gabriel’s
    home in Buccleuch and planted up the rugby and cricket fields. Br Anthony was not aware of
    the boys trips to the fish and chip shop in Melville.
    Gabriel made some good friends which included Jo Stravino, Anthony Reswick, Peter De
    Kock, Kevin Hussey, Johnny Williamson and Johnny Miranda.
    Gabriel was appointed prefect in his matric year, was awarded his honours blazer, scrolls for
    merit and rugby and was also captain of the army rugby side, Roodepoort. He was selected
    for the Transvaaal U20 rugby team but injured his hand and stopped playing although his
    father, Nassey maintained it was because he discovered women! Nassey was always
    disappointed that Gabriel didn’t become a provincial Transvaal rugby player.
    On leaving St David’s, Gabriel went into the army followed by 5 years studying pharmacy at
    the Johannesburg Technical College. He then opened his own pharmacy and
    pharmaceutical companies together with his brother Andrew and currently owns Eurolab. He
    was awarded the Healthcare IMS award in 1996.
    Eurolab opened 18 months ago and is currently the second biggest supplier of generic
    oncology drugs only marketing drugs which have been approved by the US Federal Drug
    Agency and the MCC in Europe.
    Gabriel supports a settlement nearby his game lodge establishing a community centre, a
    store to sell goods.
    JLE July 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Matthew Alford 2003

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  • 2013

Interview with Matthew Alford – 2003
Matthew arrived at St David’s coming from St Peter’s Prep, alone and not knowing anyone. Being very shy,
he found it terrifying, walking into the main quad with his very new school uniform, bags and books. Savo
Ceprnich was the first boy to come and introduce himself, and still remains a close friend of Matthew’s
today. He found the timetable very confusing and after a gruelling Glenmore camp, became a member of
Benedict house.
Matthew liked the teachers and found them easy to get on with. He made some good friends during his
time at the school and enjoyed the culture of St Davids.
Paul Edey was very special and well liked and Matthews’s first encounter with him in class was rather
intimidating, with Paul standing on the elevated teaching platform. When Paul asked him for his name,
Matthew replied with his christian name and Paul barked at him saying “Surname, boy!” All the boys liked
Paul, he was a major influence on them and had a personal relationship with every boy at the school. He
had such charisma none of the boys wanted to get a bad mark from him.
Matthew experienced some interesting moments with Marius Buys who told weird stories and had strange
teaching methods. Mr Andrew was unpredictable and the boys never knew what mood he would be in.
Matthew really liked Mrs Roman and Mrs Marais who had so much patience and love and Mrs Voorendyk
who once kicked out the entire class one by one, for not doing their homework.
Matthew participated in hockey, in winter and swimming during the summer.
Together with Rowan Stafford, Matthew assisted with the school’s weekly newsletter helping Reverend
“Rev” Bruce from grade 9 until matric. The work was quite time consuming with its Thursday deadline and
they handed it over to a new team, before writing their matric exams
After matric, Matthew studied a BComm Accounting at RAU\UJ. He then obtained his BComm Accounting
Honours through UNISA while working at KPMG in 2010. He is currently working as a CA(SA) at ABSA
Capital, is involved with product control and corporate loans.
Based on his experience at St. David’s Marist Inanda, Matthew would definitely consider enrolling any sons
at the school in the future.
JLE December 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Gregory Murphy 2006

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  • 2013

Interview with Gregory Murphy – 2006
Gregory recalls his first day at St David’s in grade 1,1995 meeting Mr Castle who was a scary
and shouting man. He also remembered Mr Castle screaming “Run fruit salads” during athletics
in the primary school.
Gregory enjoyed his time at St David’s and loved the sports, catholic culture and the high
standard of teaching from the likes of Paul Edey, Stuart Foulds, Julie Roman and Father Brewer
who was an exceptional man. Other teachers who made a lasting impression on him were Mr
Castle, Mrs Ansell, Mr Van den Berg and Mrs Kennedy.
He enjoyed the family aspect of the school and was involved in swimming and was the B team
captain, water polo 2nd team U\14 to |U\16 A’s, he played rugby and was a member of the 2nd
and 3rd teams U\14 – U\16A’s. Sports days were always memorable whether it were an interhouse
or inter-school event. He didn’t enjoy the prevalence of bullying and non-action against
notorious bullies by management and teachers. He also didn’t especially like the heavy parent
presence which he felt influenced the school culture.
He has good memories of the annual fireworks event, receiving his honours blazer in assembly
with Mr Williams and his parents.The final assembly in matric and leading the Kalamazumba
from the front of the hall.
Some unhappy memories were when he got into trouble and had to do detention and losing his
library monitor badge. He was not really a fan of academics although he excelled in spite of the
occasional poor teacher and classes. Despite this, Gregory was awarded an honours blazer for
academics and the Lynn Stuart Memorial Trophy for Academic Achievement and the Gian-
Paolo Pera Accounting Prize..
During the final days of matric he recalled the boys bringing farm animals to roam the squad but
he was very emotional about leaving the school and a large part of his life behind.
After matriculating with distinctions in Maths, Biology, Physical Science, Additional Maths,
Accounting and Advanced Maths, he went on to study at Wits University studying for a Bachelor
of Accounting Science and B Comm. Honours in Finance and went on to complete his
Chartered Accounting qualification. He received entrance into the Golden Key Society at Wits.
He felt that school had prepared him for university with the Additional Maths and Advanced
Maths which really helped with the Maths and Statistics he did in the first year at varsity. The
Accounting he learnt at school also helped him in his first year.
Gregory is currently employed as an accountant at Price Waterhouse Coopers.
He made many friends at St David’s and is in touch with many of them the majority of whom are
members of MOBS.
JLE 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Charles Robinson 1981

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Interview with Charles Robinson – 1981
Charles first came to St David’s in 1973 as a day boy although he had boarded in the UK at the age of 5
and then again at Michaelhouse. He preferred day school as he spent more time with his family.
Charles enjoyed the sport and was captain of the 1st tennis team; captain of 2nd cricket XI; 3rd rugby XV; a
member of the athletics and swimming teams and was awarded a scroll for tennis. He recalls winning the
inaugural school golf championships at the Wanderers.
Charles remembers Trudy Elliott trying so hard. He remembers being initially told that he wouldn’t have to
learn Afrikaans as he had arrived from the UK, only to be told in standard 8 that he would need it for matric.
Charles hated exams. He enjoyed watching Br Timothy rant and rave.
He took a girl called Angela to his matric dance which was a low key event. He recalls being quite excited
on his last day at St David’s even though he still had no idea of what he was going to do.
On matriculating, Charles was exempt from army service as he was from the UK and studied for a National
Diploma in Hotel Management and at the Institute for Financial Studies. Charles is currently self employed
as a financial consultant and lives in Natal. He is married with two sons aged 17 and 14. He is involved with
church community projects.
He last visited St David’s this year for the first time since he left whilst he was in Johannesburg attending a
reunion organised by Sven Arp.
JLE November 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Reinhard Hartmann 1980 and Robert Hartmann 1981

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Interview with Reinhard Hartmann – 1980 and Robert Hartmann – 1981
Reinhard came to St David’s in 1968 and specifically remembered the fountain at the entrance to the prep
school. He recalled being told by Mrs Kempster, who was quite a tough cookie, to put his cap on, as he
hadn’t been to a nursery school he had no experience of a formal environment.
There were still boarders at the school when he and his brother Robert initially started. Reinhard
remembered the swimming pool, science block and Mr Chipolat the Science teacher. He thoroughly
enjoyed standard 9. Br Timothy used to flick his fingers and say “Office! Boy!”. Robert has fond memories
of Heather Joseph who taught both himself and his younger brother Roland, Art. Br Bernard was the rugby
coach who would get the boys into a huddle saying their “Hail Mary’s” and then tell them to “Go Kill ‘em!”.
He was a good sculptor and photographer. They both remembered learning History by rote which made it
incredibly boring.
Reinhard felt that Trudy Elliot had the biggest influence on his life at St David’s, she was one of those
teachers who was interactive. He recalled the Great Gatsby, Macbeth and The Crucible, which he will
never forget and recently compared the two Gatsby movies with his family recently. Reinhard is still an avid
reader to this day. Robert also saw her many years after he finished school and said that she was well liked
by all the boys. Reinhard remembered Penny Richards who taught swimming and who, at the time he
thought to be the most beautiful woman in the world! Other teachers were Mr Boswell who was different
and calm, teaching Afrikaans and History. Mr McFadden was quite a character and Willy Castle also taught
both of them.
Br Timothy (Tin Man) ran the school with an iron fist and wasn’t particularly well liked. When he was
headmaster he made a speech on the boys’ last day threatening them that they would not matriculate if
they threw him into the swimming pool. There were not many brothers still teaching at the school when the
Reinhard and Robert came to the end of their school career.
The brothers felt that they were never frightened into believing the religious aspect of their education whilst
at St David’s whereas at Treverton they were exposed to Sunday movies with non believers burning in hell.
At Sat David’s there was religious instruction and a regular mass which was very formal and weekly
Confession. Robert remembers being an altar boy for one event. The boys used to strive to be an altar boy
but Chaplain Plesters didn’t interact with the boys outside of mass. Reinhard felt that he took away from
this a respect for his elders and other people. Education was not his priority and neither he or Robert were
great academics and in those days the parents didn’t get involved as they do today.
Reinhard remembers writing matric in the dorms. And that the theme of his matric dance was “Star Wars”.
Both brothers left St David’s for a short period of time, they had a very autocratic German father who
decided that there was too much emphasis on sport and not enough on academics. They both went for one
term to Sandown High where they were introduced to girls, Robert in standard 6 and Reinhard in standard

  1. From there they were sent to Treverton, a boarding school in Moii River. Robert came back to St David’s
    at the beginning of the second term in standard 8 and Reinhard lasted until about three quarters of
    standard 9. Both of them repeated a year, Robert standard 8 and Reinhard, standard 9.
    Both brothers remembered being caned but usually for a good reason.
    Reinhard had a drivers license in matric and drove an old Varient. A few boys Alphonso de Chaud, Enrico
    Maraschin, Brian Muller and George Daras tutored him and helped him pass matric. Reinhard was
    awarded scrolls for rugby and swimming and water polo. Reinhard played 1st rugby XV, was captain of the
    ‘A’ water polo team and captain of Bishops house
    Robert was vice captain of the ‘A’ swimming team, vice captain of the 2nd rugby XV and captained the
    Western province team, ‘A Water Polo team, a prefect and was awarded an honours blazer, scrolls for
    prefect, werit and water polo.
    After leaving school, Reinhard was accepted at Durban University to study a BComm but didn’t go. A friend
    of his father offered him a job in the laboratory field, then he followed his father and got involved in design
    and kitchens. In 1983 he went to Germany for three years to a college specialising in the furniture industry.
    Afterwards, in 1986 he went on a business trip with his father to the United States arriving just after the
    space shuttle blew up. Three months later both Reinhard and Robert were in the States, in Atlanta for one
    and half years until their father returned to South Africa and Reinhard and Robert closed the business.
    Reinhard rejoined the family business in 1994 and asked Robert to join him when their father retired and
    the two of them took over the business – Hartmann and Kepler. Keppler was their grandfather’s cousin, a
    cabinet maker.
    Robert completed a year at an audit firm as a junior clerk after leaving St David’s and rewrote Maths. He
    eventually went to work in the family business and did an apprenticeship in cabinet making for four years
    and went to the US in 1985-6. He then did his national service and joined the audit firm Meyer, Wilson and
    Marsh completing his articles there and studied for a degree through Unisa. He worked one year for an
    adult education company before returning to the family business.
    Reinhard felt that one of the saddest things when he left St David’s was that he didn’t know what the ANC
    was, although the country was in political turmoil he had been sheltered and was not aware of Mandela
    until he went to Germany.
    The brothers’ father, Gunter was an old boy of Koch Street and spent a short time at St David’s
    Robert has three sons two who currently attend St David’s and Reinhard has two daughters who attended
    St Mary’s. (Both at Stellenbosch). They have a brother Roland who also attended St David’s and is living in
    London.
    JE October 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Mike Peel 1978

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Interview with Mike Peel – 1978
Mike’s father went to Koch Street and Marist Observatory and his uncle was in the first class at
St David’s – Harold Morgan. He has cousins also related to the school, Paul and Anton Barale
and Renzo Brocco.
When Mike was in grade 2, his father was on the parish council at St Charles, Victory Park
when the lemon squeezer was built and set up a challenge match between Inanda and De La
Salle which went 1.0 to St David’s.
Mike began his career at St David’s in 1967, the year after his brother Kevin left and John, also
a pupil was 10 years older. Mike had just turned 5 and was too young to start school so he was
not too happy on his first day. He couldn’t read, write or draw but enjoyed sport.
His first teacher in grade 1 was Mrs Scarfsma. Br Lindsay coached soccer and used to teach us
to think about the game as he really loved it. Mike remembers playing in the quarter finals
against Blairgowrie and the team being knocked out 4-3 after leading 3-1, big disappointment.
Mike played U15 Transvaal cricket with Paul Ralphs. Br Aquinas was the Ist primary cricket
coach.
In standard 5 the boys had to play rugby and Mike was in the U13 C team. Peter Stringer, a
professional cricketer from Yorkshire was the coach for rugby and cricket and Br Bernard also
coached rugby. In standard 6 our U13A team won every game of rugby 20-0 victory against
KES at KES. until CBC Pretoria beat them. In standard 9, he recalls beating St Stithians in the
Johnny Waite Cricket semi-finals. Mike was in the Nuffield B cricket team in 1977with Paul
Ralphs and Peter Marneweck and the Nuffield A in 1978 and was awarded sportsman of the
year.
What was remarkable was that 36 matrics together with the standard 9 class put out 4 teams
and still managed to compete against bigger schools. Everyone had a chance and the team
spirit was strong. One of the highlights was beating St Stithians at rugby in matric. There were
rugby camps to Lydenberg before the rugby season with Br Timothy who bet Mike R5 to swim
across the dam in mid winter and he also dared him to get a crew cut on the last day of term.
Mike still has his rugby jersey and on one occasion at Penryn College where his children
attended school, ended up chatting to the St David’s coaches and presented the jerseys to the
St David’s 1st team. A proud moment for him.
Mike participated in the centenary celebrations at St Joseph’s, Cape Town on and has a copy of
the article in the Southern Cross 19 April 1967. There was a soccer tour to the Free State led by
Br Lindsay where the boys played 3 games in 2 days winning 2 and drawing the last one.
There was an exchange student, Andrew Driver who came from Shoreham Grammar in the UK.
He was a rugby and cricket player, scoring the winning kick against St Stithians. Charles Burn
(my best man and me his) was a great horse rider and our relationship with Shoreham
Grammar meant that our horse riding team competed at the Hickstead horse jumping
championship. Charlie was part of the team that competed at Hickstead winning once and doing
well on all the occasions we participated.
Another occasion he recalled was when he and two other equally naughty boys (no names)
moved the school combi after a tennis match at Risidale Primary. The teachers eventually
appeared from their tea and were shocked to find the combi gone. The boys had just moved it
around the corner and were caned by Mrs Kempster and then again by Br Anthony the next
day. Being caned by Br Anthony was probably the worst moment he had whilst at St David’s.
There were many pranks played including an incident when some of the boys moved a desk to
the edge of the platform in the classroom and when the brother lent against the desk it
collapsed.
Mike recalled teachers such as Mrs Geddes, Frank Maritz, Mrs Blaire, Mr Lipschitz, Mrs Napier
(Std 2) and Harold Gavron who instilled a love of ecology in him. Mrs Elliott was also a
memorable teacher and led the public speaking team although Mike was not really into the arts
his leaning being more on the sporting side.. The boys also raised funds for the blind under the
direction of Br Paul who was himself blind. Mike was photographed by the Southern Cross as
the youngest, smallest boy in the school handing money over to Br Paul.
Fellow pupils he remembers and is still in touch with are Andrew Slaven (Radiologist,New
Zealand), Roy Zent (heads up a kidney lab in the USA) and brothers Clive and Neil – all
overseas but visit Mike when they are in South Africa.
The matric dance was held in the hall which was decorated to look like a French cafe. On their
last day Br Timothy told the boys to take off their blazers before they went to the pub to
celebrate.
Andrew Slaven was head boy and Mike was vice-head boy together with Patrick Riley.
Mike left school at the age of 16 and went to Wits University and then to RAU. He studied for a
BSc Zoology and Botany then did an MSc in Wildlife Management in Pretoria followed by a PHd
at the University of KZN. After varsity he completed two years in the air force as a lieutenant. He
is currently a rangelands ecologist and looks at optimising in African rangelands but with focus
in the eastern lowveld and has run a research programme since 1989 undertaking aerial
surveys over South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique .He supervises a couple of Phd’s and
MSc’s at various universities including the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands,
Cambridge University, Texas A & M University, WITS and Pretoria..
He assists communities when their land is restored to them to develop the land. Mike and his
wife also do marriage preparation for the catholic church in Nelspruit and has been involved with
the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Mike last visited the school at the opening of the new chapel .His son attended Penryn College
but would have been a pupil at St David’s had they lived in Johannesburg. He also has a
daughter, an architect and his son is studying property management at Pretoria University.
JLE May 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Peter de Kock 1967

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Interview with Peter de Kock – 1967
Peter joined St David’s in 1962, standard 6 as a boarder. On his first day he remembered
meeting many other standard 6 boys from outlying areas and Johannesburg. The boys were
all sent to St David’s because there was no English medium available in the Afrikaans high
schools. For most of them it was their first time away from home, so it was quite a challenge
with the brothers taking care of them. In those days they didn’t have cell phones and they
were not allowed to use a telephone, very different from today.
He enjoyed being a boarder as they shared more comrade ship and school spirit, learning to
share and take responsibility for their own actions. There were more sporting activities which
meant more discipline but they had little family life. The day boys however had more of a
family life with their brothers and sisters and a better social life.
Teachers who made a lasting impression on Peter were Br Anthony,(Aunches) the boys
were all scared of him but he ruled the school with an iron fist, which made it a great school.
Peter now believes that Br Anthony could have been the MD of a big international company
and would have been very successful. Others were Br Andrew (Dracula) who was also very
tough but actually fair. Br Bosco and the other brothers left both good and bad impressions.
He remembered an occasion at rugby practise when Br Bosco let the boys tackle him, Peter
did so head first onto his leg and he couldn’t walk for a week. The least noteworthy brother
but a nice guy, in the first year of standard 7 read comic books in class, with the result that
half the class failed that year.
Peter enjoyed the sport playing in most teams but never made any first team. He also
enjoyed school affairs and school activities but unfortunately academics was not one of his
strong points. He was put in charge of the games room in standard 8 and when he became a
monitor in standard 9, the brothers asked him who he recommended to take over his duties,
he recommended Willy Castle!
The great sporting event that stands out in his memory was his first rugby game against
Jeppe, when his team lost 60 something Nil, with most of his group having never played
rugby before. They then, later won games against KES and Parktown which made up for it.
Another event was the 100th anniversary of the Marist Brothers in South Africa.
Things that Peter didn’t enjoy, was the feeling of being “dropped” at boarding school. Being
stuck at school as a boarder, he was an enthusiastic member of the cycling club as they
could get out at times although it became a comfort to get back to school. Uncomfortable
moments were such as the first time he saw a brother pull his cane out of his cassock, like a
sword and then go into chapel.A significant memory was that of being chosen as the first
non-catholic head boy of the school.
Of his last day at St David’s he recalls that they had an “end of matric” party, ending up at
the Balalaika Hotel and being chased away by a Zulu guard with a whip and big earrings.
Then there was a farewell in the courtyard and they all went their separate ways which was
rather sad. Peter had many friends at school but unfortunately his closest friends seemed to
have moved on to other schools and he was a bit of a loner, however he does remember
that most of his classmates had their own characters and they haven’t changed much apart
from the colour or lack of hair. A few of them Peter Moni, Derrick Schoombie, Kevin Hussey
and Rohan Erleigh meet for drinks at Molly Malone’s in Fourways every now and then. He
also meets up with others at the MOBS functions.
On Matriculating, Peter attended Farm technical course, Bloemfontein technical college.
Acquired an Agricultural Diploma from Potchefstroom Agricultural College then participated
in a foreign exchange programme at the University of Minnesota, St Paul USA for 3 years.
He married an American, returned to South Africa for 3 years farming in Heilbron. He then
emigrated to Minnesota and farmed and worked for 7 years in Luverne returning to South
Africa in 1983 where he met and married Suzette, then farmed in Heilbron for 11 years
moving to Fourways in 1994 and since then owns and runs a guesthouse in Glenferness,
“The Rooster’s Nest bed and breakfast”.
Peter has 4 children, a daughter in the USA,with businesses in Minneapolis and West Palm
Beach and a son who is a teacher in Sasolburg with one grandchild, a daughter who is his
PA and a son who is an entrepreneur. Peter’s wife is a teacher at St Peter’s Prep Boys
School.
Peter’s son Johnathan didn’t attend St David’s as, living in Kyalami it wasn’t practical
because of the traffic and he went to St Stithians. Peter last visited St David’s last year and
he usually attends the MOBS AGM and some sporting events when he can.
JLE July 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Michael Richardson 1971

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Interview with Michael Richardson – 1971
Michael came to St David’s as a dayboy living at home. He was lucky that he had such an
active sport life and close group of friends that he stayed at school every day until about 5pm
and often they were at one another’s homes – so in fact he had the best of both worlds, a
dayboy living like a boarder
Memories of first day at St David’s – the teacher Mrs Lego very kind, his school uniform was too
big, he was all enthusiastic to play games with friends
Memories of last day at St David’s – sorrow at leaving such a close group of friends. Leaving a
cocoon of life that embraced all he had done up till then – now it was into the big wide world –
but excited about army service and university.
Teachers who left a lasting impression were Brother Andrew (Dracula - Maths) Mrs Richardson
(English – my Aunt)) Brother Bosco (Science).
Michael was involved in all the sport he could play – cricket, football, swimming, athletics, rugby,
hockey, and tennis. He played 1st XI and XV cricket and rugby and swam for the school in
breaststroke and relay and held records in athletics, javelin, high jump and long jump (for a
while) and introduced the fosbury flop to the school high jump. Michael has great memories of
the cricket tour to the Cape in standard 8 as part of the inter Marist tournament and of winning
the 200 metres and high jump at a few inter-catholic highs athletics events. Michael was also
selected for the Transvaal schools U15 Cricket team.
An event which stands out was his first century, the day he was picked for the 1st XI, opening of
the cricket oval playing a Wilf Isaacs XI with international cricketers in it and opening the
batting!!
One his worst moments at school was getting caught drawing a picture of the teacher in an
uncompromising position and getting a caning in front of the class.
Other amusing memories are of racing for prefects tea to get the avocado sandwiches; getting
his best friend into trouble by giving him the wrong answer when he had been sleeping in class
and was asked to answer; sneaking into class late behind the teacher’s back only to have the
headmaster walk in behind you.
The matric Dance was fabulous, Michael was lucky to have a girl-friend at that stage who was
everything he wanted – beautiful, bright and a dancer! The decorations and the theme were
stunning and the boys were so proud as they thought they had done the best dance ever.
Michael most enjoyed the sport, friendship and some of the teachers: All the sport teachers
Brother Michael, Mr Greenway, Mr Summers and Brother Andrew but he least enjoyed Latin,
end of year exams, and caning.
Michael was a prefect and was awarded honours for athletics, cricket, was Victor Ludorum, and
in the Maths olympiad final round.
After leaving St David’s served time in the army gymnasium and paratroopers; he went on to
study Medicine at Stellenbosch and specialised in Obs Gynae in the UK. He worked in a
practice in UK for a few years then joined the pharmaceutical industry in R&D and is currently
head of drug safety with Bristol-Myers Squibb. Michael also gives research support in cystic
fibrosis charity and drug rehabilitation
Michael did not have any sons at St David’s and last visited the school 5 years ago.
Michael had 2 brothers at St David’s as well. Bryan and John Richardson
(john.richardson@sbcglobal.net)
Bryan Matriculated 1967 John Matriculated 1965.
Some random info: Originally the school grounds only extended as far as the road going down
past the swimming pool, - what is now the main entrance was the rear entrance and was the
boundary fence of the school. The PTA negotiated for about 5 years in the early 1960s to
purchase the house and all the lands which extended the school all the way down around the
bend on Rivonia road. The new cricket oval was created in front of the pavilion which was
inaugurated by Archbishop Boyle in 1970.
Later the school sold off the lower portion for development and housing which has probably
funded the school since then. The grounds were bought for under quarter million rands and God
knows what they have made from that very wise purchase. (Can you imagine how many fund
raisers we had in those days to get the funds).
The original cross country race on sports day used to start from the main gate (original main
gate) and head off towards Sandton (pre Sandton City) all the way down Rivonia Road, along
Katherine Street, Wierda Road (When it was still Wierda Valley and had small holding houses)
up along Pretoria Ave into Forest Road up past what was then the Inanda Polo Club, along Fifth
Avenue then up Boundary Road and into the athletics field through a gate which was then on
Boundary road and finish around the 400 m track to the finishing post. There used to be a full
athletics track around the original cricket oval with stands etc.

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Ryan Skirving 2012

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Interview with Ryan Skirving – 2012
Ryan began his career at St David’s in grade 0 in 2000, he was the first of three brothers to
attend St David’s. He has brother now in grade 11 and another in grade 3.
He started off in Mrs Tyack’s class and also remembers Mrs Milne. He loved the playground
and the tuck shop was really cheap especially on a Wednesday, the boys could buy a hot
dog, a drink and yoghurt for R10.
In the prep school the teachers who made an impression on him were Willy Castle who was
a legend, Mr Sinclair, Mr Thackwell, Mrs McWilliams, Miss Hatfield and Mr McIver. He
enjoyed the sport soccer, swimming, was captain of the swimming team and played
provincial soccer with Willy Castle and 2nd team cricket with Mr Eyels. He also participated in
athletics and recalls that once the prestige gala was cancelled because of bad weather. He
played 1st team hockey in grade 7 and touch rugby in grade 6.He enjoyed the inter-house
galas and won a few trophies. He also enjoyed the camps every year from grade 3 and the
sports tours swimming, soccer and provincial.
He remembers the big hill the boys had to run up at the grade 8 camp and the first group
orientation they did at night he got lost and someone kicked over a bee hive. The grade 9
initiation into the water polo team was great fun with Richard Lance and Greg Steenberg
who were great guys.
Ryan remembers starting high school and had already heard stories of the high school from
older friends like Dempsey Bayley. He was very involved with swimming and water polo but
became very ill after a tournament in grade 8 and was off sport for 9 months. He played
rugby until grade 11 but got concussed too many times and then played hockey in matric. A
fond rugby memory was the victory in grade 9 against St Stithians B team which St David’s
won. That U15 B team was one of St David’s that won that year. He had a swimming
scholarship so continued with swimming and was a member of 1st team water polo from
grade 9 and was awarded provincial colours for water polo in grade 9, 10, and 11 and was
captain of the 1st team in grade 12. He still enjoys water polo at university. He recalled that
there was no sport against Observatory or Marion College as in former times.
Ryan thought that grade 10 was the easiest year with selected subjects, the best sports and
academics. In grade 11 the workload increased and grade 12 was a good year despite the
incident on the bus. He spent quite a bit of time with Mr Williams during that time. He
thoroughly enjoyed the cultural tour to the UK with Mr Bauer, Mr Ireland, Mr Jericevich and
Mr Schneider who gave them quite a bit of freedom.
Academically Ryan did well and was in the top ten from the grades through to matric coming
1st in grade 10, 3rd in grade 11, and 9th 0r 10th in matric. He won trophies for the best water
polo player, promoting the Marist spirit and was awarded a Champagne medal. He was head
boy in 2012 and was a member of “The Bishops” house. He participated in public speaking
in grade 11 and 12 and was in the inter-house play in matric. The matric dance was great
fun held during the winter at the Wanderers, the theme being Titanic.
Ryan is currently studying Business Science (Finance and Accounting) at UCT and will do a
5th year Honours in Accounting. Now at university Ryan realises that St David’s has more of
an emphasis on individual responsibility and attitude around studying which helps
enormously at university.
Ryan is a member of MOBS and will be keeping in touch with the school.
JLE June 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Rakesh Parbhoo 1994

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Interview with Rakesh Parbhoo – 1994
Rakesh first came to St David’s in 1986 in standard 2 and barely remembers his first day but
does remember the third day. He had originally moved up from St Henry’s in Durban to join the
standard 1 class however, on the third day he was asked by the teacher to step out of class and
follow her. Then she and the principal Paul Davies told him that he was going to be moved to
standard 2 and to pack up his belongings. At the time he didn’t realise the impact that this would
have on his life. That same day he met his friend Michael in Mrs Hurley’s standard 2 class when
he asked to borrow a pen. He had only had pencils up until that time as that’s all that was
allowed in standard 1.
He really enjoyed his time at the school especially the friends he had and probably didn’t realise
it at the time but now looks back with fond memories of most of the aspects of school life. The
teachers, houses,sports events, plays etc.
The teachers who he remembers are Willy Castle who he hated in junior school but had
unbelievable admiration for him and much he has done for the school. Something he felt one
only noticed in hindsight was the respect and modelling he instilled in the boys. Mrs Hurley
standard 2, Mr Howard the History teacher who brought out a passion for the subject in Rakesh.
He cannot remember his name but his English teacher was a brilliant man.
The aspects he least enjoyed were the times when he felt he didn’t fit in and wasn’t part of the
”in crowd,. But there was nothing remarkable about that. Rakesh hated cross country and any
form of running although he does it as a hobby today! He recalled knocking himself unconscious
by running into the rugby posts on a training lap, not paying attention. Rakesh was in the 2nd
hockey team but although he played sports he wasn’t the most talented person on a field.
He recalls having a half broken voice and doing a solo in the school play which was one of the
most nerve wracking experiences at the time and yet it probably gave him the confidence he
never had to speak in front of a crowd. There were many aspects of day to day school life,
family events and sports days that all blend into a blurred memory. He mostly tried to stay out of
trouble but remembers the worst moments being hauled in front of a house master or the
headmaster as being things he dreaded.
Friends he made and with whom he is still in touch are Michael Wickins, godfather to his
children and Rakesh to his and best men at each other’s weddings. Simon who joined in
standard 6 is till a good friend.
The last day after the last exam he remembers the boys went ballistic around the school,
causing a bit of havoc and writing messages on friends’ shirts.
After matriculating, Rakesh studied for a BComm. at Wits University majoring in Insurance and
risk management and information systems and is currently working as executive for emerging
markets at Dimension Data and is responsible for Dimension Data’s 16 operations outside
South Africa and the Middle East.
Rakesh last visited the school three or four years ago. He is on the MOBS mailing list. He does
not have sons at St David’s.
JLE June 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Paul Saunders 1973 -1975 Staff

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Interview with Paul Saunders -Staff 1973-75
When Paul began teaching at St David’s, Br Anthony was the Headmaster but left in 1974 to go
to Slough and Br Timothy took over in 1975. The school was much smaller with about 200 boys
in the high school with mainly brothers teaching in addition to 6 to 7 lay teachers. Paul and his
wife Hester had just married and moved into Lowndes Gate close to the school and later moved
to Woodmead Manor, Rivonia. Paul taught Afrikaans and coached U13 cricket and the 5th rugby
team.
Some lay teachers he remembers were Billy Karoo now in the USA, Mrs Elliott and Ron Hughes
who both taught English, and Mrs Wheelan. They were a small group and bonded well. The
teaching periods were much longer but very well run and hands on. The boys were scared of
the brothers but Paul found them easy to work with. Br Anthony had an irritating habit of walking
up and down the corridors. He could not be seen through the windows which hung at 22
degrees and would stand out of sight and listen to the teachers, checking up on them.
In his first year the lay teachers originally had their lunch together with the brothers in the dining
room but then moved into what is now the copying room and the lunches became a little more
frugal, sandwiches and soup which didn’t please many of the staff. The chapel was upstairs and
used by the brothers. The tuck shop was where the Music centre is now and was run by the
parents.
Some of the brothers he recalls were Br Bosco, Br Bernard, Br Andrew (Drac) who taught
Maths, Br Aidan, the bursar and Br Anthony. Br Anthony had a couple of canes in his office but
punishment was only given in class, corporal punishment was the norm.
The matric dance was held in the boarder’s dining room with a pirate theme. The club house is
now the home of the CEO, the oval is in the same location and Pete Stringer, the cricket coach
used to rule the roost there. The prep playing field was the cricket pitch for all teams other than
the 1st team
Whilst Paul was recently substituting at the school he was using the same classroom he had
when he was full time at the school. He recalled that he had a very old wooden chair which one
day eventually collapsed in front of the whole class with him in it. The boys were so well
behaved they didn’t laugh until he told them they could.
There was a big ceremony when the auditorium was inaugurated. Most functions were held in
what is now the CEO’s home. There were many well known families with children at the school
– Lebos, Kourie, Daras, Zent, Allem, Marnewick, Walfords, Peel, Brian Macmillan was in the
cricket team and in those days the boys played Nuffield cricket. Paul remembered Mr Manolios,
the prep headmaster although he didn’t deal with him directly.
Paul eventually left to teach at Damelin and later taught Science and Biology to matric. Damelin
was eventually taken over by Educor.
Paul said that Marist Brothers brings back a great nostalgia, it was a special place. Paul enjoyed
his time at St David’s and found the boys to be extremely well behaved both in and out of the
classroom.
Photos that could be included – standard 9 and one with Br Bosco (Mario) and the honours
boys and U13 cricket team.
JLE February 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Alison Smith - Parent

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  • 2014

Interview with Alison Smith – Parent
Alison has been associated with St David’s from 1997 until 2012 whilst her sons Alistair and Stuart were
pupils at the school. She also assisted with a number of projects and stood in as “Matron” on a number of
occasions.
Alison helped behind the scenes in a number of ways believing that care and support stand out at St
David’s. A qualified nurse, she assisted Father Michael with special dressings when he contracted cellulitus
after his knee surgery and provided Monday evening meals for him and Father Chaka for some time.
Alison was on the line at rugby matches ready to assist if necessary and recalls meeting a rugby union
referee who she found impressive and particular in his requirements from medical support at matches.
Encouraged by Sharmani Pillay, the school’s child psychologist, she put together the manual for schools
writing the “Grief, Loss and Bereavement Policy for Schools”. Eric Annegarn’s company assisted in the
printing and publication of the manual.
Having the time, knowledge and connections with Hospice, Alison also arranged that Caren Marcus
undertake two workshops with teachers before the school term started covering other aspects of grief, loss
and bereavement in a school context. The workshops were entitled “Bereavment in Schools” and “Hot
Chocolate for the Teachers’ Soul”.
The Catholic School of Education also asked Alison and Sharmani to present a workshop for boys in
Catholic schools. This was a valuable experience and, judging by the feedback was worthwhile.
Alison is also closely involved with “Children of Fire” and St David’s has participated by the outreach
programme in community service with the organisation. Two boys Ruelle Jarvis and Joshua Jarvis are
currently being educated at St David’s with a bursary from the Foundation.
Some experiences have not been pleasant and Alison and her mother were hijacked at gunpoint whilst
waiting for the boys outside St David’s. The school was very supportive in helping them both to deal with
the trauma. Ten days later Judy Sexwale hit the headlines when she too was hijacked at gunpoint at the
same spot.
As Alison’s husband Robin has been a member and chairman of the board of governors and is the current
chairman of the Foundation, she is still very much involved with the school behind the scenes.
JLE September 2014

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Nicholas Robinson 1974

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  • 2013

Interview with Nicholas Robinson – 1974
Nick’s first memories of St David’s were rather daunting. He is English and his family moved from Sri Lanka
where he attended boarding school and was put into a class with boys 2 years older than he was.
Nick loved the sport and theatre but didn’t enjoy the academics and hated the work. He didn’t really get on
with authority. However he liked teachers like Br Aquinas, Br Mario and Mr Zacharawicz was really super.
He played the role of Thomas Cromwell ,the nemesis to Angelo Haggiyannis’s Thomas More in ”A Man for
all Seasons” put on at the Rosebank Convent. He had a wonderful few months rehearsing and presenting
that play, maybe the best time at Marist.
He played rugby and the final two years in the 2ndXV were wonderful fun.
Nick didn’t receive any medals or awards.
Nick attended two matric dances, first in standard 9 as a guest and matric with his girlfriend Claire who he
subsequently married and they are still together 40 years later.
Nick matriculated in 1974 and was in 10A. After school he went to tech for a year which was miserable,
then joined a small trading company in Johannesburg as a sort of “gofer” and spent some years travelling
around the world learning the trade. One thing led to another and he was offered the opportunity to work in
the UK in 1986 and he and his wife decided – why not? They went for 3 years and stayed rather longer. He
is currently a commodity trader. Their two sons were born in SA and the family returns to SA 3 – 4 times a
year including 3 weeks in Plett. The sons visit Cape Town and the bush with friends – Nick’s friends’
children and his children are really good pals spending christmas together.
He saw Angelo on a few occasions and was kept in the picture regarding his illness and subsequent death
in September 2013.
JE October 2013

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Aubrey Chalmers 1955

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  • 2015

Interview with Aubrey Chalmers – 1955
Aubrey’s grandfather attended MBC in Victoria, Australia in the late 1800’s and his father was a pupil at
MBC, Koch Street and his uncle was head boy of Marist Brothers Observatory in 1928.
Aubrey came to St David’s in 1949 in standard 4, his first teacher was Mrs Kempster and the headmaster
was Brother Edwin. Other brothers that he remembers who were at the school at the time were Bothers
Ernest, Benedict, Aquinas (head of Koch Street, “Bulldog”), Alban, Matthew, Pius, Br Gerald and Br Ralph
who taught Afrikaans was a brilliant rugby coach and was nicknamed “BeeGee”. Another brother who
taught Latin and Maths was nicknamed “Caesar”.
Br Edwin was a great disciplinarian but the boys loved and respected him – the atmosphere grew very quiet
when he was around and you could hear a pin drop. Aubrey respected Br Edwin and found him to be
straight forward. Although he was a sick man he had a good sense of humour and kept good control of the
school.
Aubrey remembered when he received six of the best after an incident in the dining room during grace with
the usual competition to gain possession of the milk jug from another boy. Aubrey ended up suddenly
holding the jug as the other boy released his hold and the jug’s contents shot over his shoulder and Br
Benedict ended up totally white.
On his first day the boys were up at 6.00am, shower, breakfast followed by line up and they finished school
work by 2.45pm, had tea went to the dorms and changed into sports gear.
There were 4 dormitories accommodating 44 boys with a brother responsible for each dorm. There were
boys from all over including Mozambique, Zambia, Rhodesia and Angola. On Friday nights matron Mrs
Knight randomly selected boys for a dose of castor oil
Once the boys were playing mini cricket in the dorm with Br Alban using a golf ball which involved breaking
a window and a hapless, rather studious boy who read a lot ended up taking the blame.
Aubrey was a swimmer, age group champion and was a member of Malvern Swimming Club. He swam for
the Transvaal after leaving school. In athletics, Aubrey was mainly a hurdler, represented the school and
was champion until U15. Aubrey also played rugby. As a boarder the boys did everything. Because of the
school’s low numbers the school only had A and B teams. The rugby team played Obs, Jeppe, KES, CBC
Boksburg, Springs and Germiston Boys High, Forest High and Parktown Boys. Obs and Inanda combined
to swim in the high school galas at Ellis park and always came second with KES being the top school.
There were few tours in those days and in 1955 SACS came up from Cape Town with the 1st XV rugby
team with boys from their 6th form – who were already shaving!
Specific events that Aubrey remembers are the day Marcellin Champagnat was beatified, a special
occasion and Aubrey still has the key ring commemorating the day; beating KES at rugby, the annual
triangular with Germiston Boys High, Springs Boys High and Marist Brothers Inanda.
Aubrey was in the school choir and participated in “HMS Pinafore” directed by Mr Drummond-Bell.
Aubrey’s class of 24 was the largest matric class and the school’s total numbers were around 200 boys. In
a “Spotlight on the matrics of ‘55”, Aubrey was elected the Best Storyteller.
Boys at school with him were Graeme Talbot, Errol Goeller, Andrew Oakes, Richard Rowan Irwin (who
gained the highest marks in law that Wits University had ever seen), Robin Manners, Brunton was head
boy and another boy Michael Finger was nicknamed “Tom Thumb”.
Aubrey was never unhappy and enjoyed his schooldays it was a lovely environment to be in with a good
upbringing. Aubrey was upset when Br Urban died and another sad incident was when a young pupil
Barrenbrugg died in a motor accident outside the school.
Aubrey wasn’t awarded colours mainly because of the polio outbreak and sporting events were cancelled.
Ian Kirley who was also awarded the provincial blazer was head boy for two years – in 1952 colours were
taken away and several boys were demoted. Br Edwin appointed Kirley in standard 9, there was a big
shake up in the school.
In his matric year Aubrey had decided to become a brother but during the course of the year he decided
against it and went instead to Wits University and studied for a Higher Diploma in Clinical pathology. He
was initially going to study pharmacy but after a stint working in a pharmacy during the holidays decided
that he would be a glorified shop assistant. He eventually became a clinical pathologist involved with
medical research and was the head technologist at the Blood Transfusion Service from 1963 to 1983
producing albumen. Later he was employed by Millipool, a US company until 2000 and spent 4 months in
Boston. Aubrey has worked in Wadeville for the past 11 years with Clinx Waste Management.
Aubrey’s wife is a nursing sister and they had two sons who were unable to attend St David’s as they lived
in Germiston at the time and there was no longer a boarding facility.
JLE February 2015

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Nicholas Ansell 2003

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  • 2014

Interview with Nicholas Ansell – 2003
Nick spent many years at St David’s from the age of three until he went to a pre-school run by a Mrs
Gibson. Nick’s mother Carol was a teacher at the school and therefore he spent a lot of time there. Robert
Gibson, Andrew Castle and Nick were all born within three months of each other, going to pre-school
together then Limberlost near Dunkeld West. They all started in grade 0 in 1991 and Ryan Norton, Walton
and Kirchhoffer joined them.
Nick and Andrew Castle went all the way through to matric together and became friendly with the sons of
other teachers, Mrs Marais and Mrs Roman. The grade 1 teachers were Rose, Ansell and Steernberg with
Carol Ansell moving up to teach grade 2 in 1993. Carol is currently a specialist teacher at St David’s
assisting the weakest and the strongest pupils in literacy. The office which was Nick’s nursery is now used
by the therapists.
The grade 2 teachers in 1993 were Ansell, Walton, Rose and Schaafsma. In standard 1 Mrs Sherratt was
Nick’s teacher, in standard 2, Mrs Sandy, in standard 3 Mrs Whitfield, in standard 4, Mrs Geldenhuys was
his home room teacher followed by Mr Thackwell in standard 5, Mrs Anderson was the Religious Education
teacher and Mrs Everson the English teacher. Mr Mitchley was the Science and sports master in senior
prep for standards 4 and 5 and interested Nick in the cricket scoring which he continued through high
school. Mrs Clover (Library) taught the boys how to find information and in those days it was using the old
catalogue card system. Mr Sloan the Geography teacher in standard 4 and 5 motivated Nick to enjoy and
understand Geography and a Mr Hayter. Mrs Bowles was strict and instilled discipline, she had a range of
books in her classroom and when one boy ran away he assumed the identity of one of the characters in a
book, that of an aborigine. Mrs Middlewick was the choir mistress and Nick and Andrew played the leading
roles in one of the school productions. Heather Joseph taught Art was like a second mother and was
always great fun.
Willy Castle was like a second father and Nick knew the ground staff well; George the tractor driver, Julius
and Phineas who all knew him from when he was a small boy. All the little boys used to hitch a ride on the
tractor and the school was their second home. Nick also remembers the smell of the stove, which was fired
by coal in the old kitchen. Nick used to sit in the kitchen when he was small and eat with Julius, Enoch and
Mabel.
Of the brothers, Br Anthony used to visit a couple of times a year. Brothers Vincent, Jude, Aidan and Mario
also came to the school regularly. Br Mario in fact employed Nick’s mother Carol. Father Brewer was down
to earth and strict and had a room upstairs near the chapel. He took the boys for holy communion and
coached soccer.
In the high school there was Mr Buys, Mr McMilllan who taught sport and Geography; Mr D Smith,
Geography, Mr and Mrs Andrews; Gary Norton who used to entertain the grade 1’s and 2’s with his snakes.
Paul Edey the headmaster was firm but insightful, teaching History when Nick was in standard 7 and
coached rugby. Nick enjoyed Rod Smith in standard 6 as his English teacher and Mrs Cameron, Mrs
Marais, Mrs Roman, Mrs Shumyn, Mr Burr, Accounting, Mr Craven, Zulu, athletics and rugby. The biggest
influence on Nick was held by the teachers who taught sport in standard 6.
Nick recalled the Glenmore camp in standard 6 and being a good time, rather like the army but great fun.
Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh was head boy and it was the first year that St David’s beat KES in rugby for many
years. Nick competed in the inter-high relay and College house still holds the record for the relay. Nick also
was awarded a team award for his cricket scoring and in standard 5 achieved an honours award.
Nick remembers his matric valediction, the grade 0 party coming to big school, first communion, the
Glenmore Camp, the death of James Garden’s brother and being upset when Mr Royce left.
Nick was hugely disappointed when he was not elected a prefect and didn’t achieve 1st Team rugby as he
fractured his spine and took up canoeing. He was however awarded a Champagnat medal. It was his first
lesson in life to learn that things don’t just get handed to you, and he learnt to be humble.
After matriculating, Nick studied at Wits University for a Bsc Physics and Mathematics and then changed to
a BSc Urban Planning in 2005 and graduated in 2008 with honours. During 2009, 2010, 2011 Nick worked
6 month shifts in the USA in state summer camps and eventually was promoted to programme director in
2011 to 2013 (2012 – 2013 full time)but had to return to South Africa when his visa expired.
He is currently working for Raven Town Planners and intends to study further for a masters in
environmental and sustainable cities next year.
JLE November 2014

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Bryce Wray 2005

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  • 2014

Interview with Bryce Wray – 2005
Bryce came to St David’s in grade 8. Bryce was formerly a pupil at King Edwards School being the third
generation of his family who attended KES and the school pavilion is named after Bryce’s uncle. Bryce
elected to attend St David’s for high school as he had already befriended Justin Rodrigues and Sibelo
Sithebe at junior city council. Also Paul Edey was the headmaster who had taught Bryce’s uncle and other
family members at KES and was highly regarded.
On his first day Bryce was fortunate, already knowing many of the St David’s boys from playing primary
school sport and James Morrison also accompanied him from KES. In spite of this Bryce was nervous and
concerned about the change from a government to a private school. His first camp was at Glenmore and he
recalls Mr Rod Smith making the boys stand outside in the rain.
Bryce was a member of The Bishop’s with Simon Fry as his housemaster. Bryce regarded him as a great
housemaster and History teacher who developed his passion for the subject. He recalls that Mrs Van der
Merwe was particularly good as his English teacher in matric and Mrs Kennedy for Maths. He also held
Alex Gitlin in high esteem through his contact with him playing hockey and still keeps in touch with him.
Bryce also coached 1st team hockey after leaving school.
Bryce always wanted to play hockey and initially Mr MacMillan was more pro rugby than hockey but this did
not stop Bryce playing hockey in grade 8 without having to play rugby. Bryce put a lot of time into his
hockey more so than academics. At that time pupils did not need to get such high matric marks to study law
at university although that is no longer the case. He played provincial hockey U18 until 2010 and was in the
Gauteng U21 side from 2006 to 2008 and was in the men’s Gauteng hockey team from 2009 until 2010.
Unfortunately currently pressure of work does not allow him to be as involved.
Bryce was fortunate to go on the hockey tour to Malaysia which was a great experience travelling with other
boys and experiencing a different culture. Bryce still plays hockey for Old Eds in the premier league with
Mark de Jager.
Bryce also participated in the school plays and public speaking and in inter-house debating in grade 8 and
9 and in grade 10 and 11 was involved with the SMILE programme.
Bryce decided from grade 8 that he wanted to become a lawyer. He believed the judiciary to be
independent and wanted to be part of such a legal system which is formulated on Roman Dutch law and
now influenced by the constitution. It intrigued him the fact that law ultimately influences everything.
Bryce received honours for hockey, was vice-captain of 1st team hockey and was a house prefect.
After he matriculated , Bryce attended..................................................University for a degree.
Bryce worked for his articles in 2010 until the end of 2011 with Hogan Lovells and then was retained as an
associate. He resigned in 2012 to pursue an opportunity to work in the commercial field. However he
decided that it wasn’t for him and Hogan Lovells gladly took him back. He now specialises in commercial
litigation for the construction industry and administrative law.
For Bryce the camaraderie with his grade was great and the loyalty they had for each other. He still meets
up with 8 friends from his year once a month and they are all very proud to be St David’s boys.
JLE September 2014

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Michael Marsay 1999

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  • 2014

Interview with Michael Marsay – 1999
Michael came to St David’s in 1987, grade 0. Mrs Walton was his first teacher and the classroom was
opposite the stairs to the school chapel. Mrs Scaafsma, a dragon taught him in grade 2; Mr Spence in
standard 1; Mrs Hurley in standard 2; Mrs Bowles in standard 3 and Greg Royce was the headmaster of
the prep school.
Michael enjoyed the “Bush Pig Buddies Camp” in grade 2 and found it quite exciting. He loved the sport,
was in the swimming team, and played 1st team cricket for one season and soccer. He eventually found
swimming to be more of an attraction. Michael enjoyed the soccer clinics which Willy Castle organised
during the school holidays to give the boys something to do.
Father Brewer was a good influence whilst Michael was in the prep school, and guided him through to his
first communion. He always backed the boys and sadly died in 1999.
Going into the high school with Paul Edey as the headmaster, a dynamic leader he was a breath of fresh
air. Paul instilled a sense of pride back into the school.
Sport continued to play a big role in Michael’s life and he was 1st team hockey captain and 1st team athletics
captain. Malcolm Williams joined the staff as deputy head in 1997 and turned hockey around. It became a
sport which you had an option to take and by Michael’s matric year, hockey was doing better than rugby.
He felt t was good to be part of something growing like that. Initially there were only two teams but by the
time Michael matriculated all age groups were involved. According to his brother Chris (2003), Michael and
Grant Brennan made hockey cool, it lost its stigma, the culture changed and hockey became more
acceptable as a sport. There weren’t many camps but Michael travelled to Margate in Natal for an athletics
camp which was organised by Mr Burr in the school holidays.
Michael was selected for the U18 Gauteng hockey, was appointed a prefect and house captain of The
Bishops in his matric year and was awarded a trophy as hockey player of the year.
Michael was not an academic and didn’t have the study culture but matriculated with 4 C’s and 2 D’s and
went on to study for a BComm Accounts at RAU University. He then worked for TFMC as a clerk in the
plant hire division and worked his way up to the position of general manager. He then took a sabbatical of 6
months before joining his father in his business, Marsay Equipment in 2006.
Michael is a member of MOBS, is married to Alexandra (nee Spooner) and has a daughter who plans to
attend De La Salle College.
JLE March 2014

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Eric Annegarn, 1998 - 2004, Board of Governors

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  • 2015

Interview with Eric Annegaarn – board Member 1998 – 2004
Eric, whose son Bjorn was a pupil at St David’s and matriculated in 2002, was a member of the board of
governors from 1998 and was elected chairman for 2003 and 2004, taking over from Tony Reilly.
Eric used to question “Why do so many non-Catholic parents wish to enrol their sons at St David’s, a
Catholic school?” which gained a lot of momentum with the “Beyond Our Gates” project and motivated Rick
Wilson to encourage Eric to join the board. When Eric resigned from the board, Tony Chappell took over
the reins.
Eric’s priority was to speed up the process and to get rid of some of the formalities. He aimed to revitalise
the board which he felt had become moribund. The board got tied up with all sorts of issues including ethics
and overseas tours. Eric set up committees to which much of this work was delegated and the board could
then make decisions without long discussions and debate late into the night. Janet Seeland and Father
Michael were members of the committee debating the issue of school tours, the cost to the individual,
fundraising activities, levies on school fees etc.
Projects such as the astro turf and the chapel took ages. Issues such as to whether the school was
regarded as a charitable institution and, in that case were donations tax free? The board also had to report
to the IEB, the government’s Department of Education and to Rome and now to the Marist Schools Council.
The board had to continue a relationship with the Marist Brothers in Rome and various important issues
came up such as who owned the school property and where were the Title Deeds?
Eric had a good relationship with Paul Edey who was not an administrator. When Paul was made executive
headmaster Malcolm Williams was appointed Headmaster.
Eric worked at the school with Paul Edey four days a week from 4.00 until 8.00pm with Rob Smith heading
the development committee.
The planning for the Foundation which took an enormous amount of time was during Eric’s tenure as
chairman of the board and the re-naming of the school which also involved a lot of time and debate.
JLE March 2015

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Emma Sithole 1982 - 2015 Staff

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  • 2014

Interview with Emma Sithole – Staff – 1982 to date
At the age of 28, Emma joined the support staff of St David’s as Head Cleaner. She was interviewed by
Willem Van Der Merwe and reported to him. She also used to cook for the brothers when Richard or
Mjomle were away.
In those days the committee room was the brothers dining room and the staff workroom was the kitchen
and pantry. The original walk in fridge is still in existence in the tuck shop kitchen. The tuck shop was the
mothers’ kitchen and catering equipment was stored there. The current administration offices were
originally the brothers’ chapel, kitchen and dining room.
The brothers’ lunch usually consisted of soup followed by fruit. Later when Julius was away Emma would
prepare sandwiches for the brothers and staff.
Emma didn’t live on the school premises as she had six children to care for and lived in Alexandra
Township. Life was not easy for her bringing up her children during difficult and different times.
In 1991 Emma took over from Julius, cleaning the tuck shop, helping the mothers and working together with
Enoch Mhlongo. Mrs Van Guilleaume ran the tuck shop and the ladies entertainment committee with Victor
Shibambu joining the staff later.
Over the years Emma saw a lot of changes with Shelly Watson coming in then Jon Jon Dry. The tuck shop
now not only caters for the staff everyday and for individual functions but also provides meals on a daily
basis for some of the boys. Emma still makes the sandwiches and some salads for the staff. She misses
Shelly who retired last year and regarded her as a friend and mentor who took care of her.
When Emma retires she would very much like to help and do the cooking for an orphanage near her home
looking after the children with no parents and some that have aids.
Emma retired in 2015
JLE 2014

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Temba Bavuma 2007

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  • 2015

Interview with Temba Bavuma – 2007
Temba moved from Cape Town to Johannesburg with his parents in 2003 and first went to Fourways High
School joining St David’s in grade 10 when he was awarded a sports scholarship to play cricket. He was
spotted by Shane Gaffney and Roger Budd at a regional U15 cricket week.
At first he found the school rather intimidating and didn’t know quite what to expect as a co-ed school is run
somewhat differently. He made friends easily especially with his sporting background being involved with
rugby, soccer, cricket and cross-country.
Temba was awarded colours for soccer and cricket but didn’t play in an open year. He played for the A or
1st team in all the sports in which he participated and at one time soccer was his first love before cricket. He
struggled in the first few years but represented Gauteng U19 cricket. Initially he was going to study at UCT
having gained 3 distinctions in matric but he stayed on at St David’s and completed a post-matric year
which qualified him to play for SA Schools. It was a very tough year having to come back to school in
uniform and repeating matric subjects again. However, it did make him mentally stronger as an individual
and from a cricketing point of view.
Temba enjoyed the brotherhood at the school with a tight relationship amongst the guys especially in rugby
and cricket.
Temba did struggle with all the discipline and school regulations and those parameters but, with hindsight
he now appreciates it. He found all the teachers to be different and he could relate to them. Mr Ireland
didn’t show much emotion presenting a tough facade but Temba enjoyed him. Mrs Deetlefs had a vibrant
nature and always engaged with the students and Ms Cambitzis tried to break the student, teacher barrier.
Temba feels he owes a lot to Shane Gaffney who gave him the opportunity to succeed and contributed
greatly to enable Temba to get to where he finds himself now. Shane was very strict but tried to get the
best out of him and the other boys.Temba also had a good relationship with Amarinda Binder who helped
him a lot.
One unfortunate incident which stands took place during his grade 11 year when Sello M........... lost his
soccer boots and assumed that Temba had them. Sello took Temba’s school and cricket bag in revenge
which meant that Temba couldn’t do his homework or attend cricket training. This was a disaster for
Temba.
Temba went on school tours to Maritzburg and was involved in the St Albans tournament for cricket and
with soccer went to Kloof High and Durban, and played rugby in Bloemfontein at Gray’s College and St
Peter’s.Temba remembers that before his matric dance he was playing cricket all day and wondered if he
would ever make it.
The friendships he made at school he will always cherish and he remembers in particular Sabelo Sithebe,
head boy whom everyone respected, he was inspiring.
Temba matriculated in 2007 and 2008 with Accounting, Biology, Zulu, English, Business Economics and
Mathematics. He admits that his focus was not on marks but on cricket and was fortunate to play SA
Schools and for the SA U19 team, memories which he will cherish forever.
Temba appreciated the support he was given by being at St David’s, the way the school was run with its
systems and structure which enabled him to become the person he is today. It shaped him and encouraged
him. The values and principles the school instilled in him whilst he was there. The biggest thing wasn’t
about academics but how to be a man amongst other men. Comfortare Esto Vir: Take courage and be a
man.
In 2009 Temba enrolled at University of Johannesburg to study for BComm Finance. He finished the first
year but dropped out in the second due to his cricket commitments, enrolled at Unisa and finished his
degree in June 2014. He found it difficult to study and play sport. It was hard to find the energy after a
tough days training to apply himself to his studies. At the moment he is focused on his cricketing career and
a coaching facility at St David’s which he hopes will start at the end of March. He will be touring India and
Bangladesh during the winter.
Temba is now receiving information from MOBS and hopes to get more involved in future.
JLE February 2015

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with Tim Marneweck. School Council 1970 - 1976; Board of Governors 1977 - 1983

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000952
  • Stuk
  • 2015

Interview with Tim Marneweck
Tim had two sons at St David’s in the 70’s, Peter John and Paul.
Peter John was originally a sportsman on leaving school. He was a good cricketer, swimmer and rugby
player and was the first MOB to play professional cricket. He went into the army for the first 5 years then
became a provincial cricketer playing for the Transvaal cricket union in the 1980’s. After working in a sport
shop, then for McCullough and Bothwell, he eventually joined Liberty Life in 2000 and now has his own
franchise.
Paul, the younger son left school in the early 1980’s when Mr Murphy was headmaster. He went into the
army and was trained in guidance missiles and became a lecturer in the subject. He then went to work for
First National Bank for 19 years and is now sales manager for Old Mutual in the financial services
department.
Tim was on the St David’s school council (this was initially formed as an advisory council in 1970) until
1976 and then on the board of governors until 1983 with Kevin Brewer joining the Board in 1984. Tim
continued to work with the brothers behind the scenes and was a member of the Diocesan committee and
Bishop’s committee for close on 40 years, knew Br Jude well and thought of him as a “Walking Saint”.
There was a lot of controversy over the sale of the land on which the “Inandas” now stand. The land and
property belonged to the brothers and Tim is bound not to discuss this but acknowledges that the brothers
were satisfied with the result and Tim was given a certified document from the Marist Brothers of South
Africa Province in gratitude of generous devotedness towards the interests of the brothers. He took a lot of
flack and had promised not to talk about it at the time. He was also presented with a relic of Marcellin
Champagnat, something very special
At the time of the sale there was a lot of politics and tax involved. The brothers couldn’t be seen to be
dealing in property and the brothers did get a share of the profits as the monies came in.
Other MOBS that Tim mentioned were John Mills and said it was amazing what he did for the Diocese,
turning it around and getting all the churches to play their part. Others involved in this were Charles
Rowlinson and David Lawrence.
JLE May 2015

Egenrieder, Julie

Interview with David Baker 1967

  • ZA ZAR STDS 202000758
  • Stuk
  • 2015

Interview with David Baker – 1967 Standard 8
David came to St David’s in 1956 from the Loretta Convent in Pretoria. His father worked for Greatermans
and was transferred to Johannesburg. David is a Catholic and was one of 5 children.
As a grade 2 pupil the school appeared to David to be very grand, holy and very orderly. Br Anthony took
over as headmaster in 1960.
David’s family lived in Rivonia and his father dropped him off in the morning together with his bicycle which
he rode home in the late afternoon. David was predominantly interested in the sport and couldn’t wait to get
out onto the sports field every day. He enjoyed athletics and rugby most of all and remembers being told of
the assassination of Hendrik Verwoerd during rugby practice. (6 September 1966). David was not
academically the best student.
The sports fields were where the swimming pool and the prep playing fields are now until the farm
Zyferfontein was purchased and new fields were laid out. One of the teachers had a Pekenese dog which
she brought into class where it sat on her lap.
There were no school camps in those days but Champagnat day was celebrated. There was a chapel
upstairs, David was a member of the school choir and on one occasion, together with another boy, had to
sing a solo at the big cathedral in town.
He has memories of the brothers in their cassocks carrying an air of Catholicism and religion with them
outnumbering the teachers and David remembered the soft and serene matron Mrs Buckley-Jones with
affection. David has fond memories of his schooldays at St David’s, was sad to move and regarded his
upbringing at a school of the calibre of St David’s very highly.
After matriculating, David went to Simonstown, joining the navy for a year where he received hi s military
training. He then joined Nestle as a trainee representative and worked his way up the sales ladder, studied
marketing and earned his diploma from the Institute of Marketing Management. He then moved on to the
head office and became product manager for Milo, Nescafe, Hot Chocolate and core brands for Nestle SA
working there for 10 years. In the meantime, his father who was running a printing business, Multiprint
Studio, asked him to join him and, on the third occasion David accepted. Coming from Nestle David had a
superb grounding for starting out on his own but initially disliked his new role in downtown Doornfontein, a
far cry from his plush corporate offices in Randburg.
However, in the past 35 years the company has developed into one of the best printings companies in
South Africa winning 15 Sappi Printer of the Year Awards including the double gold, achievement award
covering the whole of Africa. It has evolved into a wonderful journey culminating in winning the “Oscar”
equivalent award in the printing industry.
David is married with two daughters and 5 grandchildren. He said that one didn’t realise until much later
how much grounding one was given at a wonderful institution like St David’s and he is very grateful for the
time spent at both St David’s and Nestle.
JLE May 2015

Egenrieder, Julie

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