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Interview with Robert Berti - 1976
Rob was originally a pupil at Observatory having emigrated from Italy with his family in August 1972 at the
age of 14. He was initially a boarder in standard 6 but, when the family was more established and had a
home in Bryanston, he and his brother came to St David’s as day boys, Rob into standard 7 and his brother
into standard 6 . Rob believes that he learnt a lot of English whilst in boarding 24\7 with boys from many
other countries such as the Congo, Zambia and Angola.
Rob recalls that Brother Anthony was the headmaster until he left in 1975 and Brother Timothy “Tin Man”
took over. Br Anthony was a legend and when he snapped his fingers you jumped!
Rob’s first impression of St David’s was that he felt quite comfortable and didn’t have to struggle. However,
it was not easy dealing with a new language but after about 6 months Rob says he began to think in
English. He studied Italian in standard 7, 8 and 9 but gave it up in matric although he did write it as one of
his subjects.
Rob participated in sport playing rugby, athletics and tennis. He had never played rugby before but the
coach put him in the back line telling him he would learn quickly. Rob was quick on his feet which was an
advantage.
Athletics was his main love the 100m, 200m, 100m Hurdles and 400m relay. Those were the days when
athletics was big with the inter-catholic schools and against schools such as Parktown Boys, KES and St
Stithians. Rob really enjoyed athletics and remembers a time when hundreds of boys were competing at
the Wanderers in a stadium that no longer exists. Athletics was compulsory when it came to inter-house
competition.
Rob played rugby 2nd team and was promoted to the 1st team in standard 8. He was awarded an honours
blazer for tennis. He has memories of playing in the U15 rugby team against St Stithians when a boy from
the opposing team kicked him in the face and concussed him. He came around swearing, and then only
realised that Br Anthony was standing over him. Br Anthony told him to “take it easy”. On another occasion
he was running the 400m against KES, a very competitive school. He was neck and neck with a boy from
KES who broke just before the finishing line with Rob then in first place. It was a highlight in Rob’s athletic
career. A similar thing happened during the 100m hurdles in an inter-Catholic athletics meeting when a boy
from CBC hit the last hurdle giving Rob the lead. Another major event was that In Rob’s matric year St
David’s beat KES’s water polo team.
Academically Rob never really struggled and was awarded colours for academics. Biology was his best
subject which he believes he owes to Mr Carew who had a different teaching approach and got the best out
of the boys. Rob just got pipped for the Biology prize. Rob auditioned for “The Merchant of Venice” and
remembers Mrs Eliott just laughing,he was not included in the play.
There were no camps in those days but Bill Carew organised trips with about 12 boys to Naboomspruit
when they would go into the bush. Teachers he remembers well are Bill Carew, Mr Lipschitz – Maths, and
Mr Maritz – Geography who used to wear steel tips on his shoes and didn’t take any nonsense from
anyone; Br Mario – Science, a nice guy; Mrs Elliott – English, who was a legend in her own right with a
broad Scottish accent like Br Anthony.
Rob was also awarded colours for merit and was a member of College house.
After matriculating Rob went to Wits University to study engineering. He survived one year before being
kicked out. He then went on to the Technicon where worked for his Higher National Diploma in
Engineering. He felt that the tech was more hands on in its approach with a wide syllabus and proved to be
more practical. He has been in engineering for the past 30 years and is involved with the family business,
his father having bought the business in 1976 and Rob joined in 1983. He wasn’t required to do army
service as he was an Italian citizen but he did volunteer for the air force and was a police reservist for 10
years.
Rob has had 3 sons educated at St David’s, Nicolas (2005) and Michael (2007) with the last, Matthew
writing his matric this year. He also has nephews in Grade 0 and 00 and hopes his family will continue to be
connected with St David’s in the future. He is a member of MOBS and attends most of the rugby matches
including the recent notable math against St John’s when the boys asked him to please contribute with his
usual bellows!
JLE September 2014