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Interview with Malcolm Williams – Staff 1997 – 2013
Malcolm joined the staff of St David’s as deputy headmaster in July 1997 whilst Paul Edey, the headmaster
was on a pilgrimage. Malcolm came from Sandown High School where he was deputy headmaster having
also taught at King Edward VII High School for a number of years. Malcolm was St David’s 12th
headmaster and the second longest serving head after Br Anthony.
When Malcolm arrived, the sense of family and positive rapport between pupils and staff was very evident.
There was a strong focus on ethos and values which permeated the school. However the school had none
of the buildings it enjoys today. There was no hall, no pavilion, no media Centre, no astro and no Br
Anthony wing. The construction of the hall and 6 classrooms began in 1998. In 1997 there were 350 pupils
enrolled in the high school and in 2103, 563. The past four years has seen increased enrolment every year
averaging 28 pupils per class. St David’s has become the school of choice in Johannesburg with 90% of
the pupils coming through from the prep school. The school is also known as one of the top academic
schools in the country and has been acknowledged as one of the main feeder schools to Wits University by
vice chancellor, Adam Habib.
In 2002 Malcolm was appointed headmaster and was determined to change the profile of the school with
pupil leadership, celebrating individual talents, creating strength in academics, sport and cultural activities.
He did this moving the school forward in all areas with the firm resolve to achieve excellence without
compromising the core values and Marist ethos of the school.
Both Paul Edey, in his new role of executive head and Malcolm were involved with professional bodies
serving in various roles on ISASA , SAHISA and CASPAat provincial and national levels . Mike Greeff
continues the school’s involvement in Catholic schools’ organisations, MSC etc.
Malcolm is a keen sportsman and hockey player and did much to encourage development of the sport at St
David’s serving as coach and convener and member of the Executive of USSASA boy’s hockey. In fact, in
2001 St David’s hockey moved into section A of Aitken Trophy with the school now one of the strongest
nationally in this area. In 2003 St David’s rugby team beat KES and 1st cricket won the Johnny Waite
Knockout.
There has been tremendous growth in Music and Drama from almost nothing to the vibrant parts of the
school they now are, as well as being academic subjects, to add to the successes in debating and public
speaking. Academic records and excellence were sustained having pupils in the top 50 candidates for
matric since being incorporated into the IEB.
Key aspects Malcolm enjoyed seeing become part of the school include: the Marist principle of ‘Presence’,
with boys and staff supported in all areas of school life; Academic excellence, which has been sustained
over time and is measured by a range of outside benchmarks including the IEB examinations; the range of
academic enrichment initiatives being undertaken, including participation in IEB pilot projects; the growth
and development of a professional staff of high quality; a sports programme which enables the school and
the boys to achieve success at provincial and national level, and also provides opportunities for all; a highperforming,
broad-based, dynamic, and diverse cultural programme; increased pupil leadership
opportunities and mechanisms for recognition, particularly in the matric leadership group; structures
established to increase the level of involvement in outreach and partnership activities; the continued
strength of the Staff Sponsorship Fund; the expansion of the school’s pastoral care structures and the
house system; the excellent facilities, the most recent and visible of these being the Brother Anthony Wing;
the ‘Whole School Day’ programme; the effective partnerships with a number of non-government
organisations and the St David’s Foundation.
Malcolm thoroughly enjoyed his years at St David’s Marist Inanda but it was not a simple matter to leave
such a fine school,with its special Marist ethos. He was enriched by working with a talented, loyal and
energised staff who give everything for the benefit of the boys in their care, for each other, and for the
school. Many of them are good friends as well as colleagues. Malcolm enjoyed developing a strong rapport
with parents over the years, who so often go the extra mile for the school. The boys themselves always
inspired him with their huge commitment, their passion for their school and their tremendous sense of
camaraderie, which is something special.
Malcolm said it had been a privilege to be part of the growth of the high school, and the many innovations
which have been evident in this growth. St David’s truly offers a holistic education where every boy is able
to develop his talents. The school now has a strong national footprint across all areas of school life and the
boys and staffs are achieving much success.
Malcolm also believed that a measure of a school is how its pupils progress once they leave school. A most
pleasing aspect being the continued success of St David’s old boys at tertiary level and beyond. They have
excelled, and the old boys are clearly able to hold their own in their chosen spheres of life. Malcolm also
found it most gratifying in recent years to see the growth and energy present in the old boys’ association,
as well as the number of old boys who have joined the teaching profession over the past thirteen years.
Malcom firmly believed that the infrastructure at St David’s is well established and has an extremely
strong, professional and committed academic, administrative and support staff which he enjoyed being part
of and had no doubt that the school would continue to go from strength to strength in the years ahead.
JLE December 2013

Interview with Mark Forssman – 1979
Mark was the first of the Forssman family to attend St David’s followed by his brother Bobby –
1980; Andrew – 1983 and cousins Billy -1987 (head boy); Jason – 1989 (deputy head boy);
Dale - (deputy head boy); Jordan -1996 – (head boy); Mark’s sons Tim – 2004 and Chris –

2006. Currently pupils at the school are Adrian, Andrew’s son; Blake cousin’s son; Aidan, Billy’s
      son and then Jason’s son.
      Mark started in grade 1 in 1968, although he doesn’t remember his first day he certainly
      remembers his brother’s as he relieved himself during line up! Mark said they had been brought
      up running free, no shoes and playing on the family plot and he does recall that wearing shoes
      was a bit of a problem to begin with.
      Mark remembers teachers, such as Mrs Napier; standard 2, Mrs Schaafsma; Mrs Kempster and
      Mrs Kenezovitch who played the organ at his wedding. During his time there were still brothers
      at the school, Br Anthony, Br Timothy, Br Bosco (Mario), Br Bernard, Br Aidan, Br Plesters who
      was involved with the gardens. Trudy Elliott was a fantastic teacher and quite a character; Mrs
      Klaasens – Afrikaans; Mr Neft; Mrs Lipschitz – Maths and water polo coach now living in
      Australia; Sally Saunderson; William Smith – Science; Mr Vahey- Geography and Mr Lobo who
      was Spanish. Mark recalled Peter Springer, Peter Habertson, a sports teacher who for some
      reason disliked Mark, made life difficult for him and ensured that he wasn’t included in the 1st
      team rugby photo even though he had played for the team on 5 occasions and Peter Swanson
      who was an international Irish rugby player and the rugby coach.
      Mark remembers when he was in junior school that he and some friends were tormenting a boy
      near the road that ran between the junior and high schools. Br Anthony spotted them and called
      them into his office. They shuffled in and Br Anthony, looking enormous stood there with his big
      cane which he flexed against a chair giving them stern looks, they were terrified but he
      eventually told them to get out and never to tease any other boys again.
      In the junior school Mark was involved with swimming, athletics, soccer and tennis and standard
      5, U13 rugby. He won the junior school tennis championships but never played again after that.
      The boys were more or less forced to participate in cross country and they used to try all sorts
      to get out of it! In the high school he played rugby, water polo, swam and was the B team
      swimming captain and captain of the 2nd rugby team. He was awarded a scroll for water polo,
      studies, merit and became a prefect. With 3 scrolls one was awarded an honours blazer of
      which he was very proud.
      Mark recalls boys hiding in the auditorium under the chairs and that going to sport events in the
      old school bus was great fun. Disco’s were held in the basement room next to the tuck shop to
      raise funds for the matric dance. These often ended up in chaos. Mark was a bit of a renegade
      as his father used to organise a bus for him and his friends, Mark would set up a shebeen and
      bought the booze from the compound.
      Culturally there wasn’t much happening, no camps or anything special like that at the time.
      The matric dance was held in the dining room with an Al Capone, gangster theme. The standard
      8’s were the waiters. The standard 9’s decorated the room and were allowed to join in. Mark
      remembers that the after party was held at Deon De Gouveia’s house which was across the
      road from the school.
      Academically Mark was average but a consistent student and achieved 6 C’s for matric. After
      leaving St David’s he studied at Wits University but had a bad motorcycle accident on the first
      day, missed three months and subsequently pulled out after the second three months. He
      continued the second year but again pulled out, went into the army and eventually signed up on
      the permanent force and became an air traffic controller from 1982 – 1987. Through various
      circumstances he became involved in building and construction and now has his own company.
      Many boys in Mark’s time left the country and others including a good friend who died fighting
      on the border. It was a strange time which affected everybody. Things started to come right in
      the mid- 80’s and Tim was born in 1986.
      Mark organised an Argus ride in memory of Justin Bessler – the JB Express consisting of 120
      cyclists raised R265 000 for CHOC. It was Justin’s dream to beat cancer and to ride the Argus
      and raise funds for CHOC.
      JLE April 2012

Interview with Mark Reeves – 1983
Mark began his school career at St David’s in 1973, starting in standard 1, after moving from
Sandown Primary which was located where Sandton City now stands. At the age of 5, he
remembers being the swimming team mascot for College house at the inter-house gala,
dressed as a sword bearing sheik. The aftercare is now situated where this swimming pool once
was located.
He has fond memories of Miss Joseph, Miss Jamieson (Ansell), Mrs Anderson, Mrs Scaafsma
and Mrs Napier, all of whom taught him in junior school. Mrs Kempster was headmistress and
had a crooked index finger, causing confusion as to who she was actually pointing at, while you
were being scolded.
The brothers were still very active in teaching and coaching sport at this time. Mark remembers
being taught at some stage of his senior years by Brother’s Timothy, Bernard, Richard,
Christopher and Anthony. Senior school was where you gained your foundation and became
part of the Marist family.
Memorable advice came from Br Anthony when he said “Do not feel guilty for your privileged
lives, because if it wasn’t for compassionate and generous privileged people the poor would
have nothing”.
Strong teachers like Brother Anthony, Mr Collier, Mr Boswell, Mrs Elliot and Mr McFadden,
made a huge impact on those senior school years. Mark remembers Mr Collier, a remarkable
teacher and coach, who was very religious and well respected by all the boys, especially for his
caring attitude to all. He took them on retreat to Kuruman where Br Anthony and Br Christopher
hosted the boys during school holidays.
During the last two years of Mark’s schooling career at St David’s he had 3 Headmasters, Mr
Murphy, Br Anthony and Mr Frielick. Mr Murphy was a tower of a man and his wrestling career
was the best kept secret amongst the boys. Mark recalls lifting Mr Murphy above his head at
rugby trials in standard 9 and was rewarded with a place in the 1st rugby team for his effort. Tim
Marnewick was chairman of the school board of governors and a strong supporter of the Marist
community.
Classmates who he remembers well are Peter Wharton-Hood, an intellectual genius, who often
assisted the teachers after proving them wrong and who also was a talented sportsman.
Duncan Senior, who mirrored these attributes. Andrew Forsmann, a great all rounder, and the
long line of Forsmann’s who attended St David’s and who owned Kyalami Ranch, a memorable
recreational facility for them all.
He remembers Karl Ortel, who during his matric year at St. David’s fought 20 fights in 21 days
to win the Golden Gloves World Boxing Tournament. Corado Annicello who achieved Springbok
colours in judo. Kamsisi Nyirenda, the Malawian ambassador’s son, who in the black & white
class photo, due to his dark complexion, blended into the background with only his white teeth,
the white of his eye’s and collar visible. Solly Maponya,who had a BMW in standard 6 and who
was a great driver, especially to parties. Other good friends who are now very successful
businessmen include Sven Retzlaff and Roy Perlman, property developers, Mark Atier a cellular
industry entrepreneur, Mark Rosewitz a top legal adviser and Jason Askew, who has become a
famous Anglo-Boer war artist. “There are so many success stories of individual classmates from
his year and he is very proud to have been associated with them all”..
Mark was honoured to have been elected as head prefect in 1983. He was captain of the school
swimming and water polo teams, and was captain of College House. He was awarded colours
for rugby, swimming and water polo, and received a merit scroll for leadership. He played 1st
team rugby and was a member of the athletics team, for field events, but banned from hurdles
for breaking multiple crossbars! He also received an academic scroll and a distinction for History
in matric
After leaving St David’s Mark studied a BA in Education and together with his brother, Alan, also
head prefect of St. David’s in 1977, started a well known photographic business. They have had
the good fortune of working together for over 33 years and are now involved in multiple building
hardware and paint retail outlets.
Mark served St. David’s on the board of governors, was chairman of the development
committee and an active member of the PTA. He still serves as a member of the old boys
committee. Mark is married to Carol-Anne and has a son Stephen and daughter Kirsty.
JLE May 2016

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

Interview with Mathew Schneider – 2002
Matthew came to St David’s from Grayston Preparatory in 2002 into grade 8. He was the first generation of
the Schneider family at St David’s.
He remembers lining up in the quad next to the smelly ablution block, the matrics seemed huge and he
knew only two other boys from Grayston. He knew no one in his class and his introduction to a boy’s school
was a fight which broke out between two boys during an English lesson.
Matthew went to the Grade 8 camp to Babanangu. It was an overnight trip with the boys sleeping on the
bus, some in the luggage racks and some on the floor.
Matthew enjoyed the sport immensely and was a member of College house with Yvette Snyman as
housemaster. In grade 8 and 9 he played cricket, rugby and athletics. At the end of grade 9 he moved from
cricket to water polo and was a member of the team up until matric. He was a member of 1st team rugby, A
team athletics, A team swimming and 1st team water polo. The U15 rugby team did really well and Matthew
recalled the first year that St David’s was invited to participate in the 10 Schools Gala which was held at
Wits University. He remembers the early morning training the friendship and camaraderie.
Academically Matthew was average as he was too busy on the sports field and didn’t enjoy studying. He
was awarded an honours blazer for leadership, sport and merit and was selected to be a prefect.
The teachers who really stood out were Phil Andrew, Yvette Snyman, Dianne Webb, Teresa Voorendyk,
Brad Ireland and Marius Buys.
Of all the camps that Matthew participated in the grade 11 camp at the “Spirit of Adventure Camp” in the
Magaliesburg was the most memorable. They were the first St David’s boys to go there and it has become
a regular camp ever since.
Matthew made some really good friends who he still sees on a regular basis, they are really deep seated
friendships.
Matthew is passionate about St David’s and loves coaching. He enjoyed his high school career and thought
that Paul Edey was a great headmaster.
After matriculating, Matthew went to UJ and studied for a BComm Sports Management. He continued to
play rugby for Pirates for another 5 -6 years which he thoroughly enjoyed.
After graduating he went into sales for 2-3 years which he didn’t enjoy. He contacted Shane Gaffney and
started his internship at St David’s in 2010 studying for 2 years through Unisa for his post graduate
certificate in Education. He loves teaching and is happy at St David’s. He currently teaches Accountancy to
grades 8 and 9 and Business Studies to Grades 10 – 12. His mentors were Shane Gaffney, Alan Redfern
and Alex Gitlin all who have moved on to become deputy headmasters elsewhere.
Matthew is a member of MOBS and plays in their water polo team.
JLE February 2014

Interview with Mike Eilertsen – 2000
Coming from Rosebank Primary, Mike joined St David’s in 1996 when Paul Edey was
headmaster. He recalled that on the first day standard 6 underwent an induction on the
basketball courts and bullying was the big topic for the day and great emphasis was placed on
the boys being part of the Marist family. Rod Smith had been the victim of bullying in his youth
and was therefore strongly against it.
The teachers he remembers in particular are Mrs Snyman, Mr Fry, Mr McMillan, Mrs Cameron,
Paul Edey and Rod Smith. Debbie Cameron was impressive and once flicked and caught her
high heeled shoe before throwing it across the class when the boys were being particularly
unruly. Mr Cameron had an elastic ball which grew and grew as he confiscated rubber bands
from the boys. Mr McMillan used to squash paper and throw it at the boys, on one occasion
Mike caught it and threw it straight back. “Mac” used to hit the boys with his hand with what was
called a “Pucker”, he wasn’t vicious but made his point and often used to make the class stay in
after school. He had a little Scottie dog which followed him everywhere. Mrs Schumayn the
Afrikaans teacher would get so harassed by the boys that she would order the whole class out
of the classroom. Of course the boys took advantage of this until one day Mr Edey came by and
asked why all the boys were in the quad. There was a Mrs Leenstra who taught Maths and with
whom every boy fell in love. She was a warm person and beautiful on the inside as well as
being very attractive.
Mike was a very good sportsman excelling in athletics, was a good sprinter and received the
Victor Ludorum in 1999 and 2000. He was awarded an honours Blazer for general honours and
specific honours, sport, culturals, merit and leadership. Mike also got involved with school and
house plays, and public speaking which helped in his business career and is key with his
presentations. Academically Mike was in the top class but regarded himself a “B” student.
Mike went on to study a BComm Entrepreneurship at RAU but was unhappy with the content
and programme. He decided to open a business – “Breakfast Boys”, he initiated this and sold
breakfast packs at the corner of Jan Smuts and Conrad Drive for R10. He included pamphlets
about himself and what he was doing and business issues he was experiencing. The business
did well and he had a number of students who did the same thing at various key intersections
with him providing the packs. Someone then asked for coffee with the breakfast pack which led
to Mike buying some backpacks from Nestle and then flying to the US to acquire the rights for
the specialised backpacks. Two months later he took over the below line marketing for Nestle
and SAB and covered all the cricket matches and outdoor events including the World Cup. It
wasn’t long before Nestle and SAB bought him out. Together with Bruce Smith he got involved
with other ventures and now runs an events company, publishing and travel companies under
the umbrella “LiveOutLoud”. The hard cover magazine he publishes is available only to
exceptional people or SA business leaders.
Mike’s company is a finalist in the Sanlam Entrepreneurial Award 2012, the youngest company
to be nominated and in the top 20. The company was placed in the annual Africa SMME Awards
where the best businesses in Africa and the most innovative were identified. Mike’s company
was placed second in the “Most Innovative Category”.
Mike believes that experience is as vital as qualifications and that the courage to go out and get
involved in something makes you stand out.
Mike would be interested in offering internships to boys in grade 10 and up and would be
interested to be involved with the matric rite of passage. He would be interested in the book and
getting involved in 2016 celebrations and MOBS.
JE September 2012

Interview with Mike Greeff – Staff - 2006 to 2015
Before joining St David’s in 2006 as chief executive officer, Mike worked in the banking sector for 20 years
before running his own consulting company specialising in development finance mainly in South Africa,
Eastern Europe and Africa. Mike enjoyed his business which was very successful and identified NGO’s or
groupings that banks would not consider and, under the auspices of Shore Bank, (Chicago) would
guarantee loans with the backing of the US government.
Whilst in the banking sector, Mike ran leadership camps for grade 11 to matric boys through the auspices
of Rotary. As a matriculant and head prefect at Parktown Boys, Mike had attended one of these camps
himself and eventually his boss at the time asked him if he would get involved. Mike also saw this as a
form of outreach through his own company and also his old school. Some of the youngsters who attended
the camps asked him to come and speak at pupil development workshops such as the one he was involved
with at St David’s. Whilst running his own company he continued with this as a form of personal corporate
outreach. This extended to working with staff at schools and several strategic planning workshops.
In early 2000 Paul Edey and Kevin Brewer asked Mike if he would facilitate a staff planning session at St
David’s and look at a restructuring programme for the school management. In 2005 Paul Edey called him
again and asked him if he would do an intervention to assess the success of the restructuring programme
and at the same time told him he was resigning and suggested that perhaps Mike should consider applying
for the position of chief executive officer.
Mike then recused himself from the intervention process and recalls meeting with Tony Chappel, the then
chairman of the board on a Saturday in May 2006.
Mike was not a Marist pupil himself but was a practicing catholic and his grandparents had been managers
of the Maristonian club at Woodmead. Mike’s mother was brought up there and loved everything Marist.
Unfortunately Mike’s parents were not in a position to be able to send him to St David’s and he went the
public school route but always had a very strong association with the Marists. Hs mother sadly passed
away the day before Mike met with Tony Chappel and he regrets not being able to tell her about the
planned meeting. Mike then went through a set of interviews with Br Jude, Mrs Sealand and others and
eventually began his career at St David’s in September 2006 and has never regretted it.
Mike’s involvement with the Marist Brothers was key to his move into education and he qualified as a
teacher shortly after coming to St David’s; all his prior qualifications being commercial degrees. There were
many different issues he was tasked to deal with and, apart from the absolute strengthening of the Marist
link with the brothers and the rest of the Marist world; these included risk and governance; strategy and
ethos. St David’s was and still is a Marist catholic independent school. Mike’s dream is that boys currently
at the school will still have, in twenty years time a Marist school which is relevant to the times to which they
can send their children.
Shortly before he died Br Anthony expressed the opinion that St David’s was more Marist then than when
the brothers were running the school purely because the lay Marists running the schools are so acutely
aware of their responsibilities inherited from legions of Marist brothers who laid the foundations.
St David’s performance is being acknowledged in education and catholic education circles with many
members of staff being leaders in the educational environment having positions within the IEB, ISASA, the
Catholic Schools Office etc . Br Jude was instrumental and brave in his support and encouragement of lay
teachers and staff.
Mike is very proud of how vibrant MOBS has become with a combination of both younger and older MOBS
working together with Willy Castle in the chair.
The Foundation has grown with Chantal Ratcliffe being the right person at the right time followed now by
Lara Klement with whom the development has continued and flourished with a Marist perspective. Mike is
intimately involved with the running of the Foundation which is now far beyond where it started and has
moved to a different level of maturity. Lara has done an incredible job supported by Thierry Dalais, Rob
Smith, Tony Chappell, Gianni Mariano and with Br Jude at the very heart of it.
Mike is currently chairman of the African Law and Brothers Commission which covers the entire African
continent and he reports to Br Javier who in turn runs the secretariat of the laity in Rome. Br Joe originally
asked Mike to represent Southern Africa at the first meeting of this body.
Mike has set in place a good financial management structure with the school being run along business lines
but not as a business, with both schools being directed by the two headmasters and their staff. The school
is currently in a good place and Mike feels that Rod Smith summed it up well in his retirement speech when
he said, “On our day we will beat anyone but we are too small to be arrogant”. The school is in a healthy
space but that can change overnight, it has to be maintained and sustained. Its strength lies in the numbers
with people doing what they are good at, who are passionate about what they do and educating within the
Marist ethos.
Mike currently enjoys a little bit of teaching in guest slots with the grade 8’s through to matric, and is also
involved with staff development assisting with the induction of new staff and is fully involved on a pastoral
level with both headmasters.
2016, Willy Castle will be playing an active role and Mike is confident that what we celebrate in 2016 will be
celebrated in the same vein in another 25 years time with a golden thread running through it.
Mike feels that it has been a privilege for him to live at Maryknoll and to be part of the school for the past 10
years.
Mike has, as from 1 March 2015 been appointed director of the Marist Schools Council.
JLE January 2015

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

Interview with Pam Groenewald – Staff 1998
Pam came to St David’s in 1998 to work as the prep school headmaster, Rick Wilson’s PA. She found Rick
to be an unbelievably, kind and well organised boss and really enjoyed working for him. He was incredibly
supportive and was amazing when Pam went through her battle with cancer five months after joining the
staff.
Pam is a very focused, well organised individual who believes in doing everything correctly and has been
involved with schools for some time. Her parents were part of the struggle, a strong Methodist family and
they often had black ministers and ANC members stay with them which has given her a great insight and
empathy with people. This is essential as part of Pam’s job has always been to calm parents down when
necessary.
She remembers her first day very well and couldn’t believe her office, which was originally the brothers’
toilet and wondered if she would cope. To gain access she had to walk through Rick’s office and on one
occasion when he had a number of visitors and she urgently needed to get out of her office, Cheryl helped
her squeeze though a tiny window in order not to disturb Rick. Pam got on very well with Rick, Cheryl King
and Robbie Orr, they all had a good sense of humour and to this day Rick will still mischievously hide the
mouse to Pam’s PC.
Pam did all the admissions to the prep school which was a heavy load but she coped. Unfortunately Pam
needed to earn more money and left after 5 years only to return again after 3 months in 2003 to work as PA
for Malcolm Williams, the headmaster of the high school. Pam coped well with Malcolm and his flamboyant
style of leadership and found him to be a very private person. She found him to be highly intelligent with a
very good brain and good heart and has a lot of respect for him.
Pam’s children have also been associated with St David’s, Craig has been involved as swimming coach for
the past 15 years and Cathy worked in the pre-primary for 10 years until last year.
JE September 2003

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

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

7. 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

Interview with Renzo Brocco – 1963
Renzo has an unusual family history and connection with Marist Inanda and it was for only one
year since its inception that a member of the family was not at the school. His father was a pupil
at Koch Street. (His aunt Myra Barale has a family tree) Renzo’s uncle, Stan Barale was the first
head boy and his brother Frank Barale was also a pupil at the school. Other uncles, Ronnie and
Cecil Morgan attended the school and the latter became a brother only to leave the brotherhood
later.
Other relations who are old boys are Harold Morgan, Kevin, John and Michael Peel – first
cousins; Michael and Sean Hackner – his sister’s sons, Ricardo – Renzo’s son (2002) and
Truda with Paul Truda being on the PTA.
When Renzo came to St David’s, Brother Edwin was the head followed by Brother Anthony. It
was a marvellous period in the school’s history and he enjoyed boarding for the last 18 months
of his school career and regretted not being a boarder for all his school life. Religion played an
important role in school life.
One of his schoolmates, Francis Gerard, lived next to the school and, in standards 5 and 6
some of the boys would go to his house during break and play darts. One day they didn’t hear
the bell and were caught by Brother Anthony who gave six of the best and warned them that
they would never become prefects, even though some of them eventually did.
Another brother who took them for woodwork was deaf and the boys used the opportunity to
ignore the bell, were then late for class and all of them got a whacking.
He remembers his first day, his father took him to school in his builder’s truck. He had with him
a little suitcase which he still has. As he was always fetched late in the day, Renzo used to play
with the boarders after school. He lived in Highlands North and used to get a lift to school with
Mrs Brick.
On the academic front, he was a member of the debating society and passed his matric. He was
deputy head boy to Derek Mandy together with Gerrit Hartman.
He played 1st team rugby, cricket, tennis and hockey. In those days they had to go to Ellis Park
to play tennis and there were no rugby or other coaches, the brothers took them right through.
He was a champion in the high jump and a member of the swimming team. A highlight of school
life was to play in the Marist rugby and cricket festivals with all six Marist schools getting
together at a different school each year. From there a Marist side was selected. He was
fortunate enough to attend three cricket festivals in Cape Town, St Joseph’s, Walmer, PE and
St Charles in Natal.
The teachers he remembers were Mrs Martin, Mrs Brick, Mrs Kempster, Mr Bishop in the prep.
Old boys he is in touch with include John Keene (63) curator of the war museum, Gerrit
Hartman, Gordon Slabbert, Edo Foly who did a lot of advertising for the school and Brother
Anthony.
The matric dance was held in the dining room (now the Library) and they wore their school
blazers. He remembers his first dance in standard 8 when he didn’t have a partner and, instead
took his sister. The last matric dance was nowhere near the splendour and extravagance of
today and the canteen did the catering. It was an important occasion as all the scrolls were
handed out.
He cannot remember much about his last day but perhaps relief that it was all over not realising
that in six months he would be missing school like mad. He enjoyed school especially boarding,
the sport and the brothers (“Crows”) who he feared but loved towards the end.
It was the time of the “Beatles”. He went to Wits, studied for a BCom and started a band and
played at most of the school dances, they were called “The Visitors”. He opened a couple of
steak houses and “Thunder Gun” in Blackheath is still going strong. He eventually went into the
building business as his father needed him and has been involved ever since. He undertakes
work for Avis, Barlows, BP and is now also taking on smaller contracts.
Renzo’s son is now teaching at a school for autistic children in London. After completing his
studies at Rhodes he was offered a position at St Andrews the same year that Paul Edey
became headmaster there.
Renzo was chairman of the PTA and of the old boys association for a time, and every year they
used to organise dance, gaming and stag evenings. One year they had a stag evening with
Eddie Eckstein (Obs) and Deoz Richardson (Walmer) for about 350 people, but sadly all this
petered out. Many of the old boys used to play for the Maristonian club after leaving school
JE October 2011
Additional information –
Marist Brothers St David’s
Stan Barale first head boy in 1948
Harol Morgan started in 1942 – 1948
Ronal Morgan started in Std 1 1948 – 1958 – was a Brother 12 years including St David’s in
1970 as Bursar
Frank Barale started in 1944-1954
Lorenzo Brocco started in 1952-1963
Eric Ambrosioni 1954-1966
Kevin Peel 1954 – 1966 1st cousin to Renzo
John Peel 1967 – 1978 1st cousin to Renzo
Michael Peel 1967 –1978
Anton Barale 1981 – 1985
Sean Hackner 1985 – 1990
Ricardo Brocco 1989 – 2003
Sebastian Truda 2007 –
Leonardo Truda 2009 –
Nikola Truda 2011 –
William Biddulph 2015 -

Interview with Rick Wilson – Staff 1996 to date
Rick was appointed headmaster of the preparatory school in 1996, prior to this he had lived in
Botswana for 11 years and before that taught at St Stithians. The reason for leaving Botswana
was that his two young sons needed to go to high school and there was nothing suitable in
Botswana.
Rick didn’t warm to the architecture of St David’s, finding the face brick too Victorian but he
came to love it over the years and in every subsequent project a great deal of effort has been
made to match the existing style. His first assembly was held in the old hall where now the high
school library is. Fairly apprehensive, coming from a very rural and multi-racial environment he
introduced himself to the 350 boys, as they sat on the floor. He talked to them about himself and
his life and how he played in a rock band during his teens. He appeared to have broken the ice
and quickly won the boys over.
As St David’s lacked a suitable large facility, the first speech night was held down at the pool
with the lectern and dignitaries lined up by the baby pool and the boys and parents on the
grandstands. As Rick began his speech, three Egyptian geese flew in and landed in the pool –
Rick jokingly said that his reputation as a good speaker had gone before him and had even
attracted the geese to come and listen to him.
Rick recalls that he was handed the keys to his tiny office in the grade 1 block, now occupied by
a therapist. He saw a cricket clinic in progress on the playing fields and decided to take a look.
As he walked over he was conscious of fierce scrutiny by a short bearded man. He introduced
himself to a suspicious Willy Castle. It took Willy two to three weeks before he had weighed Rick
up and didn’t venture to offer anything in the way of help until he had accepted him as the
newhHead.
Over the years a strong friendship has developed between them. Rick originally lived in the
house next to Willem, the estate manager and one day he and Gerry, his wife were sitting
outside when they heard the most terrible noise which turned out to be Willy and his wife Linda
revving the engine of Willy’s pride and joy, a V6 combi. They had come to fetch them to go and
eat pizza at Panerotti’s which had a special every Tuesday. Both Rick and Willy love garlic so
their pizzas looked rather like a snowstorm of garlic had landed. Afterwards they would then go
and buy sweets at a local sweet shop with Willy buying a huge bag to satisfy his sweet tooth.
On another occasion Rick had decided to go and fetch a video but, on reaching the main gate
realised he had left his wallet behind, he turned around and went back home where he ran
inside leaving his car engine running. He returned to find his car had disappeared; He had
heard of the car theft in Johannesburg but couldn’t believe this was happening to him. He went
in search of his car only to find Willy and Linda sitting on the bonnet of his car grinning from ear
to ear. Another time his prepared Weber braie disappeared only to find it behind the library
where Willy had hidden it.
Rick recalled another rather sad occasion when late at night Willy came knocking on his door
begging Rick to confess that he had stolen his beloved combi. Willy had gone to mass at
Rosebank, parked the combi only to come back and find it gone. This time it had been stolen
and Rick was absolved of seeking revenge.
In 1996 Rick and Paul Edey in consultation with the then chairman of the board, Terence
Wilkinson, then CEO of the Lonhro Group, formulated a rigorous development plan . The school
needed to modernise if it was to become a leading role player in the northern suburbs. The
facilities needed to improve and technology needed to be embraced going forward. In 1997
together with Kevin Brewer and the board the development plan commenced with a grand plan
of all the things that were required to improve the school including a new hall, classrooms, D &
T and IT centres. First came the classroom block to the left of the hall followed by the hall which
was built on the site of the old basketball court. Rick and Paul visited many school halls in
Johannesburg before consulting with the architects. One thing Rick was determined to
incorporate was a steeped or sloping balcony which would afford everyone a view of the stage
together with underground storage. The IT department had been started by Steve Eilertson and
was originally located in a long thin corridor with 10 state of the art 486 machines, which were
totally inadequate. Aware of Rick’s desire to upgrade the technology, the parents started a
petition to the board in support of their headmaster. He undertook three feasibility and
justification studies which was accepted, Jean Rodell was appointed head of IT for the prep
school and the fibre optic backbone installed.
The grade 0 classrooms were where the current IT department is and their playground where
the after-care is now located. Rick’s plan was to initiate two grade 00 classes and house them
together with three grade 0’s in a separate building, The pre-school block eventually followed
and the grade 0 classrooms were converted into our current computer classrooms.
When Rick first arrived the high school pavilion was an asbestos shed with no change rooms
and the boys were forced to change in the open in full view of some admiring mothers!. Rick
had built a state of the art D&T and IT centre at his school in Botswana and was determined St
David’s should have the same. He put together a justification for a D & T centre which was
approved by the board. Darryl Webb, deputy prep headmaster was given the job of overseeing
the project together with the new Music centre and high school Art centre.
Parents at St David’s have been extraordinarily generous with their donations and Rick was
never afraid to approach parents on behalf of struggling families for financial assistance when
needed. One parent who was leaving the country gave a donation of R2 million which with his
approval was used to build and refurbish the prep and high school libraries. When the hall was
built there wasn’t enough funding for a clock or stained glass windows for the tower. Rick
requested help via the school newsletter and the money came pouring in. There have been
some extremely kind benefactors who wish to remain anonymous.
Rick’s relationship with Paul Edey was an exceptionally good one and they used to spark each
other off. He enjoyed working together with him on much of the early development. He found
Paul to be an inspirational influence in his life.
Rick also feels that he has been blessed during his seventeen years with a stable, happy and
settled staff. This has been a source of great strength in the prep school with teachers who have
bought into the Marist philosophy resulting in the grade 7 boys being fully prepared for the
challenges of high school. The power of Marist cannot be underestimated and Rick also
believes strongly in the circle of contentment whereby, if the teachers are happy - then so are
the boys and if the boys are happy then so are the parents. Usually about 8 to 12 grade 7 boys
leave the school. Some win scholarships to prestigious boarding schools whilst some boys are
victims of the “Spud effect”. Rick always follows up on these boys and they always do
exceptionally well in their new schools having been given the foundation by St David’s prep
Rick believes he has been the longest serving headmaster at St David’s and, when he retires at
the end of 2013 will have served the school for 17 years and he observes that with the
exception of one year he has seen a new building development each year.
One of the aspects of his time at the school, which he values highly, is the role he has played in
staff development especially with interns. Many teachers have gone on to be heads or deputies
of other schools of which he is justifiably proud.
JLE January 2013

Interview with Robin Smith – Board and Foundation 2001 to date
Robin and Alison’s sons, Alastair and Stuart attended St David’s with Alastair enrolling in grade 0 in 1997,
matriculating in 2009 and Stuart staring in grade OO in 2000 and matriculating in 2012. Having attended a
Catholic school, CBC in Kimberly, Robin wanted his sons to have a similar religious based education. The
family home was nearby in Atholl and Robin’s uncle, Br Hugh Smith was Brother Provincial of CBC in
South Africa.
Robin and Alison were always very involved parents and Robin was invited to join the board of governors in

2001. Paul Edey was then the headmaster of the high school and Rick Wilson of the preparatory school.
      Tony Reilly, who had been a classmate of Robin’s at CBC, had taken over as chairman of the board
      following Kevin Brewer. Robin’s initial portfolio was that of finance with the aim of improving the financial
      systems within the school. In 2004 he then took over the development portfolio from Kevin Brewer,
      launching into a very strong development phase at St David’s.
      The development progressed in several stages with the junior school pavilion being the first rather
      controversial project. Robin, together with the support and assistance of Willy Castle planned and
      developed the facility. They did this “asking for forgiveness not permission” from the brothers. It was a
      success and a great improvement.
      The Design and Technology centre followed together with the senior Art room and then the Music centre.
      In 2006 the Astro was built, the grounds, parking facilities, both “Thatches”, signage and the main entrance
      had a much needed revamp. A new workshop was built and cricket nets built into the bank on the main
      field.
      The chapel was next with two years in the planning with many people wishing to give their input. After much
      discussion and planning, together, with the new junior school Art facility the chapel was completed in 2007.
      The brothers and Rome became progressively more supportive as the board had shown they could handle
      major projects within the time projections and most importantly budgetary requirements. Kevin Brewer, who
      was then on the Marist Schools Council, was a great help in this regard, and was very supportive of the
      accelerated development.
      There was a lull in the development activity in 2008, followed in 2009 with the design, planning and
      construction from scratch of the staff housing project and the grade 1 and 2 classroom block was extended.
      Robin was involved with the planning of the Brother Anthony wing but didn’t run the project as he was by
      then involved with the Foundation.
      The Foundation was established in 2005 and launched in 2006 with Thierry Dalais as its first chairman.
      Robin as chairman of the board of governors was automatically a trustee of the Foundation and eventually
      took over as chairman from 2011 to date. Robin was the longest standing member of the board having
      served for three consecutive terms of three years.
      Robin wished to emphasise that from the initial renovations of the junior school pavilion to current
      developments, Willy Castle has always been very supportive, having a hand in every project and has
      proven to be very practical and very helpful.
      Current projects on the drawing board include the proposed new cricket pavilion on the main oval with the
      drawings and design completed. The Marist old boys facility and sports centre has become a Foundation
      project with the date of completion being set for 2016 in time for the 75th anniversary of St David’s. Robin is
      very involved but is focused on getting the right people on board moving forward with the Foundation.
      JLE May 2014

Interview with Sabelo Sithebe – 2005
Sabelo’s mother was determined that Sabelo be a pupil at St David’s and went in everyday to
the admissions department with this objective in mind.
Sabelo remembers his first day at St David’s in the old grade 0 block. He watched Andrew Prior
and Kyle Burger playing cricket, the first time he had seen the game played and joined in. His
teacher was Mrs Tyack and he made life-long friends that day. The head of the prep was Greg
Royce followed by Rick Wilson who built on the merit system which motivated many of the
young prep school boys and changed the mind set of many. He was a father figure who
interacted with the boys well and was always fair. He remembers Mrs Hurley, Mrs Rose who
pushed him with his reading and to achieve, Mrs Geldenhuys whose approach to Maths was
invaluable.
In the high school Paul Edey was headmaster and the teachers he particularly remembers are
Mrs Marais, Mrs Roman, who struck a good balance, being caring and tender but also strong
enough to control a class. Mr Van Den Berg taught him to enjoy Accounting and the atmosphere
he created. Great teachers had good balance and knew which buttons to press at the right time.
Sabelo feels that it’s not the buildings at St David’s but the people who make the school.
The school grew enormously whilst he was a pupil with the building of the Champagnat hall,
high school pavilion and library.
For Sabelo, school was a huge part of his life and he participated in sport in all the three terms
playing tennis, cricket, football, rugby, athletics and swimming. He learnt to swim in grade 6, as
Willy Castle took no excuses and said “you will swim”. Willy Castle was a father figure to all the
boys who were initially afraid and in awe of him. Willy pushed you to be better than yourself and
had a great influence on many of the boys. Sabelo thought the sport was fantastic and the way
in which it helped develop ones character. He was a member of the 1st team football, 1st team
rugby and also did a lot of running. The rugby was tough in the beginning, building bonds,
relationships with fellow soldiers, and believes that’s why rugby is important at a boy’s school,
Sabelo said it wasn’t the same at university, at school every Saturday was special. He recalled
the Johnny Waite victory over schools such as St John’s and learning that even being a small
school they could still achieve a lot.
He felt that there was a lovely balance of academics and sport as school is also about people
development, building young men who participate in society using the Marcellin and Marist
ideals with modesty. Those traditions were instilled in the junior primary with highlights such as
the football tour to East London. The 1st team were in their special kit and everyone played hard
to ensure they upheld the tradition and values of the school. In the high school going to St
Andrews, Bloemfontein was always great.
The camps were sometimes controversial with his grade 9 and 10 year camps being held in
appalling conditions with particularly bad weather. However the grade 11 camp held under the
same conditions went very well. He really hated the camps but really enjoyed that one.
Sabelo participated in the SMILE programme, performed in three school musicals produced by
Mr Dry, and remembers Nelson Mandela coming to watch “West Side Story”. He was also a
member of the school choir in grade 11 and matric.
Sabelo looked up to some of the older boys such as Jason Simaan, Robert Smith, Gareth
Kolkenbeck-Ruh, Bevan Winderly, boys he saw achieving and wanted to emulate them. They
were setting the standard achieving not just for themselves but also for the school.
On becoming head boy, Sabelo knew he would be amongst a group of individuals who would
help him. It was a phenomenal experience and also quite overwhelming being one of a line of
leaders of men such as Mike Von Guilliame, Gareth Kolkenbek-Ruh and Robert Stuart.
Academically Sabelo did very well and was in the top 15 when he matriculated with 7
distinctions. His last day was surreal and emotional and he is very much a product of St David’s.
He went to Wits and studied for a BA Accounting Science until 2009 and then went onto
Investec to write his articles and, having passed the exams, being the first overall in the country
and will start practising as an accountant in November 2012.
JE 2012

Interview with Setty Risi – 1950
This is more of a series of recollections by Setty Risi during his time at Inanda. He was initially
at Koch Street.
Setty joined St David’s or Marist Inanda as it was then known in 1947. That year saw the start of
a transformation the college firstly in the scholastic field with the first junior matric class and in
1948 the first senior matric class began. In 1950 the senior and junior matrics prepared for a
mid-winter exam which was introduced by Br Edwin together with the College of Education in
preparation for the final exams.
The boarding section was situated opposite the classrooms and consisted of four dormitories
with A and B on the top floor and C and D on the bottom. Each dorm housed plus, minus 60
boys. The boarders study and college chapel were located at the opposite end facing the junior
school; the former on the ground floor, and the latter upstairs. The boarders’ dining room and
kitchen faced the quadrangle. The college chef, Piet Tshabalala who retired in 1950, had been
with Marist Brothers for over 40 years and had been personally employed by Br Frederic at
Koch Street. Setty met Br Frederic when he was a boarder at Marist Brothers, Uitenhague. Br
Frederic sadly died 4 weeks before his 100th birthday.
The brothers had their own cottage, which has since been demolished situated directly opposite
the old swimming pool.
The principal of the junior school was Mrs Kempster and the senior school, Br Urban until he
passed away in 1949 and Br Edwin took his place. Br Urban, a strict but fair man, very proud of
the progress achieved during his term as principal, was loved and respected. He believed that
every Marist Inanda scholar should take heed of the college motto – Comfortare Esto Vir –
Strive to be a Man. He had planned a trip to his homeland Australia but died in the presence of
his colleague Br Justin.
Br Edwin was a South African and came from a well know SA family. This was his first post as
principal of a college and his passion was rugby. As a Science teacher many a lesson was
disrupted by his talks on rugby, showing the boys press cuttings from his scrapbook which
described him as an excellent rugby player and a magnificent centre. Whilst he was studying for
the brotherhood, he was being groomed for provincial honours but was seriously injured in a
match suffering severe back and neck injuries resulting in permanent paralysis of the neck. He
was unable to turn his neck to the left or right, nevertheless this did not deter him from
appointing himself as the 1st XV coach. He was nicknamed “Jack Bones” and proved his worth
by turning the 1st XV into a real mean machine. He perfected the scrummaging and backline
with the end result proved his point with the team playing 10 matches, winning 7, losing 2 and
drawing 1.
The staff were Br Bartholemew – cricket coach; Br Alban – rugby and cricket coach who was
transferred to St Henry’s in 1949; Br Thomas; Br John; Br Lewis; Mr B. Singleton; Mr R. Bishop;
Mrs A Basson – Music teacher. In 1948 Br Celestine (Caesar) joined the staff as Maths and
Latin teacher. He was the only teacher who wished to be called Caesar and made it a ritual
every time he started a lesson. The boys would all stand, right arms raised, fists clenched and
shout “Hail Caesar”.
In 1947, rugby was introduced as a sport, two tennis courts were erected and the grading and
making of a new sports field. The new sports field which was used mainly for rugby and cricket
events was called the bottom field of which the top portion is the swimming pool today. Top
fields had three soccer pitches with the main field adjoining Rivonia Road sloping to the second
field and the third field at the back on Boundary Road. In 1948, the grading and levelling of the
main and second soccer field commenced and a turf wicket laid. The main rugby field was
parallel to Rivonia Road, B field adjoined 1st Avenue and one soccer field remained at the back
on Boundary Road. Soccer was restricted to the junior school only and the cricket pitch was
named “The Urban Oval”.
Tennis was in its infancy and there was great competition amongst the boys to represent the
school. Eventually 3 teams were selected and the school had the good fortune to have Jaraslav
Drobny, ex Wimbledon champion as a coach for a week. In1949 the doubles team played 8
matches, winning 6 and the singles champion advanced to the last 8 participating in the U/18
Transvaal championships held at Ellis Park.
Boxing was another popular sport which was initially contested between the houses, Benedict,
Bishops, College and Osmond. In 1949 the only tournament arranged was against Observatory
at Obs. The popularity of boxing was however on the decline and was eventually discontinued.
Swimming was the weakest link in the sports curriculum with mediocre swimmers although the
school did compete in the high school gala at Ellis Park. What the Marist boys, together with
Jeppe High was the highlight was the destruction of the KES school mascot, a giant teddy bear.
This was brought on by sour grapes as KES won this gala year after year.
1948 was quite a year for athletics the highlight of which was the build up to the athletics
meeting against rival Marist Observatory held at Obs. Frank McGrath, against all odds pipped
the Observatory sprinter at the post receiving a replica of the Callixte shield. This shield was
named after Br Callixte and was contested by the junior schools from Marist Koch Street,
Observatory and Inanda. Early in 1949, the athletics track which circled the cricket oval was
completed, this coincided with a triangular meeting against CBC Boksburg and CBC Pretoria
held at the college. The school was fortunate enough to have members of the visiting US
olympic athletics team visit the college as a good will gesture. Their shot putt champion gave
the boys some valuable tips. A floating trophy for athletics was donated to the college by Mr
Julius Risi.
During 1941 – 46, cricket achieved first team status by competing against 1st X1 teams from
other schools ending the season having played 10 matches winning 4, losing3 and drawing 3. In
1948 the Australian cricket team, led by Lindsay Hasseti touring South Africa had a Marist touch
to it as three members of the team were Marist old boys. Amid much excitement they paid a visit
to Inanda and left a signed cricket bat as a memento to be presented to the batsman who
scored the most runs during the season. Sadly the bat went missing in 1949. During 1949 the
1st XI cricket team improved a great deal and 2 members were invited to attend Nuffield week
and, although they were not selected for the team they gained valuable experience..In 1950
there was a short but successful tour of Natal winning 1 and drawing 1 match.
In 1974, soccer had two divisions the U16 and U18. The standard of soccer was excellent with
both teams excelling during the season. The U16 finished second on the log to Mayfair Highland
and the open team, which proved to be one of the best school open teams, played in the U\20
league against such teams as Wanderers, Y.M.C.A., Rangers and Marist.
Rugby was introduced late in the season in 1947 and, due to the excellent coaching and
knowledge of Br Alban, and that many senior boys knew the fundamentals of the game, it took
little time for them to get into the swing of the game. Thirty boys were selected and the best
fifteen were given Ist team status. Setty was the first ever scrum half and played 1st team rugby
for 4 years. The school played 6 games winning 3, losing 2 and drawing 1. As the team was still
in the novice class, 3 of the matches played were against the 2nd XV from Marist Observatory,
Monument and Fakkel, winning the former and losing the latter. The members of the 1st XV of
1947 were reselected for the 1948 season as the college only obtained complete high school
status in 1948, the first senior matric class Marist Inanda was listed as a day scholar and
boarding school. What a season that was. Prior to its start, Br Alban informed the school that
the team would be given full 1st XV status, rugby scrolls would be awarded and the school
would only participate against 1st XV’s from other schools. As 90% other team were boarders
they started their training early in the season and in the evenings after study, talks were given
about rugby. Highlight of the season was the match against the unbeaten, star studded
Parktown Boys. Before the game Br Urban gave an inspirational talk to the team. A walkover by
Parktown was inevitable, however the team performed a David and Goliath act and beat them
11-8. After the match the team created the war cry which was accepted until 1950:-
Killamanaio! – Waa!- Killamanaio – Waa!
Zucka-Zucka-Zunka-Zinca-Zinca-Zaa! Zaa!
Chia-Chia-Chaa! Chaa!
Ina-Ina! Aah!
I-N-A-N-D-A
Marist Inanda
In 1949 the All Blacks toured South Africa and the 7 Marist members of the team were invited
as spectators to a home match with a combined 7 players from Marist Inanda together with 8
from Marist Observatory playing against a combined visiting Marist St Henry’s and St Charle’s
team. Some brilliant rugby was enjoyed by a large crowd with the home side winning 13-10 A
“combined Marist scroll was awarded to the 15 members of the local team by a member of the
All Blacks. The college team ended the rugby season having played 13 matches, winning 8,
losing 4 and drawing 1.The names of the players appear at the end of this document.
The rugby highlights of 1950 were versus Marist Observatory where, before a record crowd,
Inanda recorded their first draw against them, having lost the last 3 encounters. The next game
was against St Henry’s played at the Old Maristonian Club. Br Alban, their previous coach had
been transferred to St Henry’s the previous year, so it was a nostalgic match which Inanda won
5-3 and Br Alban said he was proud of them. The next highly competitive game was against St
Charles in Pietermarizburg. Br Edwin was determined that they should win although St Charles
were far superior with 5 members of their team representing Natal Schools. The team went into
vigorous training weeks before the event with Br Edwin teaching them coded moves which they
perfected. The team was accompanied by Br Matthew and on their arrival at Pietermaritzburg
station on the Saturday morning at 4.00am, after 12 hours travelling prior to the game that
afternoon, they were met by Br Ralph and the team captain. With jeers and laughter Br Matthew
was asked if this was Inanda’s U15 side. Then they were taken to St Charles and told to share
the 8 mattresses that had been prepared in the school hall. This and the negative comments by
their boys did not deter the Inanda team. There was a competition predicting the score which
had St Charles victorious by 60-0. At 2pm they were driven to the main rugby ground as the
game was a curtain raiser to a main fixture between a local side and the Old Marists from
Durban. In front of an enormous crowd of 5 – 6,000 supporters to Inanda’s total of 2, their
linesman and Br Matthew, it did seem as if it were Inanda’s U15 team compared to the weight,
strength and height of the St Charles boys. Five minutes into the game St Charles scored and
converted a try, 5-0. However Inanda’s defence was excellent and they held their own in the
scrum even though St Charles had a tremendous weight advantage. Inanda counteracted this
by packing very low which upset the opposition. After half –time, with the support of the large
crowd the team was fired with enthusiasm and their confidence increased as the game
progressed. A scrum on St Charles try line using a code move, wheeling left instead of right
allowed their flanker to barge over. The try was converted and the game ended in Inanda’s
favour 8-5. In appreciation, a portion of the crowd carried each team member off the field
shoulder high and at the station that evening to see them off, Br Matthew bade a sombre Br
Ralph farewell saying, “ Brother that was our U15 team luckily for you we did not bring our 1st
team”. Br Edwin was a happy man the mighty St Charles had been humiliated.
In 1948 the first matric dance was held in the boarders study.
There was some drama in 1949 with the murder of Bubbles Shroeder at Hlati-Kulu the
magnificent house with its entrance directly opposite the school gates. The police presence with
sirens wailing went on for months which was an exciting time for the boarders who were able to
witness the comings and goings in the evenings and Piet the chef kept the boys well informed
as he was friendly with the chef at Hlati-Kulu.
In 1950 there was an incident when some senior boarders hatched a scheme whereby they
planned to enter Br Florian’s room in the brothers’ cottage to peruse the exam papers, take
notes on the questions asked and give this to their colleagues. This was done without the
knowledge of the prefects or other senior boys. Saturday morning at 7am was selected as the
time when the boarders had their coffee break and all the brothers attended Vespers from 7 –
8am. All went well and the boys accomplished their mission but one of the boys involved
realised that his right glove was missing and he presumed he had left it in Br Florian’s room.
The boys concocted a story whereby they said they were playing with Spotty, Br Florian’s fox
terrier and the dog ran off towards Br Florian’s room with a glove. The boys said they were
wearing gloves because it was so cold. Br Florian said he would investigate and nothing more
was said until a few days later when the whole school was told to assemble in the quad. In
school hours this was most unusual. The culprit was told to repeat his story in front of the whole
school. Br Edwin was furious and accepted that the glove was found in Br Florian’s room,
however it was found not on the floor but under a pile of exam papers. The other boys owned up
and told the truth and fortunately for them Br Edwin believed that no-one else was involved. He
intended to expel them immediately but had a change of heart as they were senior matric pupils
and the final exams were only months away, nevertheless he cancelled all the exam papers.
During this period all the class and sports photos had been taken, colours blazers and scrolls
awarded and Br Edwin was adamant that he would have cancelled all these awards if this had
happened earlier. He decided that no photos, scholastic or sports activities would be included in
the school records for 1950 and would be deleted.
On matriculating, Setty left to join his father’s business in township development of areas such
as Risidale, Lynmeyer etc. The business was sold in 1979 and Setty who loved gardening
joined Kirchhoffs Seeds where he remained until his retirement in 2000.
The names of the players representing the 1st XV
1949 1950
H. Gearing Full Back C. Leon
F.McGrath Wing M. Rogers
M. Gonsalves Wing T.Kilgour
E. Hulse Centre D. Rethman (Capt)
L. Da Cruz Centre R. Gibson
R. Buffa Flyhalf J.Pacheco
S. Risi Scrumhalf S. Risi
K. Kannaugh 8th Man M. Forretti
C. Clarke Flank R. Perino
T. Smyhte Flank A. Zylstra
D. Smith Lock M. Madeyski
P. Spencer Lock B. Babaya
E. Barale (Capt) Front Row P. Cazales
J. Airoldi Front Row R. Kippen
L. Steyn Hooker I. Kealey
JLE April 2013

Interview with Svend Littauer – 1988
Svend came to St David’s in 1984, standard 6, he had just returned from being a few years
in Denmark and started school during the mid-term. It is never easy to try and integrate
when everyone already has their group of friends but he was made welcome by having a
designated person to look after him who he proudly still can call a friend 30 years later.
He always generally enjoyed school as an opportunity to be social and if the curriculum was
engaging enough it ensured that he was interested. Unfortunately during his time at St
David’s there were some “scandals” relating to the headmaster which meant that there was
no strong leadership in place. The reputation of the school suffered and the loss of the
brothers took away the specialness of the school.
Svend did not enjoy prefects’ teas – the thought that someone 17 years old had the authority
over you and, depending on their character, what punishment they could inflict.
Svend played tennis, rugby, hockey and cannot recall which team but he was briefly in the
rugby team before injured knees meant he had to swap to hockey..
The teachers that he remembers are Ms Joseph who was a fun Art teacher, Mrs De Wit and
Mr De Souza; Svend enjoyed their commitment to teaching.
One year the matrics apparently bounced the mini belonging to the Biology teacher up to the
first floor but as Svend wasn’t a witness he was not sure whether this was an urban legend.
Of his last day Svend remembers that it was with an element of sadness as it was where he
had spent the past 5 years however with it being the final year before embarking on the next
journey it was fairly exciting. He was with a number of boys going to St John’s to complete
their A’levels, during the uncertain times when they weren’t sure what the future in SA held.
After matriculating Svend went on to St John’s to write A level’s then onto RAU where he
studied for a BCom Law from 1992 – 94 and then Economics Hons in 1995. He is a fellow of
ICSA and is currently head of corporate legal and HR, Goodwille Ltd., St James House, 13
Kensington Square, London W8 5HD.
Svend had no sons who attended St David’s and visited St David’s 10 years ago but is still in
contact with George Neville Griffin, Stephen Klein, Beau Nicholas White and Edric von
Meyer.
JLE July 2013

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

Interview with Terence K. Lavery -1967 aka – T
Years attended Marist Inanda – 1956 -1967 – Matriculated 1967
My oldest brother Rory (1965) and I carpooled from Emerentia Ext. with Kevin & Johnny Peel
from 1956 – 1965. In 1966 & 1967 I boarded at Marist InandaThere really were not any pros to
being a day boy, it was what it was and we didn’t know anything else and I did feel sorry for the
boarders that had to remain at school over the week-ends but sports and activities made the
week-end go by quickly.The cons to being a day boy for the Lavery’s & Peel’s were that we had
to get up rather early to execute the carpool and that we were dropped off early, usually 1 to 1-
1/2 hours before school started (until standard 7, when they implemented a new period that
started @ 7:45am) and we were picked up 5:00pm to go home. This made an extremely long
day, especially in the early years. Special arrangements had to be made when we were let out
of class early and many times we had to wait until 5:00pm to be picked up. The other con was
that we did not get to play or know the children in our neighborhood, since we arrived home so
late.
The pros to being a boarder, especially in standard 9 & matric was the structured day, study
hall, rosary, chapel, meals and bedtime. Boarding (and the military service) taught you to eat
anything and everything otherwise you went hungry. You became better friends to your
boarding classmates.
The cons were the limited access to radio music (a form of broad punishment) and news
papers. In hind sight I missed a lot of music influences in 1966 & 1967 and world and local news
events (Sharpsville riots) that influence and mold teenagers in that age bracket. This really
showed up when I was attending the University of Washington in Seattle, WA 1970-1974.
My 1st day is still a vivid memory, very apprehensive but not like some others that day as I was a
3rd sibling and my oldest brother Rory already attended Marist Inanda. My mother walking me
into the courtyard of the grade school, on the way to Mrs. Bricks classroom when she spotted
another mom and son next to us walking in the same direction, she grabs his arm and asks
“what your name? – Robert Ashby he replies – good, this is Terence Lavery, you are now
friends.” Robert and 11 other boys walking to Mrs. Brick’s classroom that day matriculated
together in 1967.
My last formal day before matric exams began consisted of short time in the classroom followed
by Joe Stravino, Johnny Astrup and I (only 3 matric boys with cars) deciding to race our cars
around the cinder athletic track, NASCAR style early years, sliding around 3 corners (track had
3 legs of cinder and 1 of glass) completing 1 lap and after 2 additional corners finding Br.
Anthony standing squarely in the middle of the track, hands on his hips causing us to come to a
screeching stop. When each of us exited the track onto the road he asked us “What are you
doing? I’m not going to let you take the final exams.” We went to his office to beg for
forgiveness, and permission to be allowed to take the exams.
I cannot remember the theme of the matric dance but I do remember that the standard 9’s had
done an excellent job of decorating the dining hall and that Susan Davey and I had a wonderful
time. I also remember that my sister Trisha, who attended Holy Cross Convent, helped set up
Joe Stravino with Zenda Lutz and Derrick Schoombie with his date for that night and that they
both of them married their dates that night later in life.
I enjoyed the all boys’ school, the uniforms, the small class room sizes, the brothers, the lay
teachers, the discipline, the friendships, ethnic diversity and the athletic fields, the requirement
to participate in a sport every season.
The aspects I least enjoyed were wearing ties on a hot summer day, caning the entire class for
an infraction by one student, competing against larger schools in sports – KES, Parktown Boys
and Marist Obs and getting crushed. But the passage of time, the 46 years, has diminished the
majority of dislikes.
The Marist Centennial celebration in 1966 with 3 bus loads of students travelling down to St
Joseph in Rondebosch, Cape Town was memorable in more ways than one. Best left
unspoken.
The worst moments at school, in my experience, comprised of the strict and severe disciplinary
measures metered out by the brothers. I recall my 1st caning in grade 2 and my last episode 1
week before I matriculated. But the most memorable was a severe dose metered out by Brother
Andrew one morning in 1st period standard 8 because the entire class was were talking and not
studying as instructed. The entire class was marched out single file to an empty class room and
individually brought back for 4 strokes with the cane. When it was my turn Brother Andrew, who
was left handed, seemed to dispense the strokes with extra vigor and on my return to the class
room I felt blood dripping down my buttocks. Being macho and amongst peers you did not show
any sign of pain or crying and were usually laughing out of pain. I let my peers know that I
believe I was bleeding and was called upon to prove it. I dropped my pant to display the
bleeding to all in attendance, only to have Brother Andrew enter the class room to see me with
my pant around my ankles. “Lavery - What are you doing? Do you want 4 more?” When I turned
around to face him he noticed the blood streaming down my leg and his jaw dropped in surprise,
his eyes got bigger and he mumbled “Get dressed!” and left the class room.
As an epilogue to the above story I do not feel that any of the discipline I received was
undeserving or malicious in nature and it never affected me mentally or physically. I never
notified my parents of any incidents because my father was an old Marist Observatory boarder
from grade 1 to matric (1933) and he would have supplemented the punishment. He too was a
strict disciplinarian.Unfortunately time has erased the funny/amusing incidents but I sure if I
were to attend a class reunion my recollections would be rekindled.Once again, unfortunately
time has erased the names and faces of the teachers but the following 3 were clearly influential
in my development. Brother Anthony, Brother Andrew & Brother Timothy come to mind.I was a
prefect but didn’t receive any special awards other than for athletics.
I played all sports at Marist Inanda at that time 1956  1960 swimming, tennis, athletics and
soccer.
1961  1967 – I participated in swimming and water polo team, cricket, tennis, field hockey,
soccer and athletics. We did not attend or have any camps available to us. In all sports I was on
the 1ST Team except cricket which I did not participate in. From 1965 as I was playing baseball
for the Pirates Club and the 1967 1st XV rugby teams as I was training for the Springboks
European tour 1967.I competed for the Southern Transvaal athletics teams from 1964 – 1968 in
all provincial competitions and South African championships and was selected as a Junior
Springbok to compete against Germany 1966 in Bloemfontein, OFS and to tour with the Senior
Springbok team for 4 weeks in Europe July 1967. I still hold 4 South African records in the 100
yards, 220 yards, 220 low hurdles & 440 yards in the U-17 age group.I was selected to attend
the South African Air Force in Valhalla and after my service was completed was given a bursary
to attend Stellenbosch University. I toured with the University of Stellenbosch athletics’ team in
1969 in Rhodesia.
In 1970 at the advice of a mentor, rather than attend the University of Stellenbosch, I applied for
athletics’ scholarships to 14 different USA universities in western or southern states. I accepted
an athletics’ (track) scholarship to the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington State. I
chose to study Business Administration and graduated in December 1974 with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in marketing. In 1975 I attended Wits
University MBA program which I did not complete as I returned to USA in August 1975.
In order to return to the USA on a working permit I was offered a job as an outside Industrial
salesman for a plumbing, commercial and pipe, valves and fittings distribution company in
Seattle, WA. I have been employed there for 38 years and hold the position of national account
manager for The Boeing Company. In this position I administer the support to Boeing for its
ground assembly facilities across the USA, supporting Boeing’s locations in the Puget Sound,
Portland, OR, Southern California, Mesa, AZ, Salt Lake City, UT, St. Louis, MO, El Paso, TX,
San Antonio TX, Philadelphia, PA and Charleston, SC. In 1988 my company Familian
Northwest, Inc was sold to an English company Wolseley, PLC. Which today is the world’s
largest distributor of plumbing, commercial plumbing and pipe, valves and fittings in the world
and USA.
Since I was out of the country I had none of my 3 children attend St. David’s, Marist, Inanda.The
last time I visited St. David’s was in January 2002.
The story I recollect regarding the sports field north (?) of the school is as follows – I believe the
50 acres of property were donated to the school in 1965 +/- and that our students were granted
access to a usually prohibited piece of property for the 1st time. The newly assembled marching
band members use it to practice their bugles and kettle drum music and some members of the
1st VX rugby teams chopped some of the trees down as strength training. Then they started to
bulldoze the lower area for rugby fields and after months of work with large earth moving
equipment the fields had their final shape. I remember that Brother Anthony hire a water
dowsing expert to locate an underground stream or water source and that Brother Andrew, who
maintained the cinder track and cricket pitches, showed us how by using willow branch we
could confirm the location of the water. This is where Mr. Simaan enters the picture, Br. Andrew
was tasked with planting the grass on the newly bull dozed fields, he would allow a selected few
Std 9 & 10 students out during the evening study hall to walk with him as he survey this
monumental task. I’m not sure how this transpired but in short time George Da Matta offered his
father’s flat bed produce truck to Br. Andrew and that a number of us students went over to Mr
Simaans property the following week-end, armed with picks, shovels and pitch forks to harvest
the kikuyu grass that surrounded his property. We returned with a truck load of kikuyu starts that
were subsequently planted in rows starting in the corner closest to the road between the shed
and the property. George Da Matta, Dave Palmer and others that grew up on farms, knew how
to operate the tractor and plow and they hoed perfect rows for us to plant the kikuyu starts. We
did this in the evenings after the african workers had completed their work during the day.
JLE June 2013

Interview with Teresa Voorendyk - Staff – 1997 to date
Teresa joined the staff of St David’s in 1997 together with Dave Smith and Stuart Foulds. She was
appointed as librarian and English teacher by Paul Edey, the same position she had with her former
employer KES. She recalled being interviewed by Paul Edey, Gary Norton and the head of English, Richard
Girdwood.
In her first year she taught two English classes and MUG (media user guidance) to the grade 8’s and 9’s.
Teresa shared the library facility together with the prep school librarian, Mary Clover. With the different
teaching hours and timetables, the conditions were not ideal however she enjoyed the freedom to buy
books and encouraged her library monitors to select books within an allocated budget she set them.
Teresa eventually moved into teaching English full-time and was peripatetic for a few years until she
inherited her present classroom from Liz Sheratt.
Teresa has filled a number of roles in her time with the school being, head of English, housemistress of
Benedict, mentor to the matric group and now being head of Life Orientation, she has enthusiastically run
the long distance running activity at the school and also takes the boys on corporate relays and other runs
outside of school.
She has seen people come and go with many changes some good some not so good. She has so many
memories of events, individuals, matric groups, and the long distance runners and now some of the pupils
she taught are colleagues such as Matthew Schneider, Richard Carey and Kyle Biller. She recalls the
matric group of 2005 as being very special, they were an odd ball bunch of characters but she had a close
bond with them. She still sees some of “her” runners, many of whom have continued to compete after
leaving school.
Teresa has been very happy at St David’s. It has become a very busy school and initially she and other
colleagues were able to attend all the events and functions but now there are too many to cope with. In
1997 there were 42 boys in matric which are now 112 and with 610 in the school. Previously there was time
to talk to each other and the boys, now it is not quite the close knit community it used to be. The school is
competent in so many areas and so many things. Teresa knew not only the names of the boys she taught
but of all the boys in the high school, now there are far too many. She realises that St David’s has to move
with the times and has to compete with other schools.
Teresa prides herself on being the only high school teacher who still has a blackboard in her classroom.
This doesn’t mean that she doesn’t use technology and is not IT illiterate but she prefers the old way of
teaching.
For sometime Teresa was responsible for the school’s trophies, taking over from Father Brewer when he
became ill. This has now been taken over by Karina George and Teresa is grateful that she no longer has
to track down and ensure the return of the many trophies, ensuring they were in good condition and
engraved every year in time for prize giving.
Teresa always enjoys seeing the old boys and there are very few of whom she has negative memories.
She helped many of the boys without charge, some appreciated this and others took it for granted.
Of her colleagues she remembers Paul Edey who made people believe in themselves, he was warm and
kind and made her feel special and she valued that she mattered. Although she initially didn’t get on with
him, she ended up teaching grade 10’s with Rod Smith and he was immensely supportive when she was
made housemaster. She regards Willy Castle as very special and she would run through a brick wall for
him. During her bleakest year in 2005, he encouraged her to run the Comrades marathon and she hasn’t
looked back since. He has been her mentor, friend, running partner and has the ability to make people
believe in themselves.
Teresa has changed direction in her career and is happy to remain at St David’s until she retires; she
regards St David’s as her home. St David’s is a special place and the pride and tradition doesn’t just belong
to the men and the boys and old boys. She was greatly affected by the “bus incident” and how it impacted
on the school and finds it difficult to understand the mentality of the matrics and their expectations of how
they want to treat the grade 8’s.
Teresa believes that the school needs staff that understands and relate to what the staff actually do here
and are prepared to contribute. One has to believe in what one is doing and that not every day is going to
be fun.
JLE February 2014

Interview with Thierry Dalais – 1975
Thierry has had a long association with Marist Brothers. His father went to St Charles and he
himself went to St Charles as a boarder in 1973 at the age of 10, he loved the school and, on
moving to Johannesburg was introduced to St David’s in standard 8 whilst Br Anthony was still
headmaster.
On his first day, school had already started and Br Anthony took him to class 8A (Class 8 was
the smarter class!) and the chaps he then met are still his friends to this day.
Thierry was very involved with sport and played everything that he could including rugby,
athletics, swimming and was a good tennis player together with Michael Lipschitz and Victor
Lalieu (now in Brisbane, Australia). He was a member of the 1st tennis and rugby teams. Brother
Timothy coached the 1st rugby team and became headmaster of the school in 1975.
Academically Thierry did well and together with John Wallington achieved the studies scroll
requiring an average of 60%. He came in late to the school but was accepted and eventually
became a prefect.
Thierry remembers Brothers such as Br Timothy, Br Ezekiel, Br Andrew, Mr Sanders and Mrs
Trudy Elliott. His colleagues included boys such as John Wallington, Case Schilperoot, Marshall
Walford, John Swingler and Mike Black. He has fond memories of assemblies, prize giving,
competitions and big events, debating, swimming galas and water polo matches. Champagnat
day was however not such a big event. Of his last day he recalls nothing remarkable, he has
very fond memories of the school and is proud to have been a pupil and sent his sons to St
David’s although they wanted to go to boarding school, being a boy thing, and one son went
initially to St Andrews and then St David’s and the other two went firstly to St David’s and
afterwards to Michaelhouse.
Thierry recalls that there were issues involved with transition in the school with the boarding
closing and other mostly political issues. The Marist Brothers underwent a tough time and
Brother Jude was very involved with the major issues of the time and the accompanying
financial restraints. The brothers were very good at teaching the boys about what was
happening in the country at the time and were rumoured to have given shelter to members of
the ANC. However there were no more brothers coming in to the country and the schools began
to introduce lay headmasters and teachers.
On leaving St David’s Thierry was awarded a bursary by Anglo American and studied
accounting and commerce at Wits University but eventually served articles and worked as an
accountant with Deloittes. He is currently executive chairman and founder of the Metier Group
based in Johannesburg. The company gives investment advice to “Love Life” and runs their
investment programme, the company’s general social responsibility being currently quite strong.
Thierry is a member of MOBS and spent 5 years on the board of St David’s Foundation, was the
first chairman in 2006 and recalls that it was initially tough going. He thinks the school still has
good values and although it may now be run as a business it has good educational principles
and values. The school has close ties to the Vatican which owns the grounds that the school
leases.
Some ideas or projects he would like to see happening within the school:
Perhaps the boys could adopt a year tracing the old boys in that year and get in touch with them
with the idea of putting contemporaries in different decades in touch with each other.
He would like to see the school yearbooks on the school website.
JE February 2012

Interview with Tim Forssman – 2004
According to his father Mark, Tim wasn’t very happy on his first day at St David’s and during the
second week jumped off the jungle gym by accident breaking his arm. Whilst in the junior school
Tim played soccer, cricket and was in the swimming team, water polo and cross country. He
was in the “A” swimming team and won some awards, notably for backstroke and freestyle and
was consistently in the top three swimmers in his age group.
When he was in grade 2, he and some other boys used to play in the area which is now the
astro turf and they were convinced that a dilapidated building, which housed a couple of ground
staff, was haunted and often used to get inside and explore. The deaths of two of the ground
staff had actually occurred in the building previously, which his father had told him about and
sent his imagination running wild.
In high school he also played rugby, was in the swimming and water polo team and again had to
participate in cross country. Tim also assisted with the SMILE programme and enjoyed Music.
He also really enjoyed Champagnat day and having a free non-academic day.
Tim remembers some of the teachers, Mr Mcmillan who used to use his cricket bat to jack boys
in trouble; Mr Van den Berg with his dry sense of humour; Mrs Kennedy; Miss Cambitzis; Mrs
Human; Mrs Marais. Mrs Roman; Mr Dave Smith; Mr Gaffney; Marius Buys; Mrs Cotton; Mrs
Snyman; Father Michael and Reverend Bruce.
Tim was academically average but managed to get 2 distinctions in matric. The turning point for
him was the cultural tour to Egypt in 2004 which influenced his eventual choice of archaeology
as a career.
During the time Tim was in the high school, a Chinese boy Mark Ma joined the school, he
couldn’t speak a word of English and was staying in a flat on his own. A request went out for
parents to accommodate him for a term and eventually after boarding with a couple of families,
the Forssman’s said he could stay with them and he ended up staying with them for 3 years in
standard 9, 10 and for his first year of varsity at Wits studying BSc Building. Mark’s father was
major of a district of Chong Ching which has a population of 32 million people. Tim and his
brother Chris visited him in China in 2009 with Warren and Justin Bessler and Jordan
Forssman. They spent 3 weeks travelling around China visiting some of the major cities and
attractions and spending much time with the Ma family.
Mark recalled another occasion when Tim was running up towards the high school quad
followed by his father, when Br Timothy, who was visiting the school shouted out “That boy must
be a Forssman”.
Tim remembered a time when he and some other matrics were up to a bit of mischief and
decided that it would be great fun to run across the swimming pool on the insulation mats. They
weren’t quite successful in their attempt to run the length of the pool but unintentionally were
tearing them apart and all the little blue balls that were encased in the mats started to come out
and spread across the pool. They were caught by an irate Mrs Snyman whilst vainly trying to
collect all the little balls. Fortunately for them they didn’t hear anymore about the incident.
Tim’s matric dance was held at the Wanderer’s Club and the theme was Studio 54 and the after
party was held at the Red Sun in Rivonia.
When Tim matriculated he went on to Wits University where he studied for a BA, then upgraded
to a BSc and in his honours year specialised in archaeology and geography. He completed his
Masters and PhD in Archaeology doing research in northern South Africa in the Limpopo area.
He is currently undertaking his PhD research at Oxford University and in Botswana. He has
recently completed a book on Bushman Rock Art which will be coming out in May.
JLE April 2012

Interview with Tim Johnson – 2003
Tim first came to St David’s from Buccleuch primary in grade 3. His sister was going to high school and the
timing was right for him to change. Tim thinks that St David’s was the only school that he and his parents
looked at. It was difficult at first as all the boys were a tightly knit group and had all started together
however he got to know Michael Thomas and he is currently still his closest friend and they have tendered
for the MOBS home together.
Tim was not really into sports but enjoyed the extra-curricular sport which helped him break the ice with the
other boys. He eventually dropped cricket and concentrated on swimming and played some soccer in the
winter. From grade 5 his swimming became full-time and he got to know Willy Castle well. The prep
swimming team was very successful and unbeaten in grades 5, 6,and 7. In grade7, Tim together with Kyle
Biller went to Germany with the Wanderers swimming club and swam in an international gala. It was a
great experience and they joined in some serious training sessions.
In the high school Tim also played rugby and thoroughly enjoyed it being a member of both A and B teams.
His main sport was still swimming which he took very seriously training both at school and after school and
made both Provincial and Senior National teams. He also was a member of the water polo team, qualified
for the Provincial team and was captain of the 1st team in matric. Sadly he missed out on the rugby tour to
Argentina having given up rugby for swimming.
Tim continued his water polo at Wits University and went to Australia representing Wits University at the
university games. He plays for MOBS and participated in the fund raiser in memory of Justin Bessler.
Of the teachers In the prep Willy Castle was an iconic figure and Tim believed that he helped push him
beyond his boundaries in terms of sport. Tim has remained close to Rick Wilson and found him to be a
genuine, sincere person. Mandy Everson was a particularly good teacher. In the high school, Rod Smith
was a real character; Debbi Cameron cared so much about the boys; Lizanne Nagy held her ground even
though the boys gave her such a hard time and Dave Smith was also a character with a good persona.
Father Brewer held Mass in the old chapel and Tim remembers kneeling on the hard wooden benches and
also that Father Brewer had a scottish terrier and Mr Van Der Merwe a border collie. Paul Edey stands out
as headmaster and as a very good History teacher. Tim thought it was his most interesting subject because
of Paul’s energy and enthusiasm. Tim left St David’s in grade 10 as he wanted to be independent; he went
to Kingswood in Grahamstown but didn’t last long. There were problems at the school but Paul accepted
him back unconditionally. After that experience Tim thought he was number one as headmaster and he
also had great respect for Malcolm Williams.
Academically Tim felt that he could have applied himself a bit more but his real passion and time was
dedicated to sport. However he was in the top class most of the time in high school with Art becoming his
favourite subject and loved the practical aspect of the subject. He was interested in and enjoyed Maths,
Annabel Cotton made Physics exciting and Dave Smith was always entertaining in Geography.
Tim became a prefect and was awarded an honours blazer, specific honours swimming and water polo and
general honours for sport, leadership and merit. He also received many awards for sport and at the annual
prize giving in 2003 was awarded the Reeves Trophy for senior swimmer of the year and the Clark Atwell
Trophy for water polo player of the year.
Special events that Tim remembers are when Marcellin Champagnat was canonised in 1999 and a huge
joint mass was held with all the other schools. His matric dance wasn’t that memorable but the fireworks
evening was, from the beginning on the most favourite evenings when the school took on a different
persona. Champagnat day was always good fun and he remembers the “tug of war” in the prep. Ash
Wednesday was also memorable and although Tim wasn’t Catholic he was exposed to religion and the
Catholic ways and tradition and found it interesting although it was never imposed upon him. Reverend
Bruce was also significant and Tim always enjoyed his lessons which always had a story or strong
message.
The mixed swimming and inter-house night galas were always great fun especially with the girls around.
Tim enjoyed the inter-house plays and always played a minor role. Inter- house events were always fun.
After matriculating, Tim went to Wits University to study BA Architecture and won the People’s Award in his
2nd year for design of a Transvaal home using steel. At the end of the third year they had to do a Gap year
and Tim spent the 1st year in Johannesburg and then went onto London for a further year. He then studied
further for another 2 years doing his BA Hons and then Masters - MArch.Prof. and his thesis focused on
Joubert Park and the Johannesburg Art Gallery.
Tim’s current employer taught him at Wits and offered him a job at her practice, Sarah Calburn Architects.
He deals in mainly residential tailor made houses for specific clients. He has also started his own company
Greenspace Studio and his aim is to be involved in medium scale social and commercial buildings.
Tim is a member of MOBS and has participated in the matric rite of passage.
JLE December 2013

Interview with Timothy Marsay – 1970
In the November of 1963 Tim moved with his 8 brothers and sisters from Leeds in the UK to South Africa,
as his father had been offered a position with Crossley Carpets as marketing manager.
Tim began his career at St David’s in 1964 aged 10 coming from a Catholic family. The family initially lived
in Fourways on a guest farm before moving to Houghton.
In those days there was an A and B stream and Tim was initially relegated to the B stream moving up to the
A stream in standard 5. It was a complete culture change with a different climate and he had to learn
another type of History and Geography plus another language, Afrikaans. Tim was third in line with six
brothers of whom 5 attended St David’s the younger one going elsewhere. Three of his brothers eventually
matriculated at De La Salle the family was then living in Ferndale.
Br Anthony (Oanges) was the headmaster and Tim remembers struggling to adapt through standard 4 until
standard 5. He participated in soccer and athletics and eventually made some friends which made life
much easier.
His teacher in standard 4 was Mrs Dunsford-White, standard 5, Mrs Kenesovich, a lovely lady but a battleaxe
and Mrs Kempster. Tim’s mother also taught at St David’s for a while. Willy Castle was age 11 in
standard 6, far too young for his class, however he had a strong personality and after his matric in 1968 he
went into the air force and repeated matric in 1970.
In the high school from standard 6 there were two classes for each standard. Tim got very involved with
running formerly a timid child in the prep school he became more confident as he achieved on the sports
field. There was a big race against Marist Observatory and although U13 he ran in the U15 mile and won
the race with his older brother Andrew coming in second. The following Monday, at assembly Br Anthony
announced his achievement which put Tim on the map. He was so successful with his running that he was
prevented from playing rugby in case he was injured. In standard 7 at an athletics meet at Jeppe wearing
borrowed spikes he was observed by a Springbok runner who advised him to rather run barefoot than in illfitting
shoes. Tim then started running at club athletics and inter-provincial events. He was bottom of the
league in club running but eventually represented the province from the age of 16 onwards and Southern
Transvaal in cross country.
He ran for Diggers an Afrikaans speaking club. This improved his Afrikaans but not quite in the way that his
teacher Mr Malan would have liked. He was called out and asked if he was mixing with Afrikaans boys and
it was pointed out to him that certain words were not quite the adjectives to be used in polite conversation!
In 1970 Tim broke the record for the 800m at 2 mins 02.3 secs and the 1500m at 4 mins 17.3 secs. These
records still stand today.
Tim didn’t enjoy cadets and used the excuse of his athletics training to get out of it.
Tim remembered that when he was in standard 6 in 1966 the boys were each given a medal by some
military persona to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Republic of South Africa. He also recalled President
Verwoed being stabbed that year.
In standard 8 a new young priest, Father Tony Bailey came to the Rosebank parish and decided to make a
facility available to the boys from St David’s and the girls from Rosebank Convent. A disco room with a
coffee bar was built as a venue. This was fantastic for the parents as well as the young people who were
dropped off on a Friday night at 6pm and collected at 10.30pm. They were in a safe and supervised
environment and many marriages subsequently followed as a result.
Academically Tim did well and achieved a first class matric he wasn’t a prefect but was vice-house captain
of The Bishops and captain of the athletics team. He was awarded an honours blazer for athletics and
studies, received scrolls for merit, studies and athletics, was a member of the senior Christian life group
and in standard 9 received a prize for Latin.
After matriculating, Tim went into the air force for a year and then went onto RAU where he received a
bursary for his first year. In his second year he was awarded a sports bursary, the first ever. He studied for
a BComm Industrial Psychology but joined his father as a holiday job and is still working for the same
company W Marsay & Sons now known as Marsay Equipment. Tim got on well with his father and enjoyed
working with him.
Tim has two sons, Michael who matriculated at St David’s in 1999 and Chris in 2003. When his son Chris
was in grade 11 and fund raising for the matric dance, Tim participated in an evening when the fathers got
together and put on a show performing stage acts including excerpts from Swan Lake, The Full Monty and
the Rocky Horror Show. They sold tables and made R70 000 in one evening. Everyone involved thoroughly
enjoyed the event and Tim recalls being thrown out of Swan Lake as he couldn’t learn the routine.
Tim is a member of MOBS and is still involved with the school.
JLE March 2014

Interview with Tristan Schafer – 2010
Tristan came to St David’s in grade 0 in 1998, the year that grade 0 first started. A photo of himself and
Brendan Mitchell appeared in the local paper at the time.
On his first day he didn’t know anyone and Mrs Milne was his teacher. He remembers that Mrs Milne taught
the boys the alphabet with “Letter Land” and each week a new letter would appear on the chalk board and
one of the boys would be assigned to that letter. Tristan loved the twisty bread which he bought with
tokens and loved running around the playground and the jungle gym.
Mrs Nieman was his grade 1 teacher and he found all the teachers to be quite different, Mr Sinclair who
was extremely well read; Mrs McWilliams; Mr Thackwell an awesome English teacher; Gareth Dry who
brought a huge amount of professionalism and a completely different element to the school, Tristan was in
the choir and sang at the Linder auditorium in grade 6. He remembers the choir received a standing ovation
and also went on tour to the Drakensberg Boys Choir School. The headmaster, Rick Wilson used to come
and read to the boys regularly and his favourite story was that of “King Solomon’s Mines”.
Tristan was not a very good Soccer player but enjoyed the game and the Soccer clinics run by Willy Castle.
He got involved with Canoeing in Grade 5 and with other sport in Grade 7 and swam in the B team and A
team Water Polo until the age of 16 when he concentrated on paddling.
Tristan was an altar server for 5 years from grade 6 until grade 10, with Father Michael who was awesome
and also when Bishop Tigale came to the school. Tristan is not very religious but is a spiritual person.
Tristan connected more with the teachers in high school. In grade 9 he chose to do Business Studies but
hated it and then changed to Art with Anneke Carter, winning the Art prize 3 years in a row; Mohammed
Jena taught Maths and was an awesome teacher who gave a lot of his time and took the boys on a Maths
boot camp before matric; Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh was an old boy teaching English with whom you could
connect. Other teachers who stand out are Stephan Bauer and Bridget Fleming, Geography; Belinda
Marais who was kind hearted; Gareth Kolkenbek-Ruh and Gareth Dry with whom he did film study
“Shawshank Redemption“, “The Mission” and ”Tsotsi” incorporating visual arts, Music, and writing with all
art forms in one which was very creative.; Rod Smith was a cool guy, all the English teachers were good;
Simon Holderness was a great Maths teacher and rugby coach; Shane Lotter who took golf to a different
level; Will van den Berg; Dave Smith. The teachers were all there for the boys supporting a tradition which
holds the school together.
Tristan enjoyed the grade 8 camp, loved playing rugby and water polo and supported 1st team rugby. He
also enjoyed the weekly war cries practices. He still misses eating lunch at break with his pals, there was a
massive feeling of brotherhood and they all helped each other out. His best friends now are boys he got to
know in grade 0. A notable thing is that many of the boys in Tristan’s year went into diverse and
unconventional careers following their passion and included quite a few entrepreneurs. Brad Latilla-
Campbell went to Harvard, Barry Morisse studied Drama at Wits, Chaid White plays soccer for Jomo
Cosmos and Matthew Rigby studied Actuarial Science at Stellenbosch.
2010 was a great year for sport and gave something for the grade 8’s to aim for. The school needs that
kind of continuation. The negative thing that year for Tristan was that the prefects room and that privilege
was taken away and also that Chris Brown, climber who represented South Africa was not given an
honours blazer.
Canoeing or paddling was started at St David’s in 1995 by Willem van der Merwe a very kind hearted man
who helped many boys to find their niche in canoeing. Tristan went on prep and high school canoeing tours
which he found really cool and many of the boys became Springboks. In grade 10 Tristan was canoeing
captain with only 5 boys in the team but by the end of the year there were 25. Tristan firmly believes that
sport should be fun and is to be enjoyed.
Tristan became a prefect and was head of The Bishop’s with Gabriel Ally as head boy. Tristan was
awarded an honours blazer for canoeing and was a peer counsellor in grade 11. In 2010 for the first time,
all the prefects went on a camp with the grade 8’s and Francesco Mariano, head boy 2014, was Tristan’s
mentee.
After Matriculating, Tristan went onto study at Afda Film School covering acting, film and TV. He continued
to coach the school canoeing team for 3 years until Willem left. Whilst studying, Tristan won a few awards
with other students including the Ster-Kinekor Vision Mission award creating an advertisement for
disadvantaged children which he directed and wrote. Whilst on an exchange at Chapman University in the
US, Tristan was involved with a graduation film group that won pretty much all the categories.
Tristan has now started his own company “Old Soul Films” and is adopting that approach to storytelling and
is hoping to get into web advertising and web series especially in the US, Europe and the East.
Tristan was also involved in some charity work with Absa making 3 short films going into communities and
uplifting them. This included a bakery in Westbury that feeds the local children; a young artist in Alexandra
who was abused as a child; a woman from Somalia documenting her story and how life in Johannesburg
compares favourably to Somalia. He was paid for doing these films but then followed up on his own. Tristan
is also doing some pro-bono work for a girls’ orphanage in Malawi where the girls are taught sewing skills.
He will be filming a short documentary and will be involved in the building and construction of the sewing
room.
Tristan is a member of MOBS and would certainly send any sons he may father to St David’s.
JLE June 2015

Interview with Willem Van Der Merwe – 1981 – 2012 Staff
Willem joined St David’s as estate manager in 1981 at the time when Br Timothy, the then
headmaster left followed by the first lay headmaster Mr Murphy in 1982. Willem supervised a
staff of 20 including, ground, kitchen and cleaning staff all living on the property. Currently only
10 members of the ground staff live on the property. His foreman was Julius and George
Ndlovu. It was the beginning of the mission in Kuruman and Willem found that helping Br
Anthony was very special in the early 80’s. They couldn’t get tradesman in that part of the
country and Willem did most of the plumbing. Br Anthony was one of the best men he had ever
met in his life and was very approachable.
Paul Edey came in 1995 as college headmaster and got the school going again together with
the new development plan which saw many changes in the building and development of the
school. When Willem first arrived at the school there was no fence around the property allowing
access to all and therefore there was a problem with theft so Willem started to fence the
property in. He also constructed the roof over the terraces of the swimming pool. The PTA
funded it and Willem completed it at a far lower cost than had been quoted by outside
companies. Willem was also very much involved with the school fetes, twenty-twenty cricket and
the fireworks with this year being the best controlled event so far.
Already a paddler and, at the request of Paul Edey, in 1995 Willem initiated canoeing as an
extra-mural activity at the school. Willem has trained seven or so SA paddlers during that time.
They competed all over the country with the Duzi, Fish River in Craddock, Cape Town, the
Breede Marathon, just about every river race there was. The SA Schools was held in a different
province each year and Willem encouraged some of the weaker boys and saw the boys grow.
Alex Roberts was one of the best paddlers and the best team he ever produced was with Adrian
Gebers who was the first ever St David’s paddler to make a B final overseas in the sprints.
Willem is grateful that through St David’s he was able to give his sons Vaughan and Matthew a
good education. Vaughan, the eldest studied for a BSc Hons Anthropolgy at Wits University and
was the first person to go as a Gap student to Campeltown in Australia and now runs his own
recruiting business after trying various other options beforehand. He also has a carwash
business and was married last year. Matthew was awarded a scholarship at Varsity College but
he is now at the Design School in Greenside and doing well.
JLE November 2012

Photo of the Marcellin Champagnat photo composition for the Jubilee Year. The original hangs above the entrance door in the Champagnat Hall Foyer.

1 page from Finance Week 22-28 August 1985

A4 colour programme of 6 pages. 2 copies

Book - softcover published by Marist publications. 63 pages .Covers visits to places associated with the life of Marcellin Champagnat.

Prospectus compiled by Marist School, Atlanta, USA

A5 programme 4 pages

Book of stories and images developed by refugee children between the ages of 10 and 14.Class representatives collected material from all learners in their age groups.

Newspaper cutting

A4 hard copy book

A4 newspaper cutting

1 copy of Finance Week October 14-20 1982

1 copy of Finance Week September 30- October 6 1982

1 A4 page

A3 newspeper cutting

Progamme for the school fete compiled by the Parent Teachers Association

A5 Booklet compiled by the Marist Brothers

Prospectus

Hymnal with 164 hymns, 14 Prayers, 69 choruses

Recipe book compiled by Prep.parents

Prospectus

Programme for the 75th Jubilee Mass. 3 copies

Order of events for the 2016 prizegiving

3 small cards with prayer on back