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

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

Interview with Christopher Emmanuel - 1994
Chris feels that school was the best and worst time of his life. He left St David’s as rather
insecure. The one thing that St David’s did not do is discover his singing talent - he is about to
release his first disc. He feels the brothers did well in introducing children of colour into the
school. He enjoyed having black children in his class from grade 0.
St David’s has helped him to where he is today and he feels that the boys leaving school now
are far more emancipated, more free, than his class was when they left St David’s. He feels that
the reunions are an excellent idea and it is a good way of integrating the older old boys with
those who have just left.
Chris was a prefect and head of The Bishops in Matric. On teachers through the years:
Mr Kotze – very strict and used to use the ruler often.
Mrs Schaafsma – he will never forget her
Ms Henning – she was inspirational and a wonderful person
Mr Rankin – Maths corporal
Mr Girdwood – was a brilliant English teacher
Mr Lambe – The Bishops housemaster
Mrs Marais – a lovely person
Mr Norton – the best teacher he had at school
Interview: 13 October 2010 GA

Interview with Steven Giuricich – 1994
Steven began his career at St David’s in Gr0 until he matriculated as head boy in1994. On his
first day he was dropped off by his mother, his teacher was Mrs Walton and he was befriended
by Dale Forssmann.
The teaching was of a good standard and he remembers that Mrs Snyman was an institution at
the school, very strict and a tough cookie. Willy Castle also stands out in his memory, also strict
but many boys respected him and still do to this day. Mr Brownlee taught Geography and was
housemaster for Osmond, Mr Cotze, standard 5 was quite fearsome, Mr Girdwood, English, Mr
Lamb married Antoinette von Guilleaume who taught Afrikaans. Mr Davies was the headmaster
of the high school, was respected and regarded as a good leader. Father Brewer was a great
man always there to talk to and very helpful. He was very involved with the school and the
sporting activities.
Steven enjoyed the sport and participated in swimming, soccer, cricket and athletics. He wasn’t
really much of a sportsman in the prep but came into his own in the high school with rugby,
swimming and water polo and made the 1st rugby team. He went on the swimming and a water
polo tour to St Henry’s followed by Midmar. He also went on rugby tour to St Charles.
Academically he was just above average and was in a small matric class of about 38 – 40 boys.
He enjoyed the drama and was a member of the backstage team. There was no outreach that
he recalls.
The matric dance was held at Oakfields Farm and had a medieval theme but the 1993 matric
dance was held in the old school hall.
After he matriculated he went to study BSc Building Science at Wits University. He then started
his own business in residential housing and renovations but joined the family business in 2008.
He is married with a son Danillo who will start grade 00 in 2013 and a daughter Valentina who
will be going to St Mary’s for grade 000 in 2013.
Steven is a member of MOBS and is still in touch with Kerry Gibson, Clifford Kopstave, Andrew
Harris and Robert Laing.
JLE October 2012

1A6 16 page colour booklet