A Reunion

This past weekend I was privileged, along with some wonderful folk, to celebrate our 50^th School Reunion in Oudtshoorn.

Oudtshoorn is a town in the Western Cape located between the majestic Swartberg Mountains to the north and the Outeniqua mountains to the south. Dubbed as the “ostrich capital” of the world, with approximately 60 000 inhabitants, it is the largest town in the Little Karoo region.  The town’s economy is primarily reliant on Ostrich farming and tourism.  Notable tourist attractions include the world famous Cango Caves, Highgate and Safari Ostrich Farms and various game farms.

Not only is Oudtshoorn recognized as a major tourist destination, it is also home to some very famous and noteworthy South Africans, namely C J Langenhoven, Etienne LeRoux, Pauline Janet Smit, Skipper Badenhorst, Denovan Ekstraal, Erwin Ewerts  and Wilma van der Bijl (Miss South Africa in 1987).

 For good measure and just to bring some context to this story:

• In 1974, Anneline Kriel was crowned Miss World.
• The Rubik’s cube was invented – Erno Rubik a Hungarian structure professor invented the cube to teach his class about spatial relationships
• Other famous inventions were the “Post-It note.
• Fondue (both cheese and chocolate took the world by storm
• Richard Nixon resigned as President of the USA
• Mel Brooks’ film Blazing Saddles was the top-grossing movie of 1974
• The FIFA World Cup was won by West Germany
• Stephen King released his first novel – Carrie
• George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali, billed as the Rumble in the Jungle, was a heavyweight championship boxing match, won by the famous Ali.

Apartheid was fully entrenched in our daily lives, Christian National education and state theology were guide -lines to our everyday living,  who we mixed with and where we lived thus creating a very narrow lens through which we viewed the world.

Against this backdrop, a group of wide-eyed, cocky, know-it-all, gangly young people left the confines and comfort of Oudtshoorn High School to enter and navigate the “big” world of adults – most of the young men were conscripted to the defence force, whilst others started their university and working careers.

In 2024, no longer wide-eyed, fleet of foot or agile, just a bit slower in movement, a few aches and pains and with gratitude in our hearts we regrouped.

What a reunion it was!

Our programme included dinner on Friday night,  we enjoyed huge dollops of conversation, laughter and reminiscing. As they say in Ireland “It was good craic and all” meaning that we all had a really good time.  Our Master of Ceremonies and co-host, shared the events of 1974, and much to our surprise he shared a wonderful message from Anneline Kriel – Miss World 1974.  That was such a highlight and added a beautiful touch to the gathering.  I was tasked to propose a toast to Oudtshoorn High School as well as a call to remember Teachers and Students who had passed on.  The current headmaster was in attendance at the function, and he asked for a soundbite of my input in order to share it with the pupils at assembly on Monday Morning.  As I was only leaving on Monday I undertook to attend assembly to address the pupils.

However, in all honesty, for me one of the highlights of the weekend was Saturday morning when the class of 1974 (some of us that is) gathered for breakfast and a time of deep sharing. In that space we caught up on our lives, our achievements, disappointments, dreams and hopes.  We were all able to share freely with each other, because we were assured of confidentiality and sensitivity to our stories.  On Saturday evening we were treated to a wonderful spit braai, great company and some shuffling around to Springbok Hits (remember those?).

Going back to school was such an incredible memory rush.  Walking into the school hall and onto the stage brought back sounds of laughter, noise, the sound of the school bell and the smell of chalk, all so evocative and sensory. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.

This is what I said to those bright eyed, awkward, gangly and gorgeous young people.

“Your Principal has very graciously invited me to share with you my input at our reunion dinner, on Friday night”. Frankly, I don’t think they quite grasped the concept of a fifty year timespan; however they eagerly listened as I shared greetings and good wishes from the class of 1974. Each and every one of my class mates would dearly love to meet and spend time with you.

I asked them to stand and remember all those who have gone before us and then went on to quote

            “They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.

            Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them”

Once seated I shared the following:

My fellow Struises, I have been tasked with proposing a toast to our beloved Alma Mater – Hoerskool Oudtshoorn – Oudtshoorn High.

“Buildings…especially government buildings like schools, by their very nature, are dull and boring, however, people bring life and transform a building and so it is with Oudtshoorn High School.

From the men and women who keep the gardens and the premises in a pristine condition, to the secretariat and administrative staff who ensure the smooth flow of business.

To us past, present and future students – the very reason why Oudtshoorn High School exists, and why it will continue to exist for many years to come, we owe a debt of gratitude to the Principal and Teachers who guided, taught, encouraged, cajoled and provided leadership to (past, present and future) Learners in preparing us for this journey called Life.

We are deeply grateful – we salute and thank you.

Please rise and repeat after me:

“Per Laborum Ad Astra”

My heart swells with pride and I stand in awe of the class of 1974.  Some pursued careers in medicine, including medical research, physiotherapy, teaching, ministery of religion, psychologists, human resources practitioners, hoteliers, financial entrepreneurs and social activists. The most striking attribute has got to be the philanthropic nature of each one of them. 

Let it be said that the Class of 1974 embody the spirit of Ubuntu in its purest form:

“A person is a person because of other people”