Old Stithian Cape Reunions 2024

March 12, 2024 | Campus | Author: Caitlyn Loneon (OSA Secretary) and Julia Phipps (Alumni Affairs)

Cape Town Reunions

The Old Stithian Association in conjunction with the St Stithians College Advancement office arranged a series of events in the Western Cape to meet with Old Stithians. We are grateful to Celeste Gilardi, Rector, David du Toit Boys’ College and Zoe Bibbings, acting Head of Girls’ College for taking the time to join the events.

Chair of the OSA, Mr Israel Skosana and Advancement Head, Alistair Stewart addressed the over 190 attendees about the school and encouraged the students to get to know each other and enjoy the refreshments provided (always popular with the students).

Stellenbosch Reunion - Tuesday 26 February 2024

In Stellenbosch, the former Chair of Council and Class of ’91, Carel Nolte, hosted us at his beautiful farm- KleinBlouKlip! Carel has employed just over 50 St Stithians alumni in his company and is wonderful example of Servant Leadership to the St Stithians community and younger alumni. Carel also spoke to the alumni of the importance of networking and sharing stories and assisting other alumni when you can. He also showed everyone his beautiful rose garden that he has planted on his farm, boasting of beautiful “Simply Sam" roses in honour of Samantha Kirk as well as the Elsa Rose in honour of his late mother.

The beautiful Simply Sam and Elsa Rose Garden at Carel Nolte's farm in Stellenbosch.

Our Stellenbosch reunion was the biggest turnout ever- we had over one hundred Old Stithians come through to share stories, connect with the school and get to know one another. It was the perfect evening- albeit it was 39degrees at 8pm- but this didn’t stop the alumni!

Some of those that attended this special event was former Boys’ Prep Headmaster, Mr Alan Wyborn and his wife, Mrs Unity Wyborn, our former Rector, Dr Tim Nuttall, well known Commrades commentator Ian Laxton to name a few. Old Stithian Chris Mullineux, Class of 1994, owner of Mullineux Wines, was also in attendance and generously invited the Saints team to his wine farm in Franschoek for an exclusive viewing and tasting the following day.

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Calling Academy part of Calling Education

We had heard about a school in the winelands of Stellenbosch that was offering amazing education for young men for a meagre R7000 per annum. Intrigued, we arranged a visit to better understand their work.

Werner Cloete, founder of Calling Academy met us in person to show us around and explain the ethos of their work. The school was founded in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength. Calling Academy started out using the school buildings of the old Vlaeberg Primêre Skool, more than 60 years ago, the farmers and community role players helped to establish the school to serve the children from the local farms.

Many of the current farmers in the area are grandchildren of those original owners of the property. They have ensured that the use of the property remains true to the vision and mandate of their grandparents. The site is situated amongst vineyards and has breath-taking views of Helderberg mountain.

The 350 Grade 8-12 young men were disciplined, respectful and passionate about their school. Although humble, the school is offering high quality education and an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty in their families.

Werner and his team have now opened a second co-educational high school in Kroonstad and has been approached to consider another in Limpopo. We hope that their students will visit St Stithians when in Johannesburg and look forward to possible collaboration with them and their team.

Cape Town Reunion - Thursday 29 February 2024

On 29 February, we hosted the Cape Town Reunion at Old Stithian, Brendan Crews’ restaurant Sotano. We have celebrated over six reunions with Brendan and his amazing staff across his various restaurants in Cape Town. We are always so thankful and grateful to be at one of our Alumni establishments.

Ninety Old Stithians attended this reunion to connect with one another. A few UCT students saw their Marketing or Psychology lecturers attending and were surprised to discover they had attended the same school. There was a good mix of PhD students, actuaries, Caribbean cruisers, oils rig engineers, students, journalists, restaurant owners, teachers, financiers, and retirees.

Israel Skosana and Alistair Stewart welcomed the alumni and encouraged them to use this evening to get to know their alumni community. A fun quiz was also held to “test” their knowledge of the school which created much hilarity and laughter.

Friday, 1st March:

We hosted our Annual Senior St Stithians Luncheon at the Knysna Oyster Bar at the V&A Waterfront. We also invited our past Girls’ College Heads, Mrs Anne Van Zyl - who recently celebrated her 80th birthday and Mrs Ivanka Acquisto who was joined by her husband Sergio and son, Danilo Acquisto class of 2009. We also had Dennis Beckett Class of 1963, Ian Laxton and Mike Walwyn both Class of 1966 and Ian discussed his recently published book “The Final Lap”.