Old Stithians Cape Reunions

Cape Town Reunions and Events

The Old Stithian Association (OSA), along with the St Stithians College Advancement office arranged a series of events in the Western Cape to reconnect with Old Stithians. Israel Skosana, Chair of the OSA and Alistair Stewart, Head of Advancement lead the discussions and presentations to our Old Stithians.

Wednesday 23rd March 2022

Collin & Chakkie Bishop (past parents & OSA Life members)  hosted Alistair, Julia Phipps and Caitlyn Loneon for lunch at their home in Stellenbosch. Chakkie was a well-loved past art teacher at the Girls’ Prep.  Their two children, Davide and Gabriella Bishop (Class of 2006 & 2007) attended St Stithians Boys’ and Girls’ College respectively.

 

The Stellenbosch Reunion was held on Wednesday 23rd March  was at Hudsons Restaurant.  Thirty alumni attended the function and there was a good mix of young and older Old Stithians.   Graeme Read (Class of 1963) is an wine maker extraordinaire and even has a wine named after him from  Hillcrest Wine Farms.  He spoke at length with Alumnae Nathalie Dieltjens (Class of 2016), who is studying her masters in wine making, sharing his experience and Nathalie sharing the research she is undertaking.

Dennis Beckett (Class of 1963), best known for the “Beckett’s Trek” TV series in the 1990s also attended.  A relatively unknown celebrity to the younger generation, he spoke about his latest adventures and projects.

Many Alumnae currently studying at Stellenbosch university attended and were able to catch up with Girls’ College Head, Dr Sally James. 

Thursday, 24th March

A small breakfast was held with Cathrine du Toit from the Bokomoso Trust (bokamosotrust.org.za/) This organization was started by a number of Old Stithians based in London who fundraise to pay school fees for children to attend better schools in South Africa.  The trust currently supports over 80 children including 1 child at St Stithians.

The Cape Town Reunion was held at the St Stithians Online School boutique campus at the Josephine Mill in Newlands.  One hundred and ten Old Stithians attended the reunion and updates about the College were shared by Israel Skosana, Alistair Stewart and Sally James. 

The Advancement office and the Old Stithian Association are working closely together to ensure the long-term sustainability of the school. The newly launched 75 by 75 Campaign aims to grow St Stithians Endowment fund and secure the future of the school.  We shared an informational video about this work which can be found here:  https://youtu.be/dMyxygfo1rs

It was a lively, fun event with everyone reconnecting and chatting with fellow Old Stithians.  A few current students were surprised to see some of their Marketing or Psychology lecturers attending the function, having previously not know that they also attend St Stithians College.  Fiona Nzau (Class of 2015) addressed the alumni about the scholarship her and her sister, Zanele Nzau (Class of 2019) have established within the St Stithians Endowment Fund.  The first recipient of the scholarship was awarded in 2021.

Friday, 25th March

A senior luncheon was held at Sotano Restaurant in Mouilleaux Point. The restaurant is owned by Old Stithian Brendon Crew (Class of 1995).  Founder Pupil, Jeremy Borchers (Class of 1956) shared stories from his early days at St Stithians.  Other Old Stithians attendees included George Toop (Class of 1966), Mike Walwynn (Class of 1966), Bobby Bertrand (Class of 1968), Ray De Vries (Class of 1978) and Rod Clayton (Class of 1964).

#OnceASaintAlwaysASaint #OldStithians #StrongerOneAndAll