St Stithians Alumni Reunions 2026: The Power of Connection

Today, in 2026, that early vision has blossomed into a global movement which has become a vibrant, interconnected network spanning continents. Already this year, hundreds of Saints alumni have gathered across seven cities, from the vineyards of Stellenbosch to boardrooms in New York, and from the energy of Cape Town to the innovation corridors of Austin, Texas.

These reunions are moments of belonging and powerful reminders that being a Saint is not confined to time or place. It is a lifelong connection.

Behind the numbers are stories quiet, human moments that capture the true significance of these gatherings.

There is the Girls’ College alumna who, on just her second day in London, attended a Saints reunion and walked away with a job offer from a leading South African bank. Today, she thrives in her career, has since been promoted, and is preparing to marry a fellow Old Stithian; her story is a testament to both professional opportunity and personal connection.

Or the poignant reconnection in New York between Robin Fryer and Israel Skosana, two generations linked through mentorship at Deloitte in the 1970s. What began decades ago was rekindled in a moment that bridged time, legacy, and shared gratitude.

These are not isolated anecdotes; they are the living expression of a network that works.

The impact of these connections extends beyond individuals. The extraordinary success of Giving Day 2024 was, in no small part, strengthened by the generosity of alumni in the United States, relationships nurtured through these very reunions.

The 2026 reunion calendar has already delivered a remarkable series of events defined by connection, generosity, and shared purpose.

In South Africa, the year began with two exceptional evenings in Cape Town. Hosted at Die Stal at Stellenbosch University courtesy of SSCEFT Chair Carel Nolte, and at Sotano in Mouille Point, alongside the ever-welcoming Camps Bay Sports Club, graciously opened for the fifth consecutive year by alumnus Brendon Crewe, these gatherings brought together over 200 Old Stithians spanning eight generations.

Our sincere thanks extend to alumni Chris Mullineux (Class of 1994) and Delaine Immelman (Class of 2009), whose generous contributions of exceptional wines helped create an environment where stories flowed as freely as the conversations they inspired.

International reunions require extensive planning, coordination and relationship-building long before alumni gather in the room. From identifying and engaging alumni across different cities and countries to managing venues, travel logistics, communication and event programming, each reunion represents months of careful preparation by the Advancement Office and its partners. Having multiple school representatives present at these events also plays an important role, allowing for more meaningful conversations, stronger networking opportunities and deeper engagement with alumni across different generations and professional sectors. These reunions are not only celebrations of shared history, but valuable opportunities to strengthen the global St Stithians community and its connection to the College.

It is important to note that alumni actively request that reunions be hosted in their cities and generously contribute financially or through sponsorships to reduce the burden on the school. Their willingness to partner with the College demonstrates the deep affection and loyalty that Old Stithians continue to feel towards their alma mater.

The value of these reunions is perhaps most evident in the effort alumni make to attend. While some live close to the venue, many travel significant distances simply to reconnect with fellow Old Stithians and hear news from the school. In Austin, one couple drove eight hours to attend the dinner. Across every city, alumni gave up valuable personal time because remaining connected to St Stithians still matters deeply to them.

Toronto, 23 April 2026
In Toronto, 12 alumni gathered at the Elephant & Castle pub in downtown Toronto. Some have lived in Canada for more than 20 years, while others had arrived less than three months earlier. Despite their different journeys, all shared a sense of nostalgia for the South African sunshine and the St Stithians campus. After a long Canadian winter, the opportunity to spend an evening with people who understood their accent, humour and shared school memories created an immediate sense of belonging and community. 

New York, 29 April 2026
New York reminded us that the strength of the St Stithians network is not determined by venue or weather, but by connection. Rain forced the group to abandon rooftop plans and move indoors. Later, when the venue closed and nobody wanted the evening to end, the alumni simply moved back outside, standing together in the rain, laughing, reminiscing and reconnecting as passionate Old Stithians.

The evening also highlighted the remarkable impact St Stithians alumni are making globally. Afika shared insights from his newly published book on the gamification of mathematics. Tinashe is involved in advanced cancer research at one of New York’s leading hospitals. Devon works as a sustainability environmental engineer at the first earth data infrastructure company built for AI, while Kirsten is beginning an exciting new role at IBM as a user interface designer. The stories shared reflected the ambition, innovation and excellence that Old Stithians continue to embody.

Austin – First Reunion Event in the City
The inaugural Austin reunion, generously sponsored by Old Stithian Rob Lewis, was a celebration of connection and shared identity. Gathered at the Roaring Fork restaurant, alumni from different decades reflected on their careers, families and lives in Texas while reconnecting through their common St Stithians experience.

The following day, Craig Robinson and Matthew Briggs invited the team to visit their workplaces. Craig works at Waymo, Google’s autonomous vehicle division, while Matthew is the founder and owner of Four Hands, a remarkable large-scale furniture company and retail brand. Their achievements, entrepreneurial spirit and continued enthusiasm for the College were deeply inspiring. Throughout the trip, one thing became abundantly clear: Old Stithians continue to make an extraordinary impact wherever they find themselves.

London
The London engagements provided valuable opportunities for both formal and informal connection. A breakfast meeting with Michael Thorpe (Head Boy 1995 and convener of the Honour Code still used extensively within the Boys’ College) and Michele Acquisto, Class of 2007, created space for meaningful one-on-one conversations around philanthropy, education and the role St Stithians played in shaping their lives and careers.

Additional gatherings at The Lord’s Tavern and The Wandle pub brought together alumni across generations in true Saints spirit, reconnecting old friendships, sharing memories and reaffirming the enduring strength of the global St Stithians network.

These international reunions continue to demonstrate that St Stithians is far more than a school people once attended. It is a lifelong community. The work of the Advancement Office and OSA in nurturing these relationships ensures that wherever Old Stithians may live, they remain connected to one another and to the values, friendships and opportunities that shaped them.