SACS Class of 1989 Reunion
by Mark Duckitt('89)
Wednesday 15th December 2004 was the occasion of the
SACS '89 Matric reunion at the Hildebrand Restaurant,
Cape Town Waterfront. And what an occasion....
Thank you to the (26) 1989's who came from all over the
world to renew acquaintances, tell stories, update on
family additions and dish out business cards. A few "beverages"
were knocked back with gusto. There was much talk of Doodles
and Footie, Dog and Kallie, mischief achieved and the
school that brought us all together.....
After some unexpected "entertainment" hastily arranged
by "He Who Shall Not Be Named", and following a stirring
rendition of the war cry, most of the group moved from
the Hildebrand to take the evening to new levels of enjoyment
at various Cape Town nightclubs. Our thanks must go to
the "manne" who were "connected" enough to get a boisterous
bunch of SACS old boys into various trendy clubs free
of charge and without the need to queue....
The evening was a tremendous success and our particular
thanks must go to Robin Haller, Richard McQueen and Pierre
De Roubaix for doing all they did to arrange a most enjoyable
reunion.
A smaller gathering in mid November was also held for
Old Boys of vintage 1989 living in London.
Let us continue to "swell the name" and "spread the fame"
of the SACS!
Mark Duckitt
Class of '89
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PHOTO FROM THE 1938 REUNION
1938 REUNION - CONVENOR GERALD ANSTEY SEATED IN THE CENTRE
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MATRICULATION CLASS OF 1949 CELEBRATES ITS 55TH
by Ben Rabinowitz ('49)
Originally there were 57 in the two matric classes in
Orange Street. Unfortunately 14 have passed on and we
have never been able to trace 4 (Bishop, Hawthorne, Leibrandt
& Mason) Since the successful 50th reunion in 1999 we
have lost touch with Joe Schaeffer. This left 38 possibles
for our 55th reunion. There were two outright refusals
and 23 non available (12 overseas and 11 locals of whom
4 were out of town).
Johan Botha, Kenneth Penkin and Bennie Rabinowitz organised
two lunches. As Kenny was leaving for overseas a smaller
luncheon was held at the Radisson Hotel on Sunday the
28th March 2004. There were 6 classmates, 4 of whom brought
their wives or partners. It was a pleasure to link up
(after 56 years) with Desmond Kramer who had come out
specially from New York. (Desmond in fact left towards
the end of the 1948, but as with Lennie Hoffman has always
been included in the Class of 49). Gordon Battaliou also
made the trip from the UK.
The major informal luncheon on 31 March 2004 at the Hildebrand
was attended by the 13 who appear on the attached photo.
At a most enjoyable luncheon (over two hours plus), particular
appreciation was given to four who came specially from
out of town. They were Gordon Battaliou (UK), Mervyn Immerman
(Sydney), Desmond Kramer (New York) and Andrew Nesbitt
who flew down for the day from Durban.
Greetings (and apologies) were read out from Lennie Berlin
(Sydney), Ike Brajtman (Sydney), Llewellyn Du Toit, David
Hawkridge (UK), Lennie Hoffmann (UK), Ivan Lemonsky (UK),
Kenny Penkin (Overseas) Benjy Pogrund (Israel), Wynne
Rigal (Edmonton), Tony Wicken (Sydney).
Each classmate present was asked to give a short
synopsis of what he had done since 1949. A summary follows:
- GORDON BATTALIOU
Retired in Torquay (UK). Former headmaster of schools
and now active in Church and community services, successful
property owner. Children in the UK.
- LIONEL BLUMENTHAL
Popular insurance broker and Financial Consultant. Still
active in Cape Town. Son attended SACS. Daughter and
son in Cape Town.
- JOHANN BOTHA
In furniture business and now partner with daughter
in badge/names business Cape Town. Three sons attended
SACS – One son in New Zealand and a son in Hawaii. Other
son & daughter in Cape Town.
- CYRIL FISHER
Qualified Architect, sometime Insurance salesman and
then owner of a business making fruit juices. Now retired
in Cape Town.
- AUBREY (JO) HAYLETT
Semi retired Labour Consultant. In private practice
in Cape Town with his son.
- MERVYN IMMERMAN
Successful attorney (in the Struggle) in Harare. Represented
Zimbabwe at bridge. Retired to Sydney in 1999.
- DESMOND KRAMER
Degree from Wits & MBA in USA. Active as a Bond Broker
in USA, living in Manhattan.
- LEON MOVSOWITZ
Practiced as a GP in Upington and then qualified as
a pediatrician. He is still practicing in Cape Town.
- ANDREW NESBITT
Geologist for years for Anglo Vaal and who left to go
out on his own. He successfully found and sold a mine.
Retired in Durban where he plays golf.
- BENNIE RABINOWITZ
First of the 3 Rhodes Scholars in the class (Hoffman
& Rigal followed). Left his Attorney practice to become
involved in listed property and other companies. A well
known philanthropist and is now semi retired in Cape
Town.
- REX SIMPSON
Qualified as an attorney and then became a Doctor, initially
in private practice and thereafter in provincial service.
Rose to be Medical Superintendent of Red Cross Hospital.
Now retired in Cape Town.
- NORMAN SNITCHER
A most successful criminal attorney still active in
Cape Town. Nephew of Harry Snitcher Q.C and father-in-law
of Jeremy Tyfield. At one old Boys Dinner there were
4 generations present of this family who were SACS old
Boys.
- NATIE WAPNICK
Manager of liquor group in Cape Town.
Needless to say the camaraderie and reminiscences made
for a wonderful occasion. At 3 o'clock most of us then
went up to Orange Street to link up with others (older
& younger) to tour the old school. Again memories flooded
back. The only jarring note was the late cancellation
of the major dinner with partners to celebrate the school
175th on 1 April 2004.
We all agreed that it was incredible how quickly the
5 years had passed since the 50th and resolved to meet
more regularly. In particular we hope to have a large
table at the very special Annual Old Boys dinner on the
9th September 2004 to celebrate the 175th.
Standing (left to right)
Mervyn Immerman, Cyril Fisher, Aubrey (Jo) Haylett, Rex
Simpson, Leon Movsowitz, Norman Snitcher, Natie Wapnick,
Johann Botha and Lionel Blumenthal.
Seated (left to right)
Andrew Nesbitt, Gordon Battaliou, Bennie Rabinowitz and
Desmond Kramer.
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PHOTO FROM THE 1954 REUNION
1954 REUNION
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PHOTOS FROM THE 1959 REUNION
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PHOTO FROM THE HERMANUS REUNION
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SACS '69 MATRIC CLASS REUNION
by Dirk Kemp
It was a wonderful early spring evening – dry, but cool,
with some dark clouds over the mountain – when, on Wednesday
8 September 2004, twenty-seven of the SACS Matric Class
of 1969 gathered for their 35th anniversary reunion in
the Brodie Room. With about half the class now living
abroad and the rest spread across South Africa, the turn-out
was more than respectable.
What an interesting experience it is to find that one
can still be surprised to see people one hasn't seen in
the flesh for 30 years or more; and how disturbing to
discover that those old school photographs are of limited
value when you are trying to put names to faces. Not only
have our shapes and hair colour changed – the problem
is there is often little hair left framing the familiar
face! But some faces and voices remain instantly recognisable;
and so it was with former History teacher Andre Abrahams,
for example, while Doug Brown looks fundamentally the
same, if greyer, as when he taught us. Both joined the
'69 Class celebration along with John Ince and Gordon
Law.
One advantage of the more intimate scale of this reunion
was the opportunity it gave one to speak to classmates
one didn't get to converse with on previous occasions.
And our convenor, Brian Fuchs', suggestion that each person
say a bit about what they remembered most about school
days and what they had been up to since leaving school,
turned out to have been inspired. Inevitably one recollection
prompted another, usually more hilarious one. Yet as,
one by one, we reflected on how fortunate we had been
to have attended SACS, so a deeper, more poignant note
was struck. There were many references to old mates who
had not been able to attend; and those who have already
passed on were remembered. Candid recollections revealed
how blissfully ignorant many of us had been about the
circumstances of some others in our midst. We also had
no idea that our revered Headmaster, Robin Whiteford,
whose acerbic wit at times gave a cynical impression,
had discreetly but effectively assisted boys in need,
without anybody else noticing. In yet another way, it
turns out “The Boss” was setting an admirable example
to us all.
Many thanks to Brian Fuchs and Trevor Fish (and his secretary,
Moosh Bolton) for all their efforts in organising the
reunion evening, thanks to Trevor for the golf at Steenberg
– and to Peter Steele (who had flown down from Jhb – well
done) for saving the day when Trevor's plastic bounced!
The OBU Dinner on the following evening attracted a hugely
impressive turnout, especially among the younger Old Boys,
partly because this is the 175th Anniversary Year, but
the esteem and affection in which Old Boys of our generation
hold guest speaker and former Afrikaans teacher, Louis
Knoetze, must have contributed. And all the speakers –
John Ince, Trevor Fish, Louis Knoetze, retiring Headmaster,
Gordon Law, and new OBU Chairman, Mike Minnaar, were excellent
value. The new (much shortened or concatenated) version
of the War Cry was a bit of a shock to the unitiated,
but at least the '69ers all still had Louis' trademark
rendition of “Oh when the Saints” as well as the School
Song ringing in our ears as we parted company and breathed
in the bracing midnight air after a truly memorable reunion.
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LONDON REUNION
by John Ince ('54)
Well over 120 Old Boys attended a memorable 175 celebratory
re-union in London organised by our London branch chairman,
Carl Snitcher (58). Carl was assisted by Vito Da Silva
('94) and Gareth Halstead ('95) and his very efficient
Secretary, Debbie Skeate.
Old Boys had travelled from all over Southern England
and even Europe to celebrate the SACS spirit! Michael
Vincent (61) came from Holland while Evert Smith ('69)
and (Rev) André Hart ('79) (from Bristol), John Grierson
('55) from The Lizard, Cornwall. Michael Meyer ('68) former
London Chairman and stalwart Ian Jones ('57) were among
the large crowd of Old Boys.
The oldest member present was Neil Tyfield ('30) who
was accompanied by his nephew Lawrence ('67) and the youngest
was Cuan Cones (03) who was accompanied by his dad Nigel,
a member of the Schools Governing Body. Trevor Fish, Gordon
Law, our retiring Headmaster and John Ince flew over from
Cape Town to attend this gala occasion.
Dr John Hofmeyr ('34) who has recently published his
book “The Testament of a Doctor – A life of contrasts”
(The proceeds of the sale of this book go to The Red Cross
Children's Hospital, Cape Town – see website for details
of order) arrived early with Simon Walker ('70) and Frank
Fiser ('80), Iain Banner ('75) and Steven Blumenthal ('57).
Among the many younger members attendees Greg Espey ('91),
Robert Flude ('99), Nic Misplon ('97) Steve Teasdale ('96),
Andrew Higgenbotham ('94), David Fichardt ('94) & Sean
Turner ('96) to mention but a few!
This happy event ended with two war cries – the “older”
slower version led by the imitable Spike Espey (61) and
the faster more “trendy” version led by that out-going
high spirited Vito Da Silva (94).
An unforgettable evening of camaraderie and bonding of
SACS spirit!
Post Script: Our hosting Chairman of the London Branch,
Carl Snitcher kindly arranged for three of us to visit
elderly former teacher “Doc” Freund, during my visit to
London. The three of us – Carl, Reuben Berrill ('56) and
I – arrived at the “Doc's” home to a warm welcome. His
wife Kitty, had prepared a delicious “high tea”. Kitty
was at her best – warm and friendly – but the “Doc” at
93, is now very frail. However, when Reuben (a most talented
pianist) started playing a few selected melodies from
the old “SACS Song Book” (published by the Doc in 1957
– “Oh Shanandoah”, “Molly Malone” & “Sarie Marais” etc
etc) he warmed to the occasion, his eyes sparkled and
he joined all of us singing the songs which he taught
us for “School Singing” in the Old School Hall in Orange
Street, on Friday mornings. He seemed to find his vocal
chords and his operatic talents came to the fore! He clearly
remembered the words of each song and enjoyed our “sing
song' session. In fact he was reluctant to end our session.
Reuben visits “Doc” once a month and accompanies him in
his singing – they both enjoy their music.
I left, along with Carl and Reuben, uplifted and joyful
with a feeling of nostalgia, but happy with the knowledge
that I'd had the privilege of meeting and sharing a few
happy hours with one of the most loved, talented and dedicated
SACS teachers of the 50's and 60's – Doctor Hans Freund,
along with his beloved with Kitty – both of whom played
a major role in the lives of SACS boys of that era.
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PHOTOS FROM THE 2004 GOLF DAY
Top Scorers by SACS OB'S Trevor Howieson ('99) and Paul
Bezuidenhout ('99) At Golf Day
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PERCY IN PERTH
by Iain Cameron ('68)
THE SACS Old Boys network is renowned for its contacts
around the world. And when the Springboks arrived in Australia
for their Tri Nations test against Australia in July,
the Old Boys sub-union in Perth swung into action.
An email to the Boks' media minders, requesting a social
meeting with fullback Percy Montgomery, elicited the desired
response. Monty readily accepted the invitation to meet
some of the Old Boys - many had matriculated before he
was born but that was not an issue - for coffee at the
team's hotel two days before the big match at Subiaco
Oval. It was rewarding to see the plan come together after
the disappointing setback three years earlier when the
Springboks had last played in Western Australia.
Shortly after the success of John Ince's visit to Perth
in 2000, the Old Boys resolved to hold another reunion
dinner the following year. Plans were fairly advanced
and with the Boks scheduled to play the Wallabies at Subiaco
on August 18, 2001, the guest of honour was an obvious
choice: Percy Montgomery.
Tentative arrangements were made through the Old Boys'
network for Monty to join us at the reunion but an insurmountable
and unexpected problem emerged shortly before the Boks
left for Australia. Springbok coach Harry Viljoen, obviously
unaware of the OBU plans, omitted Monty from the Bok team!
Fortunately no such predicament arose this year and several
Old Boys had a memorable time with Monty, chatting about
our various experiences at such a distinguished school.
There were plenty of laughs as old memories were rekindled
and a great time was had by all before our illustrious
Old Boy had to excuse himself from the lunch-time event
to attend a team training session.
Percy Montgomery with (from left) Iain Cameron-Strange
('68), Harry Luchtenstein ('66), Dave Ellis ('64), Ian
Allen ('68), Kevin Penkin ('78), Jack Penkin ('77) and
Ian Calvert ('66).
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