Michael Merrett (’04)
Michael Merrett ('04), marketing manager of EvaluNet, deputy editor of Teacher’s Monthly and volunteer firefighter passed away on Monday 13 September 2010.
Read the tribute to him »
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John Ince (’54)
Tribute by Neil Veitch
Of John Ince, who died in October this year, it was said, and by none other than the great Robin Whiteford,’ No-one, other than John Ince, has better merited the Biblical injunction: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might.”’
Whiteford was not a person given to fulsome or unnecessary praise, but his observation about John went right to the essence of the man. John Ince did not believe in half-measures, mild approval or faint praise. Having decided on a course of action, he went for his objective full tilt, and in doing so, enhanced the life-experiences of all those involved with it and with him. There was activity, altruism, planning, enthusiasm, some drama, and an intense exchange of ideas, all around him, wherever he went, at every stage of his life. He attempted, in the very best way, to manage his world, and for most of his life, his world was SACS.
Born in the Eastern Cape in 1936 to a respected South African family, John came to Cape Town in 1940. His mother, Mrs Girlie Ince, who had been earlier abandoned by her husband, enrolled John at SACS Junior in Orange Street and there he received his whole schooling, at the Junior and High Schools. Having matriculated, he went to UCT to study for a BA in English and history and, with a professional qualification, he embarked on his true calling, which was to be a teacher.
While he taught initially at SACS from 1960, he had later educational practice at Dulwich College, London and also in the United States. He attained a further teaching qualification at Edinburgh University and rejoined the staff of his alma mater. In 1977 he was head-hunted, so to say, to become the fourth headmaster of Camps Bay High School. His appointment was unusual in that the School Committee as it was then called, ignored the usual ponderous Departmental procedures of vetting candidates and short-lists, indicating that it was John CR Ince whom they required and no-one else would do.
Over the next ten years, transforming what had been a village-school into a vibrant progressive institution three times its original size, John served also, during that time, a term of office as President of the South African Teachers’ Association. Overcoming the worst effects of the severe stroke he suffered in 1986, John subsequently taught for a further ten years, at SACS Junior, before his appointment in 2000 as Executive Director of the SACS Old Boys’ Union. In 2009 he took partial retirement from that office, continuing to edit the Newsletter and to undertake specific additional tasks.
John had met and married Corriene (also a teacher) at Camps Bay and, with the arrival of their two sons, Jackie and Richard, had the benefit of thirty years of happy family life. What is unknowable but guessed at by us, is the love and support which Corriene and the boys afforded him, in sunlight and shadow, for that time, sustaining him and contributing to the success of everything he undertook.
For the past half-century, in terms of an energy and courage apparently without limit, coupled with the most sincere concern for people as well as a vision for what they might become, John lived out and lived up to Robin Whiteford’s observation about him – that indeed, he did everything to the maximum of his power, and beyond.
The Rotary Organisation, with its aspiration to put “devoted and unselfish service before self” found in John a person whose life epitomized their ideal. Though he was not a member of Rotary, the Organization made him, in 1995, the recipient of their Award of Merit. For similar reasons, the Sean Day Foundation is to fund their new scholarships – the John Ince Scholarships – in his honour.
SACS feels so grateful that, in the last year of John’s life, the Spectemur Agendo Award, the school’s most prestigious acknowledgement of excellence, was made to him, giving public and formal expression, finally, to all that we knew and cared about him.
Everyone has his or her own ‘John Ince story.’ In the case of those privileged to have worked with or known him well, their cherished accounts are probably legion. But, many or few, what all such moments with him have in common is their reflection of his warmth, compassion, vigour and intense interest and concern for the other person – and the problem, challenge, opportunity or dream they might have brought to him. His immediate empathy with the star sportsman or prominent businessman was identical to his kindness and feeling for the loneliest SACS newboy. He was, by nature, ignorant of distinctions of colour, class, creed or status.
Teachers, at the end of their careers, seem to have little to show for their labours. Indeed John’s professional life might seem indistinguishable from those of any number of similarly efficient and relatively prominent educationists. An official history of his life would omit, therefore, almost wholly, the substance of his contribution to education. John Ince, in terms of his intuitive sense, his recall of the minutiae of hundreds of different individuals and their families and an overwhelming kindness, touched and changed the lives of a host of people - pupils, parents, Old Boys and friends world-wide – and always and only for the better.
Following a period of failing health and subsequent hospitalization, he died on World Teachers’ Day. The services held for him, the funeral at St Andrew’s in Newlands and, on the same day, a memorial service in the Hofmeyr Hall, were together attended by about 3,500 people and with tributes being received from around the world.
It is in that final acknowledgement of his powerfully enriching influence on the lives of so many that John Ince’s true measure and worth is taken. The SACS Family, Old Boys’ Union and both schools, know this, and warming to that knowledge, their gratitude to him and his legacy has no bounds.
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Bennie Shapiro (’28)
Bennie Shapiro ('28), the OBU's oldest Old Boy, recently passed at the age of 99. His son Anthony shares his memories of his father - from the Eulogy delivered at his funeral. Also attached is a letter written by Bennie Rabinowitz about Bennie Shapiro, sent to the Cape Jewish Chronicle.
read the eulogy »
Bennie Shapiro - a Medical Legend, from the Cape Jewish Chronicle December 2010
read the article »
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Duncan Rowan (’67)
Tribute by Andrew Rowan (Duncan's son)
Duncan George Rowan slipped away peacefully and painlessly on Friday 25th June 2010, aged 59, after fighting it out for a good two months in intensive care. He had been in a coma for over a month arising from a heart operation. He is survived and sorely missed by his wife Gillian, his children Kathryn, Andrew and Vivienne and his grandson Erin.
He was born in 1950 in Port Elizabeth and after his father was appointed engineer at the PPF Cement factory in De Hoop, the family settled in Heerengracht Road, Bergvliet. He attended Bergvliet Primary School, followed by SACS between the years of 1963-1967. As an active youngster, he thoroughly enjoyed sports including surfing and hockey, representing Western Province at a senior schools level for hockey. He was technically minded just like his father and so after matriculating enrolled to study for a civil engineering degree at UCT. During these years he made many friends that he would keep in touch with for the next forty years.
After graduating he took a job with the Local Regional Council, a job that he would keep for the rest of his life.
He married his varsity girlfriend Gillian Mackenzie in 1975 and they had Kathryn in 1977 and twins Andrew and Vivienne in 1981. They lived in Hiddingh Road Bergvliet for almost all of their married life, and he was well known in the community.
He will be remembered for his fantastically dry sense of humor, his mild manner, and his technical savvy. At home, he was most happy in his garage listening to his old records while fixing up an old car/appliance/project. He thoroughly enjoyed camping with his family and friends at Bainskloof, Arniston and Millers Point. He was great with his pets, various cats and his bellowed African grey parrot, Sweetpea.
Later in life, it was not uncommon to find him trying new things – piano lessons, a book on advanced welding techniques, hydroponics, sea kayaking, meditation, to name but a few. But all those things paled into comparison when he rediscovered his passion for motorbikes - he thoroughly enjoyed his biking trips with his fellow biker friends.
Through the years he had trouble with his health, but battled bravely through cancer and a couple of heart attacks. In May 2010 he was scheduled for a heart valve replacement surgery, which he ultimately was not able to recover from, passing away two months later.
A memorial service was held at Medway Chapel on 3rd July, in which a number of his friends and family shared loving memories of a life lived full of love and joy.
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Sidney Gelbart (’66)
Tribute by Herschel Gelbart ('62)
Sidney Gelbart was born in Woodstock Cape Town on 31 December 1948 and due to his date of birth always played sports with kids who were much older than him.
He was born with natural speed and strength for a young boy and matched most boys who were far older than him with these abilities.
Even at Mountain Road Junior School he excelled at soccer and tennis as well as athletics and was made a prefect of the school in Standard 5.
After his older brother Herschel went from Mountain Road in Woodstock to SACS in Orange Street in the late 50's, Sidney too joined him there four years later, but then SACS had moved to Newlands.
Here right from the under 13 rugby sides, Sidney was chosen to play for the A rugby side and he played at centre for his entire period at SACS for all the the A sides until he made first team in his matric year.
This particular rugby side was a fantastic side throughout their schooldays filled with talented players and which was captained by Phillip Liphshitz. I do recall such names as Nelson Babrow (who played along side Sidney at outside centre from under 13) - also Trevor Kaye on the wing and (John knows them all as he coached them).
Ssidney was also a great althlete and boxer and made the school teams ongoing throughout his school career. He was a most brave and strong person which was later shown during his illness.
After school, Sidney went to the army and served in Oudtshoorn, where he represented the army in his nine month stint and gained much experience and toughness while there.
When he came out of the army Sidney joined our father Mike Gelbart in the flock and wadding business which he ran with my late father for a few years supplying all the mattress & uphosltery in Cape Town. During this period, he joined Gardens Rugby Club and played under Alan Formam who captained a great side in those days.
When Alan left Gardens, Sidney then joined Hamiltons and played for them a good few years and became fly half for the first team as well as centre and did the kicking as well.
Sidney was married to Barbara Batten and had a son called Samuel who was approx one year old when Sidney got ill.
He was diagnosed with testicular cancer after he moved to Durban to join me in business there as plant manager and director of the textile plant doing the same as he had been in Cape Town.
As there was no facilities for treatment in Durban, Sidney returned to Cape Town where he had cobalt and radiation for six months but to no avail.
He passed away some six months after returning to Cape Town at the young age of 24 - he fought the illness as he had played his rugby - with total commitment and bravery at all times even at the very end he never gave up trying.
His son Samuel today is married and has two children.
His wife Barabra is sadly a second time widow.
His funeral was attended by large numbers of rugby players from SACS and also from the rugby clubs such as the likes of the Mcullum brothers who played against Sidney in those years. This showed the respect they held for him not only as an outstanding rugby player but as a well liked individual who charmed even his fearcest opponents on the field as a "good guy" and a good sportsman who played the game as it should be played.
He was most of all a true "mench" and this does not need to be translated.
We in the family Geoff Chait, Bertie Chait, Farrel Batten and myself decided to honour Sidney's memory by setting up the Sidney Gelbart "Good Fellowship Award " for future SACS boys who showed similar abilities and character while at the special school we all attended called SACS.
This award was won by such students as John Ince's two sons, and when one thinks that the very coach who taught and coached him at SACS's children won his award, it makes me very proud of my little brother.
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Ross Gower ('69) 19/04/1952 - 25/03/2010
Tribute by Allan Mullins
With the passing of Ross Gower, the Wine Industry has lost a good man.
Ross was larger than life in so many ways. He was an immensely talented and successful Winemaker and was highly respected by all his peers, both locally and internationally.
He was a man of great integrity, honesty, loyalty and strength of character, thoroughly enjoyed a party and was enormously good company. His sense of humour and zest for life made him a sought after companion at any social gathering. Above all he was a loving family man to whom his wife, Sally, and sons, Robbie, James and Doug, meant the world.
As a friend wrote in memory of Ross:
“The sound of your laughter is echoing through the vineyards tonight. Friendship is a gift you mastered to perfection, your glass was never half full, nor was the glass of those in your company, not just brimming with wine but with kindness, generosity and words of advice. You have left a gaping hole in the lives of those who knew you.”
Ross was born in Bloemfontein, younger brother to much loved sister Sandy. After attending Grey Junior he completed his schooling at SACS High School in Cape Town where he excelled at rugby and gymnastics.
Having decided at age thirteen to become a Winemaker, he enrolled and qualified at Elsenberg. He then got a job at Nederburg Winery, where he worked under the legendary Gunther Brözel. He was integral in assisting Gunther in developing the famous Nederburg Edelkeur.
From there he went to Germany where he studied at Weinsberg Wine School. Ross has retained valuable German contacts, many of whom have become close family friends. In 1980, the year that he and Sally got married, he was headhunted by Corbans Winery in New Zealand where he made a lasting impression and was promoted to head Winemaker during the three years he spent there. His two eldest sons were both born there and have both subsequently been welcomed back to study and work.
While in New Zealand, Ross was sought out by Duggie Jooste to become the Winemaker at his newly purchased Constantia farm– Klein Constantia. His first vintage in 1986 was widely hailed and his initial wines immediately reaped a bushel of praise and awards a clear recognition of his skill and talent which continued throughout his Winemaking career. His 1986 Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon are still regarded as benchmarks in the evolution of South African wines. During his 19 year tenure as Klein Constantia Winemaker he added Chardonnay, Riesling, Shiraz and Marlbrook, a red Bordeaux blend, to his stable of wines.
Perhaps one of Ross’ proudest achievements was his Vin de Constance which signalled the renaissance of the legendary 18th and 19th century Constantia. This wine had been much sought after by luminaries such as Napoleon, Frederick the Great, Bismarck and the kings of France and England and written about by the likes of Charles Dickens, Baudelaire and Jane Austen. After intensive research Ross kept as close as possible to the original formula and made his wine from extremely ripe, raisin-like Muscat de Frontignac grapes, one of the varieties which had been used in the original Constantia wine. This excellent sweet and luscious wine has gained international recognition to the extent that a book Vin de Constance has been written about it.
In 2003 Ross left Klein Constantia and he, Sally and the boys bought a neglected apple farm, Glen Stuart in the Elgin Valley and set about turning it into their own piece of wine heaven. Ross’ life took on new meaning as he and his family set about planting vineyards and building a winery. Through hard work, dedication and perseverance, the family made Ross Gower Wines an established and highly respected brand.
Ross always loved a fine glass of bubbly and was quoted as saying: ”I firmly believe that Elgin is a superb area for Méthode Cap Classique”. How right he was as his Pinot Noir Brut 2006 and 2007 have become runaway successes. It was no surprise that in the Wine Magazine’s 2009 Méthode Cap Classique Challenge his 2007 was chosen as the winner of the Rosé category.
Ross made numerous visits to the wine countries of the world and those of us who travelled with him found him to be a delightful companion, always combining his sense of fun with an eager thirst for knowledge. He became an overnight legend in the Loire wine village of Sancerre by doing handstands around the main square of the village.
Talking of Ross’ hands - which like him were large, strong and red wine stained - these were much admired by many French Winemakers he met who exclaimed “ My goodness, those are the true winemaking hands of a true Winemaker” – and how right they were.
Some of Ross’ Quotes:
A wine is like a child, one needs to nurse it with great care and love
If you don’t love what you are doing, it will be the first thing to show in the wine
The most extreme thing I have done for the love of wine is starting a winery of my own, but probably selling a kidney would have been easier
If I could have any meal in the world to accompany my favourite wine, I would request something prepared by the late Frank Swainston – but the food is only one aspect, it is the people that make it memorable
If I could invite any person to a wine tasting at my winery I would invite Madame Bollinger, because I admire her tenacity and style in creating the Bollinger brand and more importantly – hopefully – she would bring a couple of bottles of her R.D. (ps - Ross called his rubber duck Bollinger R.D.!)
At my interview for my job at Nederburg Gunther Brözel looked at me in my suit and told me there were no suits in their environment – I knew then that winemaking was for me
There is not much I dislike about winemaking – other than the paperwork and admin but luckily I have sons to now do this for me
Often Wine Judges follow fashion but one has to have a full glass or two to see that these wines often have no substance – I make wines to be enjoyed in small and larger quantities
My greatest pleasure is relaxing with a long lunch, good company, good music – and of course, great wines
I could not do my job without my loving wife Sally who is my biggest fan, consumer … and critic
Rossco, my dear friend – I will always remember you. Cheers, until we crack our next bottle together.
Allan
Colleagues gather to pay tribute to esteemed winemaker
From: The Cape Argus, 31 March 2010 by Murry Williams
South Africa's winemakers yesterday bade farewell to one of the legends in the industry, Ross Gower, who died on Thursday.
Leading figures in the wine industry held a memorial service at Thelema wine estate, Helshoogte, in the Banhoek Valley outside Stellenbosch, for Gower, 57. They heard how Gower had decided to become a winemaker when he was just 13 and had enrolled at SA College Schools (Sacs).
After matriculating, he qualified at Elsenburg AgrIcultural College in Stellenbosch and then began his career working under the esteemed Gunther Brazel when Nederburg Edelkeur was being developed.
Next followed a move to Germany, where he studied at Weinsberg Wine School.
In 1980 he was headhunted by Corbans in New Zealand. He and his wife Sally spent the first few years of their marriage there, as Gower both learned about and shared his recognition of his skill and talent continued throughout his winemaking career.
"His 1986 sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon are still regarded as benchmarks in the evolution of South African wines."
In 1999, the Gower family decided to buy a neglected apple farm in the Elgin Valley and transformed it into a wine own knowledge with the sauvignon blanc varietal.
He was then lured back to South Africa by Duggie Jooste to establish the Klein Constantia brand.
In the words of friend and wine expert Allan Mullins, "his first vintage in 1986 was widely hailed and his initial wines immediately reaped a bushel of praise and awards, and this estate". Gower planted vineyards and built a traditional rammed-earth cellar with his three sons.
At Thelema yesterday, owner Giles Webb spoke of the mentoring role Gower had played to a new generation of South African winemakers. - Mullins described Gower as "a man of great integrity, honesty and strength of character; who thoroughly enjoyed a party and was enormously good company" - sentiments echoed by others at the memorial.
"His sense of humour and zest for life made him a soughtafter companion at any social gathering.''
"Above all he was a loving family man to whom his wife, Sally, and sons, Robbie, James and Doug, meant the world."
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Frank Kossuth (’30)
(Frederick Francis) FRANK KOSSUTH was born 28th March 1913 and he died 5th February 2010 in Hermanus just 7 weeks short of his 97th birthday.
He attended SACS for his schooling. His great love was cricket, and not only played for the school, he played for UCT and for Western Province. He was also in the Governor General’s personal Cricket team, which he describes as “Village Cricket at its best”.
Because of the depression, he became a Chartered Accountant, and not an Architect as he wished.
After the war he moved to Pretoria and joined a firm of Chartered Accountants, where he soon became a partner. The Company becam Craggs Kossuth and Osche.
1950: He was voted Vice President of Institue of Chartered Accountants and remained an honorary Life Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
1961: He received a Leadership Grant from the USA State Department. He visited both Stanford and Harvard Universities and met many of the top Financial Leaders during his two months of travel around the States. As a result of this, he was largely instrumental in his Company becoming Douglas Low and thereafter Ernst and Young Chartered Accountants. This was at a time when Ernst and Young were the second largest firm of Chartered Accountants in the world.
1971-74 He was Chairman of Ernst and Young, South Africa.
1979: He retired as a partner of Ernst and Young, and following his heart, he took an Art Course at both Pretoria Technicon and University of Pretoria.
For many years he was President of the Pretoria Art Association, and in 1984 when he held a solo Art Exhibition, not only were all his paintings sold, but he had recognition and acceptance from all the top artists. Some of the artists also invested in and bought his paintings.
During his career as a Chartered Accountant he was on the board of many large Companies. He was Chairman of the Executive Council of St Mary’s DSG for many years. The idea of a Boys Church School in Pretoria was born during his long walks with the then Bishop of Pretoria around our farm just outside Pretoria and the neighbouring farm. He was subsequently very influential in the establishment of St Albans College for boys in Pretoria He remained on the St Albans council for 29 years.
Amongst others he was also:
Past President of Rotary
A trustee of the Anglican Church of South Africa,
President of the Princess Christian Home for many years.
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Eulogy for Prof Steve de Gruchy ('79)
This Eulogy was prepared by the School of Religion and Theology-UKZN. The original can be found here.
Steve de Gruchy was born on 16th November 1961 in Durban, South Africa, later moving with his family to Cape Town and matriculating from the South African College High School
(SACS) in 1979. He continued his studies at the University of Cape Town obtaining a MA in Religious Studies, a STM from Union Theological Seminary, New York, and a DTh at the University of the Western Cape in 1992. His doctoral thesis focused on the themes of justice and liberation in the work of the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.
As a young man, Steve’s commitment to issues of justice and liberation were evident in his involvement in the Students’ Union for Christian Action, as a youth pastor at the Rondebosch
Congregational Church, as a religious conscientious objector refusing to serve in the South African Defence Force during the 1980s, and finally as an ordained minister in the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa in Athlone, Cape Town. Committed to both faith and social action, Steve became Director of the Kuruman Moffat Mission Trust in 1994.
During this time he was engaged in establishing a number of projects to alleviate poverty, curb illiteracy, and promote theological education, becoming fluent in speaking Tswana.
In 2000 Steve was appointed as the Director of the Theology and Development Programme at the School of Theology at the then University of Natal. At the time, this fledging
programme was small and little known and Steve has built this programme to be recognized
throughout the African continent as a relevant and contextual centre of post graduate study.
With a strong commitment to the Ecumenical movement he has participated in a number of consultations and commissions of the World Council of Churches, World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the Council for World Mission.
Appointed Associate Professor in 2005 and later full Professor in 2008, Steve’s stature as a scholar grew enormously over the past decade with numerous publications in the field of theology and development, more recently in the area of public health and issues of water and climate change. He was passionate about the way in which communities need to regain
their dignity and focus on their assets in order to become more fully human. He has supervised numerous students who know and love him as a committed and critical scholar, pastor and friend. In 2008, Steve became Head of the School of Religion and Theology at the merged University of KwaZulu-Natal. Colleagues have thrived under his decisive and brave leadership. He was always full of new ideas, ready to relieve tension with a joke, and
determined that the School of Religion and Theology would be a centre of excellence within the University.
Those who are close to Steve also know that scholarly and activist pursuits are not his only love. He is a gifted musician, loves walking in the Drakensberg, and always enjoys socializing with friends. Married to Marian, and with their three children, Thea (18), David (15), and Kate (11), the family loved outdoor adventures. It was on one such adventure that the life of Steve de Gruchy was taken by the very waters (pula) he spoke so assionately about. South Africa has lost a son of the soil.
The South African church has lost a key theologian. The Ecumenical Movement has lost a prophet. And the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and particularly the School of Religion and Theology, has lost an astute administrator, dedicated academic, an agent of transformation, and a caring friend. We mourn his loss.
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