This week I was pleased to hear of the news that my old stomping ground Benoni High School (BHS) is looking at the possibility of establishing an old boys (and girls) club.
I have always been a firm believer in remembering where you came from in order to know where you are headed and with an old boys club at the school everybody will benefit.
Even when I last donned the famous black and yellow “Chappy wrapper” there were murmurs and promises to start an old boys club, but they never really took shape, so it’s good to see that the seed has been replanted.
Just at the top of my head I can think of just a few past BHS pupils who have made their mark in various aspects of life.
Football player Bradley Grobler has played for South Africa and is currently playing for SuperSport United in the Premier Soccer League.
Throw Gordinho brothers Lorenzo (Kaizer Chiefs) and Anthony (Ajax Cape Town) into the mix and you have two more footballers doing it professionally.
Ex-Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez also attended the school.
Vusi Thembekwayo is a business and motivational speaker who has delivered presentations and talks around the world – he is also the youngest JSE Director in the country among other impressive things.
Tyler Reed is a technology entrepreneur and speaker on all things web and mobile.
Matti Buys is a word renowned wakeskater who is making big things happen in his sport.
Irina Domanchuk is a beauty and fashion blogger who is doing her thing in her chosen field while Samantha Feher is a fashion house owner and designer whose products are taking off.
Sean Nurse, currently writing for Caxton’s Autodealer, is another ex-Benoni High boy who is making a name for himself, while my journalist colleague at the Benoni City Times Kevin van der List is another BHS old boy to watch.
These are just some of the successful people who, once upon a time, attended BHS and who popped into my head while writing this.
There are many more.
The point that I am trying to get across here is that the school needs its past pupils to not only act as inspiration and motivation for its current crop of pupils, but as a lure for talented primary school children that are often lost to private schools outside of Benoni.
In the same token these successful old boys and girls need to be willing to take some time out of their busy schedules and give back to the school through talks and other interactions with their pupils and potential pupils.
Besides these “famous” past learners there are countless other old boys and girls who have a lot to offer in terms of sponsorships, financial backing, knowledge, expertise and skills in various industries and professions that could do the school the world of good.
By building this bond between the past and the present things will only bode well for the future and it’s terrific to see the school addressing this now.
Talented, vibrant and intuitive young people have been coming in and out of the gates of the famous institution for some 93 years – they simply cannot be forgotten.
So, if you once sang Alma Mater (the school song) at the top of your lungs and still get goose bumps every time you think of your school days then get on down to Benoni High on Monday, February 16, at 7pm for the first meeting of the potential “old boys” club.
LG
