St John’s College celebrates 125 years
The Mzansi Youth Choir joined St John’s College in their 125th birthday celebrations.
The Burger Field at St John’s College was full of joyous noises of celebration as the school marked its 125th birthday. Celebrations included a performance by the Mzansi Youth Choir, St John’s war cries and the cutting of the ceremonial cake.
St John’s College executive headmaster Stuart West said in 1898 on August 1, St John’s College opened its doors. Its first headmaster was the Reverend Joseph Hodgson after whom Hodgson House was named.
West said they opened in a small house on Plein Street, which is in the centre of Johannesburg. “Mr Hodgson had a very good deal, because on that day, six boys arrived to be enrolled into St John’s and look at us 125 years later, a beaming-full and proud school,” said the headmaster.
Teaching the learners a new word, the headmaster said this was the school’s ‘quasquicentennial’ [125th anniversary]celebration. The headmaster welcomed the pride of South Africa, the Mzansi Youth Choir.
West gave some background on the Mzansi Youth Choir – founded 20 years ago – to showcase the extraordinary talent of Johannesburg youth. “As a school that is part of Johannesburg, we invest in the youth of the city but this choir is very special. In 2010, they shared the stage with Shakira in singing the Waka Waka song for the world cup. In 2018. they shared the stage at the FNB Stadium with Beyonce with their rendition of Halo.”
He added that this year, they were the first group ensemble to be awarded the golden buzzer in season 18 of America’s Got Talent. “We are thrilled that our very own [St John’s choirmaster] Sidumo Nyamezele, the musical director of the Mzansi Youth Choir, and Alfred Phakathi as the artistic director and choreography are here. The choir will be going off later this month for the live semi-finals and we will be supporting them all the way.”
St John’s Preparatory headmaster Lester Lalla said 125 years ago through the vision of Reverend John Darragh, Johannians, headmasters, teachers and the Community of the Resurrection, the school has occupied its place as one of the prominent schools in South Africa. He said it wasn’t always that way and so, “As we celebrate today, we are reminded that life is about contributions; if this great school is going to see another 125 years it needs you and me to contribute. So we celebrate with thanks, and we look forward with anticipation.”
Two learners whose birthday is on August 1 joined in the cutting of the school cake as the celebrations continued.
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