On 17th and 18th September the SACS class of 1969 celebrated 45 years since they wrote matric exams with a reunion that was attended by 30 old boys, including 3 (Richard Prosser, Evert Smith and Trevor Zabow) who travelled from overseas; and several more who came from other parts of SA to attend.
Although some chaps had arrived earlier and made contact with old friends, officially the reunion activities began with a tour of the school on the morning of 17 September, which made a marked and very positive impression, particularly on those who had not been back to the school in many years and who enthused about the experience later.
A cocktail party was held that evening in the Brodie Room – addressed by Headmaster, former teachers John Badenhorst & Louis Knoetze; and two class members: Tony Collins (introducing raffle of his acclaimed text book “Commercial Property Finance, Development and Investment”) and Rob Fridjhon, who launched his book, “Caterpillar Seas”, 18 copies of which were sold, with each book sold contributing R80 to the Class of ’69 Bursary Fund.
The organizing committee recommended that the Class support a Bursary Fund to support deserving pupils who might otherwise not be able to enjoy the benefits of a SACS education. In view of the practical difficulties of collecting annual contributions indefinitely, the intention is to raise capital and invest it in a portfolio of assets that will produce an income that is likely to grow in line with inflation so that each year the income will be sufficient to pay the school fees.
On the basis that
- Current school fees are +-R30 000 p.a.; and that
- no more than about 4% of the capital value of the fund should be drawn in any year, it is proposed that the fund should be built up to a value equivalent to R750 000 in 2014 Rand terms; and invested to yield at least 4% p.a., while growing the capital value at least in line with inflation. Class member, Peter Bourne, a CA (and retired UCT Professor), who administers the John Ince Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Ian Banner Scholarship, has agreed to administer the Class of 69 Bursary Fund as well.
Excluding the raffle and the book launch ( which between them raised R2 870) and cash contributions on the night (R3 000), the reunion itself generated a surplus of +-R13 000, which the organizers had planned as a means of “kick-starting” the fund, which now stands at R18 886.50.
It was pointed out that contributions of R500 per month over 5 years would raise R30 000; and it would require only 25 such commitments to reach the target. So lump sum contributions or inflation adjusted annual contributions will be sought from class members over the next few months; but the organizers have already underwritten the first year’s fees. The goal is that when members of the Class of 69 return to SACS for their 50th reunion, they will be accompanied on a tour of the school by the recipient of a Class of ’69 Bursary!
The Class filled two tables at the OBU Annual Dinner at Simons on 18th September, where the camaraderie of reconnecting, catching up and reminiscing continued well into the night. All in all the event was a great success – and sincere thanks are due to Brian Fuchs, in particular, as well as Trevor Fish and Paul Rauch, who together organized the reunion; and, as always, to Sandy Edwards for her invaluable assistance, given so graciously and willingly – all your efforts are much appreciated.