As the year comes to a conclusion I saw it fit to compose a letter of thanks, thanking the SACS 1969 Trust for the many years of support, for investing in my talents and for blessing me and my family with this opportunity. But I would also like to let you into my year, how I found it’s many challenges and how my final year at the Oldest and the Proudest school in the land concluded.
Pre-season rugby began promptly at the end of September 2019. The 2020 season was to be a promising one: two new coaches were introduced, each of whom carried an impressive resume. Mr Kleynhans had coached the SACS 3rd team for a number of years and had accumulated two grand slams, wins against Paul Roos and the best record amongst open level teams 3 years running at SACS. Another inclusion, Mr Wise (as his name suggests) a wise rugby mind and an experienced player himself having played for the highly successful SACS 1995 1stXV side, brought in with him an aura of discipline, hard work and an honest winning mentality. These combinations of great coaching only required a group of players who were determined to achieve what has never been achieved before. Work on the infamous Spencer Smith grounds began as we did manual labour, chest pressing tractor tires on common occasion and heavy gym work in the gym with the conditioning coach of the World Cup-winning Springbok side of 2007, Steve Macintire. New attack structures were introduced as we geared up for yet another tough but exciting season.
We were to go up against some of the best rugby schools in the land. Grey High, Saint Stithians and the favourites coming out of the Southern Suburbs, Bishops were some of the few opponents we were to face. But our main focus was Grey High whom we were to take on on the main day in the Grey Festival. But before our clash with them, we had to face our old foes, Boland Landbou whom we had defeated a couple of times in our age group fixtures. We took them on at the DHL Newlands Stadium, knowing well these few games at the stadium would be some of the last. Captained by Enos Ndiao (Duran Koevort had sustained a hamstring injury) we went out high in confidence. We had a bad start, conceding two early tries and the game already looking out of reach. But we had come back from behind before in 2017, to beat the same side in a thrilling game at Spencer Smith. But it wasn’t to be our day, and we went on to lose the game 15 to nought. Highly disappointed with our efforts we were determined to undo that defeat. We played Brackenfell in their festival, on the Saturday of our Matric Dance. We had another slow start, but our fitness and conditioning superiority paid dividends. Quick, well built and snazzy rugby saw us defeat the Brackenfell side 49 to nought.
We had built a good platform for Grey but our fixture against them wasn’t to be. The announcement of the closing of schools and the implementation of lockdown halted our promising season. But understanding the seriousness of Covid 19 and the many lives lost, as a result, I found peace in the short stint we had as a group. The reality of the disease only really kicked in when I saw the situation of many in my community. Sometimes we think we have it particularly bad, but many have it even worse. Violence in the community escalated, and the unknown reality crippled many families in my community. Financial difficulties and social difficulties were brought to light, and my only hope was that the youth could still be able to attend school as school is for many an escape from the gruelling reality back home. But SACS played their role in ensuring we aren’t left behind. Online classes began on Zoom and Google Meets platforms where English Literature, History, Mathematics and Accounting were taught. I received great support from my English teacher, whom I had built a great relationship with over the years. And as beneficial as the online systems were, it still didn’t emulate a classroom environment or mimick the same focus and space to engage in the subject. Home situations vary, and the systems only exposed the great gap of privilege in our society. Many of my peers got along well if not better, but having chatted to friends who lived in areas like Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Langa, a common pattern appeared: working space.
The Matric Dance was one of the highlights of the year. It was hosted at Kelvin Grove in Claremont, with all the boys arriving in their suits and ties and beautiful dates. I was fortunate enough to be chauffeured by my retired history teacher Mr Guiney. My date was my best friend, Thabi and she looked breathtaking. Upon arrival, our headmaster shook our hands and wished us a great night. The setting was impeccable, a pure white draping and spiral staircase stole the show. The night was warm and promising, and many thanks go out to Mrs Dawson who organized my suit and covered the costs and to Mr Guiney for the selflessness of taking us to the venue in a classic 1960s turquoise car (forgive me, I wasn’t too sure which car it was as it is before my years).
But all in all, the year 2020 was for many an unexpected change in our lives. We have adjusted to the norm and have come together as a family more than ever. I hope this year has brought you more and more close with yourself, but more importantly your family. And in closing, the past 5 years have been nothing short of magical. I have grown as a person, have been able to see the world in a different light and have been afforded the best of opportunities to attend a school I know you all have a special place in your heart for. SACS is now my alma mater, my home. Many many thanks go out to you guys, the SACS 1969 Trust as a whole for allowing me this opportunity. A young boy coming out of a community where you are stereotyped and the hopes of a bright future diminished, you have offered me the best of journeys and start in my young life. To Tessa, Ma’m I am forever grateful. I hold great respect for you as you have shown that motherly love to me. I will miss the trips to BP for a quick snack, the text messages of good luck for every paper I write and for always ensuring that I was comfortable and happy. Thank you. Your work doesn’t go unnoticed.
With love and great, great thanks
Hlumelo Ntweni
SACS Matric 2020