Hans Moore classmates reminisce after 45 years

When Francois Peenz first walked along the corridors of the old Benoni Technical High School in Liverpool Road and saw learners busy with their technical work, he knew it was where he belonged.

Peenz, who grew up in Petit, said the sight of the learners busy with artisanal, electric and other mechanical work pumped life into his body.

“When I walked inside the school and saw I could work with my hands, I knew it was where I wanted to be,” he said.

The school was renamed Höerskool Hans Moore in 1984 and moved to its current location, where Peenz and his classmates met to celebrate their 45-year reunion on November 25, in 1987.

He said the reunion was planned over seven months ago after a former classmate reached out to him and Andrew Koen.

He explained they have started an old boys club to ensure they don’t meet up after 45 years but see each other several times a year.

“We’ll have regular meetings as a club. It will be integrated with Hans Moore and everyone who was a part of both Hans Moore and Benoni Technical will be a member.

“We are also looking at sponsoring the less-privileged learners from Hans Moore so that they can have a good education, as well as starting an internship programme led by the companies owned by some of the men who are here,” said Peenz.

The reunion attracted over 250 former learners and teachers who shared hugs and reminisced on their days at the school before a formal function was held in the school hall.

Former Benoni junior mayor Pieter van der Hooven said it was exciting to see some of his old classmates but stated he was saddened by the state of the old school.

Hooven, whose father was the school’s principal, said he would have preserved the building and used it to house the homeless.

“I’ve seen it and it’s in a very sad state. If I were mayor, I would have preserved the building because it was structurally well-built and had large halls and classrooms.

“We could do anything in those classrooms – from woodwork, artisanal work and motor mechanics. It’s very unfortunate that has now all disappeared. But there’s nothing we can do. It’s all part of the continuation of life,” he said.

Dressed in his matric blazer, still decorated with all his achievements, Peet van den Berg, who matriculated in 1961, stated it was one of the best schools in Benoni.

“It was the best school. It was clean but unfortunately, now it’s an eyesore. The building could have been used to house homeless people,” he said.

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