Estcourt High School class of 69 reunites
The class of 1969 reunite after 50 years for an entire weekend together with a sense of togetherness and camaraderie
Des Morgan
Most of those still around will remember these immortal words of American astronaut Neil Armstrong – That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind – as he and all of humankind stepped onto the moon.
ALSO SEE: GALLERY : A journey down memory lane at school reunion
That was an event that ended an era and began a new epoch in human history; one which was to forever change the course of history.
But probably of greater importance to a group of 89 young, mainly 17-year-olds at Estcourt High School (EHS) in 1969 was their preparations to complete their matric finals successfully and begin a new chapter in their lives and careers.
Over the weekend of October 25 to 27, more than half of the surviving members of that 1969 class group, together with their partners, gathered at The Nest Hotel in the Drakensberg to celebrate the 50 years that have passed since the momentous year of 1969.
They travelled from all corners of South Africa – as well as New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Canada and the UK – to attend a memorable, fun-filled weekend of laughter and memories. Countless stories were remembered or not quite accurately recalled; 67-year-olds are faced with a few challenges in this regard!
It is difficult to single out a highlight of the ‘EHS Class of 69 Reunion’, for indeed the whole three days were just a continuous highlight.
It began with a bowls competition (rather an ostentatious title to give it since, in the minds of most, competition and bowls are oxymoronic), celebrated a wonderfully festive dinner on the Saturday evening, and ended in a touching prayer ceremony and celebration of a 50-year-long journey of life on Sunday morning.
The highlights of the weekend were undoubtedly the sense of togetherness and camaraderie after an absence of 50 years.
Few will easily forget their visit to the ‘old’ school, Estcourt High, on Saturday morning or the staff lunch on that day, where many of those who taught us in our years at the school (together with senior staff from the current group of educators at EHS) joined us at The Nest.
Keith Olivier, deputy head in 1969, and Bongiwe Vilakazi, the current 2019 EHS deputy head, inspired those present with their words. Indeed, as one member of the 1969 class remarked:
“With EHS having educators like Bongiwe heading up the school, it is in good hands.”
Current headmaster Dave Diedrick was unable to attend this lunch because of a death in his family. However, the climax of the weekend was the reunion dinner on the Saturday evening.
We were serenaded by bagpipes, singing by a member of the 1969 class, and an amazing presentation of 55 rhyming couplets recounting our years at EHS, which drew a spontaneous standing ovation from those present.
The class of 1969 was more than adequately remembered by its remaining members in 2019. Now to the next 50 years!
We extend our best wishes to all the Estcourt High School matriculants and scholars writing their end-of-2019 exams… and like the class of 1969, we trust that their journey ahead will be as successful and rewarding as ours has been.
SEE MORE: GALLERY: 25-year high school reunion ignites memories in Estcourt
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