When Abiye Bamson first arrived at Parktown Boys’ High School, he had a clear picture of what he wanted to achieve. Now, as the school’s newly appointed head boy for 2027, he is preparing to lead others while helping shape its next chapter.

The announcement marks a significant milestone for Abiye, who said his initial reaction to the news was a mixture of nerves and gratitude.

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“My nerves were through the roof!” he said, reflecting on the moment he learnt that his peers had placed their faith in him.

After taking a moment to collect himself, however, gratitude took over.

He said he was thankful that his year group believed in him and that the school had trusted him with such an important responsibility.

His journey to this point has not been without challenges. Abiye recalled starting high school on a high note, achieving strong academic results, making his sports teams and participating in cultural activities.

However, the loss of his father towards the end of Grade 8 changed the course of his school years.
What followed was a difficult period in which the future he had once carefully planned with his father suddenly felt uncertain.

“Before that, everything had been mapped out. My dad and I had always planned what I wanted to do and achieve. When he passed, that pathway felt gone, and I had to learn to navigate things myself,” he said.
Throughout this period, the support of his teachers, including James Furlonger and Kyle Reddy, helped him find his footing again.

Their encouragement and willingness to invest in him became an important part of his personal growth, shaping the resilience he carries into his new leadership role.

Leading by listening

For Abiye, leadership is not about having the loudest voice or being the person who gives orders. Instead, it is about earning trust, being dependable and making people feel comfortable enough to speak openly.

“A good leader is someone dependable and someone who listens first. You can’t just be a dictator; I don’t believe in that style at all,” he said.

He draws inspiration from former head boys, particularly Khanyisa Kraai, whom he remembers as more than a senior learner.

As first-team cricket captain and hockey vice-captain, Khanyisa showed him what leadership could look like both on and off the sports field, becoming something of an older brother who helped him understand the responsibilities that came with leading others.

Abiye is also an active sportsman, representing the first teams in cricket and hockey, as well as the second team in football. Beyond the classroom and sports field, he enjoys a wide range of music, from rock and soul to older and contemporary sounds, and values opportunities to explore new places through school trips.

Looking ahead, Abiye hopes to help shape the school’s image as it celebrates its centenary in 2027, bringing learners together to contribute to its legacy.

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After matric, he hopes to pursue an LLB degree, potentially at Stellenbosch University or Wits, and believes his role as head boy will help him develop valuable skills for a future legal career.

Having overcome personal challenges and benefited from the guidance of others, Abiye is ready to lead with purpose and help guide Parktown Boys’ High School into its next century.

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