The 2023 Chronicle

humor united us, even in the toughest of times. I’ll never forget the day we clapped and banged our spoons on our pots to create a rhythm of joy and togetherness which led to chants of teachers’ names. They joined the crowded circle to bust a move. Little did I know Mr von Mayer could slide, swirl and sway like that. An epiphany smacked me: we are “Ubuntu”. Snap! Just like that “Ubuntu” escaped, far out of reach. I’ve never wanted time to stand still so desperately until I gazed into earth’s ceiling which had put on a show for me. A violent orange harmonized a delicate pink onto enormous white candy floss, and I marveled at it. In that moment, nothing mattered. I was unchained. During these moments, life really did feel like a box – but not of chocolates. We were only able to venture around a given space, a small space. Solitude. I proceeded to trod down my little dirt path where my very own sign stood firmly at the bottom. It pointed upward to where my palace was or, at least, what felt like a palace. I named a rock “baguette” (for obvious reasons) which now lies at home engraved with my family’s initials: “Z C R M”. Birds tweeted at every crunch under every step. The river hummed endlessly. Wind blew heavily and heat engulfed everything. Night fell, and it fell fast. Suddenly all the crickets came out and the unending “white noise” made me want to sleep. However, I was not sleepy enough to overcome the

rocks under my tent that drilled my back like nails on a piece of wood; not sleepy enough to overcome the heat and dirt that seemed to be eating at me. I found myself outside my tent again. Stargazing. Stars are like falling in love. On solitude, I chose not to take any food with me. During those moments, I also choose to live regret-free in life. I’m glad I pushed myself – I will always do my best and I will never waste a plate of food again. Solitude was, inevitably, life changing. “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get!” I set out on the infamous journey wanting to make it harder for myself as I was hoping to come out not only a better man but a better friend. So, I peddled and paddled harder; went back for the helpless; and took, merely, a tent, a sleeping bag and a bottle of water on solitude. Now that the yonder is finally charted, I’ve realized that Forest Gump was saying that life is full of unpredictable moments, both sweet and bitter. It symbolises uncertainty and how life has many experiences. We should embrace every opportunity. Just as we can’t predict the flavor of a chocolate from its appearance, we can’t always predict the outcomes of our choices. We must savor every moment, even those that feel uncertain, even those in solitude, because that’s what life is all about.

FRENCH

Head of Department: Ms Martine De Maroussem

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The B Block class wrote the DELF Olympiad in October and the overall score was pleasing. The B, C, D and E Block classes also enjoyed their annual outing at Piggly Wiggly for a pizza and a round of minigolf.

023 started with gusto with the NSC 2022 result release. The 2023 A Block class soldiered on with the new matric programme and they enjoyed the traditional matric French dinner that is held annually at Hilton College during the first term.