The 2023 Chronicle

C Block boys on the Journey in 2023

the Nguni-speaking people of South Africa. The great house of Mpondo is situated in Lusikisiki and is called Qawukeni . The D Blockers experience a mix of terrain, from grasslands, thornveld and subtropical evergreen forests to the wet coastal valleys. There is not much that is more refreshing than drinking cool water straight from a mountain stream, or taking a plunge into one of the many pools, or walking with the cows on the beach – ultimately falling asleep to the sound of the Indian Ocean waves crashing on the shore of the east coast at night. Listening to local guides tell the stories about Khotso and the Grosvenor shipwreck, the boys and staff on this hike are enriched by the exposure to the traditional way of life. Storytelling, indigenous music-making, customary law, beer making, environmental awareness, the protection of our natural resources, and learning to bath in a bucket are all part of the curriculum that is imparted on this group by the experienced guides, hostesses and community members. Every boy and staff member returned from this beautiful trip with a new appreciation for our country and its wonderful people. C BLOCK JOURNEY Once again our C Block boys took on this formidable challenge and rite of passage with the strength and determination that an event of this magnitude demands of them. The journey teaches

them to cope with what they cannot control: the weather, distances, blisters, their companions. They discover their own identities and who they really are and, once the layers of comfort and fashion have been peeled back, how much inner strength they have. This is the essence of the Journey. Each boy experiences his own journey within his group, growing physically, spiritually, emotionally and in self-awareness. The challenge is, at least in part, a metaphor of the journey from boyhood to manhood. It is a journey each boy must complete for himself. No one else can do it for him. However, he does not do it by himself. The geomorphology of KZN, particularly Winterton and the Berg, provides unique opportunities and challenges for such an expedition. The Journey took each of the four groups into the wilderness and summit of the Drakensberg, along farm tracks and across open veld. They travelled by kayak down the Tugela River, slept under the stars and spent time in solitary reflection. The intention of this journey is not to create outdoor enthusiasts but rather to give each and every boy an outdoor experience. An opportunity to reset and rewire the stresses and strains of modern-day living. Although the boys found the Journey a difficult time, many, if not all, would not trade the experience for anything else. The valuable lessons learned will be etched in their memories for the rest of their lives.

Something happens on Journey, they leave the school as boys and return as young men! Michaelhouse has helped Dylan to grow and become his BEST SELF. Steve M, parent

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