FLIPPING BOOK CHRONICLE 2024

TRIBUTES TO STAFF LEAVING AFTER MORE THAN TEN YEARS OF SERVICE

RICHARD MCMICHAEL

BONGAMUSA “FISH” PETROS NDLOVU THEATRE AND CULTURAL TECHNICIAN

technically and tactically astute. He coached cricket and rugby to the lower teams, where he concentrated on the boys’ enjoyment first, but expected performance, too. He was nothing if not competitive, and there are many boys and officials who can remember being on the receiving end of some rather terse comments. In his later years he served as manager of the First XI soccer, a position where he made a great contribution and gained much enjoyment. After his role as Sixth Form tutor, Richard served as a tutor in Founders and Mackenzie, before being appointed senior tutor in Farfield, Baines and Founders. In 2009 he was appointed Housemaster of East to commence in 2010. Contracting a super bug while in hospital in early January 2010, he was forced to resign this appointment as he was seriously ill. The community of Michaelhouse showed its exceptional ability and heart as they came together to move the McMichael family out of East in one day, while Mary supported Richard as he underwent a tracheotomy. In 2014, after a long recovery, he was appointed Housemaster of Baines, a position he held for nine years. It was under his guidance that Baines underwent extensive alterations and rebuilding. However, he will be remembered by staff and boys alike for his great skill, empathy and concern in dealing with all of them. He understood boys and said things to them that they needed to hear in a way that they wanted to hear it. This is not a common trait. One of the last of a dying breed, Richard was an all-round schoolmaster. He is also a committed family man. He has a great sense of humour and a very alert mind. He is a rapacious reader, has an exceptional general knowledge and has a huge interest in current affairs, politics and numbers. He was a minimalist in that he did not like unnecessary detail, even when this might have led him into difficulties with certain academic officials. Life and people were cut and dried to him and you knew where you stood. He has been my friend for over 25 years and I could not ask for more. Finally, if you see him on his phone, which is where he is for large parts of the day, even while stirring his world-famous curries on the stove, don’t worry or disturb him. However, he is not on social media; he is indulging in his passion, he is playing bridge. Written by Mike Thomson 12

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he son of a teacher, Richard only found his calling after a few years trying out the commercial world. Starting at Howick High, where he met and married his teacher-wife Mary, he arrived at Michaelhouse in 1994, and his retirement at the end of 2024 will see the end of 30 years of varied and remarkable service. Appointed to initiate Accountancy in the school, he was also spanned into the Sixth Form programme, where not only was he the Sixth Form tutor, he also lectured Unisa Accounts 1, Economics 1 and Commercial Law 1 in addition to his other teaching duties. Richard had a passion for his subject and taught it wholeheartedly, as anyone who walked in the Mackenzie Quad near his classroom can attest to. His voice rang through the cloisters, explaining which side of the profit or loss line a particular entry should be recorded. He also ran chess and the investment club in those early years and was involved in the National Business Game from 1994 to 1997, coming second in the national finals in 1997. He was joined in the department by his colleague from Howick High, Rory Drysdale. Rory recalls that in all their years working together, they never had a disagreement, although they did have plenty of positive discussion. However, his overriding memory is of a schoolmaster who, although giving the impression of being casual, was anything but. Richard was a thorough professional in all respects: marking, setting and teaching. On the sports field he was exceptionally versatile, always willing to help in whatever capacity. He was a real team player who never sought the limelight, which is a pity as he was exceptionally

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ongamusa Petros Ndlovu, better known as “Fish”, stepped out of the role of theatre and cultural technician in 2024 owing to health reasons. He had served ten years in the role and had given much of his time to the arts, specialising in sound and set building, and later serving as the marimba technician. Fish gained his nickname before he came to Michaelhouse, being named after famous South African footballer Mark Fish because of his ability to defend with passion. Fish did everything with passion. He came to Michaelhouse after being a popular handyman at Rawdons Hotel, and was merged into the grounds department on campus, where he drove a ride-on mower. Fish had always been involved in choirs, running a few children’s choirs himself, and he had his own sound company for events in the community. During a production of Phantom of the Opera in 2013, Fish stepped into the theatre and voluntarily began helping with stage managing and micing the performers. He worked on and off in the theatre over the next year until 2015, when he was offered the job as theatre and cultural technician. Being passionate about music, Fish conducted his own choir, which often featured at the annual choir competition of the community partnership trust. His knowledge of the local area, schools and people allowed him to interact seamlessly with regards to the organisation of events such as this. In 2023 his choir were invited to perform as guest artists at the annual Two Schools in Concert at the Michaelhouse Indoor Centre. As a master