The 2025 Chronicle

the top three of the junior chess tournament and impressed judges during NIDPSC trials. Lelethu Magusela was a member of the Chapel Choir and continued the academic excellence of the grade, constantly achieving excellent results. C Block rose even higher this year, driven by determination, ath letic grit and the occasional academic miracle. Luseko Mthiba showed remarkable academic improvement while simultane ously collecting a cap for first-team 7s and being a standout player for the second team. Matthew Southwood delivered three 50s with the bat, stormed through the season with U16A hockey, earned a place in the KZN hockey squad, and backed it all up with four As academically. Akalipo Nseula mirrored this upward trajectory with strong academic improvement, a selection for U16B basketball, and a coveted cap for the U16A rugby team on Meadows. Ashton Watkin-Jones had a season of soaring growth with major academic improvement, excel lence in community service, his first A average for Afrikaans and, to top it all off, he scored 12 tries during the rugby sea son. On the basketball courts, Anesu Mutongoreya dominated, captaining the U16A basketball team, earning KZN selection, playing first-team basketball, winning the Michaelhouse tour nament and receiving half-colours. He also claimed the best mid-year Physics mark in his grade and achieved strong over all academic improvement. Lerako Mogalakwe’s year was no less impressive. He won the FA Cup with first-team soccer, won the U16 basketball tournament with the U16A team, and was a member of both U16A soccer and basketball. Evat Ng hiyolwa added further depth to West’s sporting strength with six caps for U16A soccer, captaining U16B soccer, and con tributing to U16B basketball. Academic improvement shone through in James Ralfe’s year as he soared on an impressive upward trajectory, while Max Olivier built a truly diverse port folio, playing second-team water polo and U16B rugby, getting selected to go on exchange, all while keeping an 85% average. Ben Hughes, as always, brought the sporting achievements of the House to another level, representing Sharks U16, being selected for an SA rugby camp, captaining U16A rugby, repre senting U16A cricket, and still finding time to maintain an 80% average with a green card. Harry Hughes, an absolute demon with a shotgun, secured his spot on the KZN skeet shooting team, and was ranked the fifth best junior in the world – an outstanding achievement. And finally, Leo Oliva rounded off the grade with style, winning the FA Cup with first-team soccer, excelling in U16A cricket, and showing off his lethal backhand slice for first-team tennis. The B Block positioned themselves as the rising giants of West: confident, capable and already contributing to the House leg acy. Rendani Nonge produced a legendary Michaelmas clean sweep, while Thandanani Zuma brought pride with SA U17 hockey representation and his first two goals for his country on the national stage. Corban Chellan starred as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, converting talent into theatre magic. Connor Hatfield dominated squash with KZN representation, and Jack Stevenson overcame his wicked slice to celebrate breaking 100 for the first time in golf – we are expecting massive handicap decreases in the years to come. Jack also shone academically and achieved a green card every quarter – a wonderful aca demic achievement showcasing his hard work and dedication. Skyler Nienaber showcased his blistering pace with two KZN sprint titles, and Max Oliva delivered 19 games for first-team rugby, while excelling in the academic and cultural spheres si multaneously, proving himself to be an absolute machine. Da vid Readman also caught the eye, shooting an impressive 81 on

of achievement in sport, culture, academics and whatever else they could find time to excel in when they weren’t losing their ties or queuing at the tuck shop. James Velleman announced himself early on when he made A-team cricket, and cemented his reputation as an outstanding sportsman by getting a few games for A-team hockey in the second term. Jabulani Nyenwa played his part not only in secur ing a Guinness World Record with the marimba band, but also in the great successes of the U14A basketball team. Callum Baird continued West’s longstanding tradition of producing top notch athletes when he finished fifth in the 16km Karkloof trail run, as well as securing a second place in the canoe marathon. Mbewu Sibiya and Jasper Crowe added another cultural flourish to the E Block’s résumé as they harmonised to help the choir to finalist positions in both the ATKV-Applous competition and the National Eisteddfod. Mbewu Sibiya also got the honour of going on a rugby tour with the U14A team. In the pool, Samuel Gilson made waves, placing third in the country for 50m breaststroke, and making the KZN team. Lerako Moeng brought greatness to West when he scored the fastest goal of the soccer season in only two minutes, and then got selected for the KZN Inland soc cer team. John Brink quietly clocked a strong season with U14B rugby and cricket, scoring a stylish 48 in one of his games. Pat rick Uriesi put the entire House, staff included, to shame as he read 80 books this year, while still finding time to excel in his studies. Silo Duma flew our flag high on the basketball court as he was part of the only U14 basketball team to emerge victo rious after a tough meeting against Northwood. Luke Robson dazzled us with his speed and skill for the U14A rugby, water polo and soccer, despite collecting injuries like souvenirs. Luke Archibald showcased his academic excellence by excelling in all endeavours, most notably, not receiving lower than 90% for an economics assignment all year – a true testament to his unmatched work ethic. Jonathan Hepburn started his Michael house sporting career off with five goals in his first water polo match for the school, and continued to impress with his sport ing performances throughout the year. As the D Block boys journeyed into the mysterious land be tween childhood and having to shave every day, they gave us a year rich in growth, character and excellence. Leading the intel lectual charge was Connor McMurray, a TARPS academic, top five student and proud holder of four out of four green cards. In representing KZN in debating, making his A-team cricket de but and playing A-team football, Connor brought tons of pride to West. William Robson put on a show on the sports fields with U15A water polo, rugby and 7s, whilst still maintaining an 80% average and earning three green cards for academic ex cellence, a truly exceptional list of achievements. Equally formi dable was Lloyd Evenett, an 85% aggregate scholar who also played A-team cricket and football, earned three green cards, and generally made overachievement look strangely easy. Not to be outdone by his mates, Matthew Gerber burst into U15A rugby and 7s, secured an 85% average, placed in the top ten academically, and earned three green cards. The Hatfield genes are yet to disappoint, with Cameron delivering an 87% average, representing U16B hockey, first-team squash and KZN B squash, and earning three green cards. Johnny Leondi dis added to the grade’s outrageously long list of achievements with valuable contributions to U15B basketball, while keeping an 85% average and collecting two green cards. Iyanda Mzileni added power to U15B basketball, strengthening the squad with pride and perseverance. Meanwhile, cultural excellence was secured by the one and only Massimo Buadi, who placed in

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