The 2025 Chronicle

and its people, Hugh remains a bridge between communities, history and modern Zululand. A lay minister at St Michael’s Ca thedral, he continues to live by example – grounded in faith, friendship and a lifelong love for Zululand. CLOSING THOUGHTS Zululand may not have the biggest branch, but as you can see it has heart, heritage and a wicked sense of humour. Our Old Boys span the globe, from Brocklee to Dublin, yet they remain deeply connected to their roots. Here’s to a bumper Quadrangular in 2026, more faces at La goon Lounge, more stories to tell, and more young Zululanders stepping forward to carry the flag. Go, House!!

wards the mouth – a spectacular walk through dune bush and muddy mangroves – while G Chennells and I (R Chennells) boarded the trusty Gondaleo 2 barge for a slow, peaceful float down the lagoon. We all reunited near the mouth, shared some biltong and stories, then headed back upriver, soaking in the sights and sounds of Mtunzini in all its glory. Talk soon turned to next year’s plan – with unanimous agree ment that Sunday is a far better day for an AGM of this nature. We’re aiming for a bigger turnout in 2026, with the same win ning formula: a walk, a boat cruise, and a long, lazy lunch. Back in town, we gathered at Vista Lagoa for a delicious meal – famous as always for its ice-cold beers, seafood and unbeat able views. It was the kind of lunch that reminds you why Zulu land is always worth the trip. During the formalities, I was re-elected as chairman for the year ahead. Our focus remains on building the Zululand Old Boys network – especially getting more names on to the WhatsApp group and database. The idea of reviving the Quadrangular Sports Day also resurfaced, and we’ll explore that more in the months ahead. Despite the small numbers, the camaraderie was as strong as ever – a reminder that it only takes a few Old Boys and a bit of sun to create a memorable day out.

BRANCH AGM REPORT Mtunzini, Sunday 17 May

Five loyal Old Boys gathered at the Mtunzini Lagoon car park just before 9am under crisp blue skies, with the lagoon looking especially welcoming. Although numbers were thin (we suspect sports fixtures and family duties claimed a few casualties), spir its were high as always. Lawrie, D’Aubs and J Chennells set off on the forest trail to

OBITUARIES

We honour the memory of our Old Boys with deep respect and gratitude. Please note that the tributes published here reflect only those notices formally received by the Old Boys’ Club. While we strive to acknowledge as many as possible, we regret that some may not reach us in time for inclusion. Each life remains part of the Michaelhouse story, and we hold all our Old Boys in our collective remembrance.

passion which endured and grew for the rest of his life. John maintained a strong affection for St Peter’s throughout his life, following its growth as it expanded to include a pre-preparatory school and a girls’ preparatory school to become one of the largest preparatory schools in Gauteng. Today, John’s niece, Catherine, is head of the boys’ preparatory school, the first woman to lead an all-boys school in South Africa. Although his father had attended St John’s College in Johannesburg, John chose to go to Michaelhouse. He felt if he was going to board, he preferred to be at a full boarding school. His parents acquiesced and he arrived at Michael

house in 1958. John was immediately popular and quickly gathered a large cir cle of friends. From a young age it was clear that John had strong principles and a sense of justice – always defending the underdog and standing firm against bullying. Whilst still in C Block, John fa mously booked an appointment with the Rector to protest against the expulsion of a boy involved in the notorious “train in cident”. John had good reason to believe that the boy was innocent, and held his ground under a pressured interrogation by the Rector. John thrived at Michaelhouse and partici pated actively in the outdoor life which the school offered. In his matric year he was

ANDERSON, JOHN REDMAN Born 1944, Died 2025 Michaelhouse 1958-1962

John Anderson was born in Johannes burg in 1944, the eldest son of Nigel Anderson, a mechanical engineer and Cambridge graduate, and Molly Ander son, a proud first-generation South Afri can of Irish descent. John’s formal education began at St Pe ter’s Preparatory School near Bryanston, north of Johannesburg. The school was only founded in 1950, so John was one of its first pupils. At the time it was very much a country school, which suited John as he had a great love of the outdoors, a

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