The 2025 Chronicle

We realised we needed to make a fire for ourselves, as relying on a burning twig from another House’s fire wasn’t going to cut it. We searched for as many dry branches and small logs as we could to start the fire. In the end, we may or may not have had a little bit of help from a certain camp instructor, but nonetheless we were able to get a small fire going to keep us warm through the chilly morning. After another briefing we found out (to our dismay) that our first activity involved us walking all the way back to school and to the Van der Westhuyzen Dam, as we were doing a raft race. We all got into our Houses, marched down to school, collected the large blue barrels and long logs, and tried to figure out how to build the raft so it could float. We went with the “double-knot everything together and hope for the best” method, and some how it worked. We worked together to end up in fourth place in the interhouse raft race, and first overall in the camp competi tion. We happily collected our burgers and chips, and made our way back up to the camp, where we had a calm afternoon, ex ploring the lapa and the reserve. It was around this time that I began to feel quite hungry and hope that dinner would be good. But then we were all informed that our next challenge was that four of us (from each House) would be making the best potjie we could. Seeing as I wasn’t the best cook in the group, I left the fate of my stomach in the hands of my friends. Thankfully, they cooked up a great meal that even the judges found delicious. After cleaning the potjie pot, which I will never do again, I went back to the campsites and to a blazing fire. We were still on top of the leaderboard, so we went to bed happy, slightly aching but awaiting the next day. Day 3: The weather throughout the camp so far had been very unpredictable, so none of us thought it was going to be the very thing that came to our rescue. We were doing the big hike to day, to Inhlosane: 25km up to the barn, where we would camp for the night, and 25km back down tomorrow. Well, that was the plan, at least. Due to the violent weather conditions closer to Inhlosane, we instead had a 10km hike away and back to the lapa. This was nice, as we were joined by one of our B Block ers, Keegan Pattenden, who told us the stories of his E Block

Although I had wet shoes for the whole trip, and a lot of wet equipment, and wet hair, and wet clothes… I would say it was an amazing journey and a great learning experience.

E BLOCK CAMP 2025: MY EXPERIENCE Written by Joshua Hlambelo

Day 1: On the day of our departure to the camp, we all gathered in the amphitheatre, nervous but ready to embark on the jour ney. I cherished my last hot shower that morning, knowing I was about to go cold for the next few days. We began our hike to the camp around 8.30am. Despite the heat and heavy bags, it was bearable because I was alongside my housemates. We hiked round the side of the school, up Strips (which felt like a moun tain) into the reserve and finally to our camping spots to set up our tents. Then we made our way down to the lapa, where we were briefed for the day. Our interhouse challenges were to make the best House flag and House war cry by the end of the day. Despite the weather changing from blazing sun to misty rain, we were all inspired to do the best for our Houses. So, we got to work, to try and gain points and take the first lead of the camp competition. By noon, we had all the things ready to present. McCormick’s flag presenter, Olwethu Ntombela, and our war cry leader, Nathi Funani, lead us into the lapa, where we were to be judged by the teachers. It was a little bit scary to say the least. But with a good presentation and loud, screaming voices from all 12 of us, we felt accomplished. And so we left the space and went back to our campsites, ready for a good night’s rest – as good as you can get on a cold night in the middle of the reserve. Day 2: Waking up in the morning with the feeling of grass be neath the tent and a camp bag on my legs was a surprise. But I was glad I had rested okay, seeing as I was pretty sure I’d heard some footsteps by my tent in the middle of the night. We got out of our tents and into the foggy weather of the reserve, then made our way down to the lapa to collect our breakfast. After the Futurelife, apple and muffin, we had some free time before our first activity for the day.

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