The Chronicle 2022

his team with a determined effort every weekend. Throughout the year, Khashane Maenetje performed consistently well academically, which resulted in him being in the top ten in the grade. He also proved himself to be a great footballer, someone many people enjoyed watching for the U14A soccer squad. Reece Cole was also part of the U14A rugby squad which just got better game by game, and his efforts were rewarded by a selection into the Sharks Next Generation squad. After your E Block year, having received such guidance and mentoring from your prefect, D Block can be a bit lonely. This bunch of boys accepted and welcomed the challenge. They should be commended on their development into independent young men. The “covid” generation, as they are known, demonstrated that they have what it takes to persevere. However, I urge them to continue working on respecting one another’s space. There have been noteworthy accomplishments, such as Oliver Davis leading the U15A cricket and sevens rugby teams as captain. Emmanuel Chama demonstrated that he is a developing rugby player with a lot of speed on the left wing for the U14A rugby side and was selected for the Sharks Next Generation squad. This group of boys is blessed with a lot of cultural exponents, sportsmen and academics. Khwezi Dube was involved in the music department while also achieving top results with his academics. Max Murray was a cast member in the school play which was enjoyable watching for many boys, teachers and parents. I really look forward to how this group of boys turn out in the years to come, and I must commended them all for the good example which they have set for the new boys in the House. The Tatham C Block have been a group who have genuinely embraced their freedom. I encourage them to keep developing their relationships and friendships since that is what will make Tatham a better place for everyone. After the C Block Journey, they began to emerge from their proverbial shells and relished the opportunity to finally experience first-hand how Michaelhouse’s challenges help turn boys into men. Tomas Baguley deserves praise for his selection for the U16 Grant Khomo Week team, which was well-deserved following an outstanding rugby season. Tristan Roques and Phuti Motsileng later made the soccer team which won the competition at Hilton College, both making their first-team debuts. Johannes Zietsman continued to fly the Tatham flag high by achieving excellent academic results. This Block’s closeness to one another is a benefit to Tatham because they will help the A Block lead the House next year. The Tatham B Block have come a long way from their early days at Michaelhouse. They have turned out to be natural leaders in the House. While focusing on their leadership portfolios they have always put their hands up to offer help when needed especially when called upon to do duties during stressful times of examinations for the A Block prefects. Many of them have achieved a lot over the course of this year. One thing they must learn is that one’s time at Michaelhouse goes by very quickly and I plead with them to carry on making a difference in everyone’s lives in the House, just as they have done over the past four years. As young boys arriving at Michaelhouse five years ago, the current A Block found it difficult to bond and settle into the boarding environment. Over the past five years, this Block has gone on to be one of the most united groups at Michaelhouse.

They have displayed the values of Tatham brotherhood like no one else. They have led from the front and demonstrated to the House what it means to overcome challenges and be inclusive by embracing everyone from different backgrounds. This is something that I have most admired about this group of boys. This experience has been a special part of my life for the past five years and being able to share it with these boys, whom I can proudly call my brothers, is something that I will never forget and will one day share with my own children. Tatham’s tutors have played an important role in making sure that we became men of thought, understanding and culture. They have done this in many ways, such as taking their time and offering help to boys academically or even having a conversation in which they offer a lot of advice about life. Mr Zikhali arrived this year from the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School and fitted in very well. Mr Edgar has been instrumental in assisting boys with prep in the evenings. Mr Rice has come back as an Old Boy which has been very special for the boys as they can relate to him in many situations. Mr Saunders has continued to make a difference in the boys’ lives by constantly checking up on every boy and making sure that they are happy and involved in all aspects of the school. We want to thank Mr Olivier for all that he has done (even though our relationship with him has been brief), and for the role he has played as the Assistant Housemaster of Tatham in our final year. The boys appreciated his strict and fair stance and enjoyed the life lesson discussions shared during the evening break times. Mr Ball has come in from Pascoe and his presence has been felt through his making sure of the continued discipline of the boys in the house being upheld. Collective discipline has instilled individual disciplines. Mrs Kotze has also played a pivotal role in ensuring the E block Boys were well settled, especially during those first two weeks. Her willingness to always offer help is something that many boys, especially the prefects, appreciated. Thanks to all the tutors for making this year a special one which many boys can consider to be their best at Michaelhouse. Your work does not go unnoticed and many boys appreciate what you do for the House. Mr Kotze has constantly been a father figure in Tatham. I have had the singular honour and privilege of working with him closely on many incidents. The way he carefully analyses every situation is something many people do not get to see. Mr Kotze has allowed boys to have freedom and independence, which is what I believe boarding school is all about. Getting the full experience of boarding school is what Mr Kotze preaches, and he emphasise this in House meetings demonstrates it through his actions as Housemaster. The administration work Mr Kotze does is not something that many get to see, but how he goes about this and manages this House is very impressive. On behalf of the House, especially my fellow A Blockers: thank you for being the best Housemaster we could have wished for. To the boys who remain: keep on making Tatham a better place and most importantly remember there is no other brotherhood like the one we experience in Tatham. Therefore embrace it for it is one of Tatham’s treasures; and when you walk down Warriors’ Walk one day remember in your hearts the pride of Tatham which only you can know.

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