BLOG BITS

Have you ever had the opportunity to watch the competition for the World’s Strongest Man? It is totally insane! We are not talking about official Olympic lifting or anything with weight categories. They do not look too closely at your training regime or even any ‘legal’ supplements you may be taking; it is simply about who the most powerful human being on the planet is, in terms of raw physical strength.

When one considers that the Covid pandemic struck within the first couple of months of their Grade 11 year, it is particularly significant that the Clifton College Class of 2021 has achieved these outstanding results – some of the best results on record. Congratulations to our Clifton Gentlemen!

By Mrs Feroza Asmall

“Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu” – “I am because you are”. This is how we describe the meaning of Ubuntu. It speaks to the fact that we are all connected, and that one can only grow and progress through the growth and progression of others.

A few months ago, I had to buy my son new cricket shoes as he had outgrown the shoes that I bought him not even a few months before! I looked at his shoes – the old ones- and I thought these are still like new and can be used by someone else that can fit into them.

By Mr Jason Brown
Preparatory School Principal

There is a danger in education, and life, where we can get fixated on the outcomes, rather than the process. There are many anecdotes referencing the ‘journey being more important than the destination. I might argue this point having travelled from Johannesburg to Durban in the 1970s in a VW ‘Volksiebus’ with 2 adults, 5 siblings, 1 cat and 2 dogs – one of which was decidedly flatulent.

By Mr Praveshen Iyer
Deputy Principal: College Co-curricular

A boys’ school by conviction, Clifton provides an educational environment that is designed to facilitate learning and assist in developing young men of character who share an uncompromising belief in the power of family values.”
(Knowles D, 2021).

By Mrs Noku Dlamini
Director of Transformation: College

The sanctity of birds is frequently related to their ability to fly close to the heavens and get wisdom from a different perspective. That is why I was so thrilled when Gifford “Giffy” Duminy proposed birds as our symbol of transformation at Clifton. That is what being transformed is about, being able to take on multi perspectives and be empathetic.

By Nichola and Ivan Boniaszczuk

Alongside many tragedies caused by the pandemic, the closing of theatres and the shackling of The Arts for so long, has been a cause of much heartache. Just as the livelihoods of so many professional performers were unravelling, our own young performers were missing out on vital parts of their development. How does one promote performance when one cannot have an audience or even performers in close proximity for extended periods? The ancient Greek actors famously wore masks but… it is fair to say, of an entirely different sort!

By Phoebe Jordaan-Schoeman

The lights came on, the speakers buzzed, the stage wall received paint, costumes were dusted off, props precisely placed – the rehearsal of lines echoing on the empty walls of the auditorium…For the first time in more than a year, the curtains of the Sutcliffe theatre opened on 13 May for one evening of theatre.

This year’s annual production was of Athol Fugard’s autobiographical play, “‘Master Harold’ … and the boys”. The audience was transported to a tearoom in St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth in the 1950s where they witnessed the defining moment in Hally’s life.

At the conclusion of the Human Rights Day assembly on Friday, the College boys signed the Clifton Discrimination Proclamation that was formulated by the Transformation and Diversity team.
Afterwards, the proclamation plaque was unveiled in the Mitchell Square by Mr Knowles and Head Boy, George Tattari. Mrs Dlamini referred to the journey of transformation and diversity at Clifton and congratulated the boys for their bravery and commitment to the process.