Valedictorian speech
– I. Jikijo
Good evening to the Patron, the President of the Maritzburg College Old Boys’ Association, honoured guests, respected family and of course to my fellow 6th formers.
Tonight we gather to celebrate the “end of the beginning”. The end of our College careers but the beginning of our lifelong journey as a part of the Maritzburg College Old Boys’ Association.
It feels like just yesterday we were walking through those gates for the first time as borvers unsure of what lay ahead. We thought these five years would stretch on forever, but somehow, time had other plans. The days blurred into weeks, the weeks into years, and now, here we are. It’s as though we were running a race, and before we knew it, the finish line is right in front of us. The moments we thought would last forever—the laughter, the conversations, even the challenges—have flown by in the blink of an eye, leaving us sitting here, wondering where it all went.
We sit here reflecting on many memories, from the moment our prefects woke us up shouting and flipping our mattresses, to our grueling orientation camp, the dorm wars that would ensue every weekend in Nathan House as soon as the master on duty left, to the midnight strolls we would take to Goldstones and some even to the school block.
Our journey as a class was tested in ways we never expected, and one of the biggest challenges came early on in Grade 8, when COVID-19 turned the world upside down. Suddenly, our friendships, our routines, and our school experiences were interrupted. We were isolated, separated behind screens, and faced with uncertainty. Yet, through it all, we found ways to stay connected—whether it was through virtual meetups, messages of support, or simply knowing that we were all in this together. What could have divided us only made us stronger, because when we finally came back to College, we returned with a renewed sense of unity. That year tested our brotherhood, but it also proved just how resilient and unbreakable it truly is, as no matter how great the physical distance between us, our brotherhood remained intact. Which is evident to a far greater extent in the Old Boys’ Association.
My time at Maritzburg College has taught me three things
- As you sit there, picture yourself somewhere, and don’t look as close as the bowling club, look to Liberty Mall for example. Now get there. You don’t have a car, there are fences in the way, it’s too far. Those are all obstacles that stand in your way, obstacles you have to face and conquer in order to achieve your goals in life.
- The next one is not to worry about what other people comment and say because “inja ayiyikhonkhothi imoto emile”. This directly translates to a dog doesn’t bark at a stationary car. So start your engine and drive. The dogs will bark, the hate will come, but that just means that you are moving forward, so don’t let that bring you down, rather let it motivate you to work harder.
- The final lesson Maritzburg College has taught me is where true happiness lies. It lies in contentment – contentment with who we are, what we have, and where we are on our journey. Contentment isn’t about settling or giving up on dreams; it’s about recognizing the value of the present moment and the blessings we already possess. When we focus on what we’re grateful for, we shift our mindset from scarcity to abundance. We begin to see that the richness of life isn’t found in things, but in experiences, relationships, and the love we give and receive. Just as Rapper J Cole once said”There’s always going to be a bigger house out there but as long as the people in yours love you dearly. There’s always a car that’s better than the one you have, there’s going to be clothes newer than the ones you wear, there’s always someone with a partner that’s objectively better looking than the one you are dating, but you will never be happy until you love yours.”
Looking back on our past five years, if you take the time to think about it, College’s cyclic nature is really profound. We all began as borvers who hadn’t even earned a 2nd form tie. Throughout the years we went our separate journeys, all of us earning our own unique accolades accompanied by different ties and alterations to the badge, and eventually we have all ended up here today. Having earned the same badge and tie once more. Truly united in our differences.
(As I said in the beginning of this speech), This is not a goodbye. I hope in future many of us reconnect, whether it be at the bowling club, on Goldstones or the many reunions that occur around the world. As we step into the next chapter of our lives, it’s important to remember that our journey with Maritzburg College doesn’t end here. This school has given us far more than just an education—it has instilled in us values and resilience, and built lifelong friendships. Now, it’s our turn to give back. Whether it’s by mentoring future students, contributing to the school’s growth, or simply being active members of the Maritzburg College Old Boys’ Association, we each have a role to play in preserving and building upon the legacy that has shaped us. I hope to one day see our contributions—whether it’s plaques that read ‘Donated by the Class of 2024’ or our names etched into the future of this institution in other ways—because giving back is how we ensure that this brotherhood continues to thrive for generations to come.
Our legacy as the class of 2024 will not be forgotten and will endure for the rest of time as “The cheers, the struggles, and the moments in between, will now forever be part of this school’s legacy, etched into every corner of this campus.”
“Each step we took together, each word we shared, is now woven into the story of this place, like chapters in a book that future students will never read but always feel.”
and “Momentary words we shared in the corridors will now become echoes that these red bricked walls will hold for as long as they stand.”
Pro Aris et Focis