Induction of 16th Headmaster, Maritzburg College
22 July 2025
Good morning, gentlemen of Maritzburg College staff members, Mr Colenbrander and members of the school governing body, Mrs Dlamini, fellow heads and invited guests.
It is both an honour and a deep privilege to stand before you today as the new Headmaster of this historic and proud institution. From the very moment I set foot on this campus, I have felt the weight of tradition, the strength of brotherhood, and the passion that runs through the veins of every College boy—past and present.
Maritzburg College is more than just a school. It is a living, breathing vision of what education should be. And as I begin my journey here with you, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and a deep sense of purpose, because I know that the values that I hold most dear are the very values upon which this school was built: the values that are so proudly displayed as one travels up Calder Drive towards the Forder oval – Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Self-discipline, Commitment and Respect. These are not simply values displayed but values taught, learnt and lived by those who pass through this institution.
Boys of College, we stand on the shoulders of giants. For over 162 years, this school has produced men of courage, character, and conviction. Men who have gone on to lead, to serve, and to shape the world around them. That legacy doesn’t just inspire me—it aligns completely with the calling I have followed throughout my professional life: to grow good men. Men who are emotionally grounded, who understand their responsibility to others, and who use their strengths not just for personal gain, but for the greater good.
To the staff of Maritzburg College—academic, support, and administrative—I am excited to join this exceptional and professional team. A school is only as strong as the people who serve within it, and it is clear to me that this school is blessed with passionate, dedicated, and highly skilled individuals across all roles. Whether in the classroom, on the stage, on the sports field, within the community, behind the scenes in offices, or maintaining the daily rhythm of school life, your collective efforts shape the environment in which our boys thrive. I look forward to collaborating with you, to learning from your experience and insight, and to building on the strong foundations that already exist. Together, we will continue to uphold the proud legacy of Maritzburg College while ensuring that every boy receives the holistic, values-driven education he deserves.
I am passionate about boys’ education. I believe it is one of the most powerful investments a society can make. Young men need schools like this. Our country needs schools like this. Schools that offer firm guidance, high expectations, meaningful challenge, and deep care. A place where mentors walk alongside pupils, not just to prepare them for exams, but to prepare them for life. Boys need a community where they feel known, seen, and valued. A community that gives them of their best and expects their best in return. It is my task to ensure that that is what we do and that we do it well.
At Maritzburg College, we talk of excellence. And rightly so. We are a leading school in the province, and we must never settle for anything less than our best. But true excellence is never one-dimensional. It must be holistic. And so, while we will always place academic strength at the centre of what we do—and strive for a culture of intellectual rigour and curiosity—we also understand that a complete education happens both in and out of the classroom.
On the sports field, we learn about teamwork, discipline, and resilience. In our cultural spaces, we discover voice, creativity, and expression. In our service initiatives, we learn to look beyond ourselves and engage with the real needs of our broader community. These are not extras—they are essentials. It is through these experiences that you grow into men of substance, men who can lead with empathy, think critically, and act justly.
But perhaps most importantly, I want you to know that as Headmaster, I am committed to ensuring that every boy here feels he belongs. That he matters. That he has a part to play. Whether you are first team or fourth team, in the front row of the classroom or quietly doing your best from the back, you are our boys. And this is your school.
My understanding of College, from the time I taught here in 1998 to now is that this is a brotherhood. And brothers lift one another up, hold one another accountable, and walk forward together, leaving nobody behind. I am sure you will uphold that understanding.
There will be moments of great joy and moments of challenge ahead—but that is life. What matters most is how we face those moments. Will we show up with courage? With humility? With determination? With pride and respect? My expectation of myself is that I give my all to this school, to its people, and to its purpose. That I work every day to ensure that Maritzburg College continues to be a beacon of excellence in this province and this country —a place where boys become men who make a positive and lasting difference in the world. I repeat the words I said earlier in my expectation of you: that you grow into men of substance, men who can lead with empathy, think critically, and act justly.
Let me leave you with this thought: who you are becoming is more important than what you achieve. Yes, aim high. Excel in your studies. Win on the sports field. Inspire on the cultural front, pursue excellence in all that you do, develop your leadership skills. But above all, become a man of honour, a man of compassion, and a man of integrity.
To the staff, thank you for the incredible work you do in shaping lives.
To the parents, guardians and community members, thank you for entrusting us with your sons and for your ongoing support.
And to you, the boys of College—thank you for the welcome you have extended to me. I look forward to walking this road with you. To learning with you. And to leading a school that I believe is truly one of the finest in South Africa.
Let’s get to work—together.
Pro Aris et Focis
Thank you.