Former Headmaster of Maritzburg College | Educator | Leader | Mentor
With deep sorrow and profound respect, the Maritzburg College community bids farewell to Dr Reginald Dudley Forde, a man whose life embodied the very essence of our school’s motto: Pro Aris et Focis – for hearth and home.
Current College headmaster, Alan Redfern shares his memories of Dr Forde; “As headmaster, he led with compassion and dignity, caring for those under his tutelage. As a leader, he taught me an enormous amount about compassion, care and leading with integrity. He was a giant in South African education landscape and has left an indelible mark on everything that he did. We are going to miss Dudley. May he rest in peace.”
Born in Johannesburg on 20 April 1940, Dr Forde’s journey was one of purpose, vision, and unwavering dedication to the development of young minds. He earned multiple degrees from the University of Natal, including a B.Comm, BA (Hons), a Master’s in the Philosophy of Leadership, and a PhD in Education. Yet it was his ability to translate academic excellence into meaningful mentorship that truly set him apart.
Dr Forde began his teaching career at Maritzburg College in 1965 as a mathematics teacher, known for his clarity, patience, and ability to inspire. From mid-1986 he served as College’s 11th Headmaster, and later as Headmaster of DHS and Rector at Michaelhouse. Polished and urbane, his charm belied a determined spirit. His tenure from 1986 to 1992 was marked by a renewed emphasis on academic excellence and leadership development, laying the foundation for many of the school’s enduring traditions.
Beyond College, Dr Forde was a national figure in youth leadership. His decades-long involvement with the Boy Scout Movement of South Africa, including his role as Chief Scouts Commissioner, reflected his lifelong commitment to instilling values of discipline, service, and character in young people.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr Forde was awarded the Order of the Baobab in Bronze on Freedom Day 2011 by President Jacob Zuma, a national honour celebrating his impact on education and community service.
In 2022, Maritzburg College proudly welcomed Dr Forde into the “Friends of College,” a distinction reserved for those who have gone above and beyond in service to the school and education. Even in retirement, Dr Forde remained a loyal and devoted supporter of Maritzburg College, mentoring staff, supporting initiatives like the Khanyisa Primary School Education Programme, and championing the #100MillionforCollege Campaign, aimed at securing the school’s future through a historic endowment.
Dr Forde was more than an educator. He was a visionary, a man of deep humility and a role model whose legacy will continue to shape generations. His life was a masterclass in leadership, compassion, and service. He lived the College values of integrity, courage, honesty, respect, self-discipline, and commitment with quiet strength and unwavering grace.
As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate a life that touched thousands. A life that made Maritzburg College stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. A life that will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Dr Forde. Your legacy lives on in every classroom, every tradition, and every young life you helped shape.
Voices from the College Community
“Dudley Forde was a principled and visionary leader who deeply valued the role of the Old Boys Association in shaping the school’s direction. His leadership was marked by dignity, inclusivity, and genuine care for every student, often spending hours counselling boys and involving parents in resolving issues. He championed the transition to non-racial Model C schools, actively mobilizing parental support across KZN, and reinforced the school’s Christian ethos fostering a lasting spiritual foundation at College.”
Dave Wimble, Chairman of the Governing Body and a member of the Old Boys’ Executive during Dr. Forde’s tenure
“Dudley’s legacy is not just in the buildings or the programmes he helped build—it’s in the character of the boys who walked through College’s gates and left as men of integrity.”
Former Colleague, Maritzburg College Staff
“I owe Dudley Forde an enormous debt of gratitude for my career. He believed in me when I was a very young student teacher and offered me my first teaching post at Maritzburg College in 1992. College, in turn, laid the foundation for the teacher I became, and eight years later, he employed me again at Michaelhouse. Dr Forde challenged my thinking and stretched me more than he ever knew—as a teacher and especially as a director. In our world of education, he was a man of magnitude. I thank him for all he taught me and for setting me on the path that has culminated in my return to Pietermaritzburg. I know I speak on behalf of all the Epworth staff who knew him when I say we have lost a fine man and a brilliant educator. Rest in peace, Dr Forde.”
— Dionne Redfern, Head of Epworth High School