Old Boys’ News – November 2016

David Hunt (Nash 2009) – ROWING

David has won numerous U23 and World University Medals in the Men’s Coxless Pair, competed at two World Rowing Championships and qualified two boat classes for the Olympics in Rio. The Men’s Four did brilliantly in Rio, qualifying for the A final and finishing 4th, just 2 seconds off a bronze medal.

Willie Morgan (Hodgson 2011) – ROWING

Willie was selected as cox for the Paralympic crew in Rio in September 2016. Willie and his crew have performed well recently having won a silver medal at the World Cup Rowing Regatta in Poznan, Poland.

Congratulations to Willie and his crew who placed 5th in the A Final of the Mixed LTA 4+ at the Paralympic Games in Rio. That is 5th in the World!

Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh (Nash 2006) – LITERATURE

Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh’s book proposal ‘Democracy and Delusion’ won him the City Press Tafelberg Nonfiction Award (10 Sept 2016).  The award, given out every two years, is the richest of its kind in South Africa. In an interview with City Press, Sizwe explained that he will seek to demystify what he sees as 10 myths in South Africa’s post-democratic political discourse.

Graeme Marais (Nash 2000) – ACCOUNTING

In Aug 2016 Graeme was nominated as one of the top 35 CA’s under the age of 35 by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

In Sept 2016 Graeme was also nominated as 1 of 6 finalists for the Young Professional of the Year Award in the Commerce, Law and Management Category by the South African Professional Services Awards.

Abel Selaocoe (Nash 2009) – MUSIC

Six of South Africa’s blooming creative talents were named Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners for 2017. This award is prestigious, has been running for more than three decades, and has boosted the careers of many of well-known artists today.

The winners are (Nash 2009) Abel Selaocoe (music), Benjamin Jephta (jazz), Beth Diane Armstrong (visual art), Dineo Seshee Bopape (performance art), Monageng “Vice” Motshabi (theatre) and Thandazile Radebe (dance).

Selaocoe explores the capacity of the cello across a plethora of genres, from collaborating with beatboxers to giving concerto performances and solo classical recitals.

Siphethe Dumeko (Thomson 1998) – BUSINESS

Siphethe Dumeko – CFO: Business Partners had been listed in Destiny Man magazine’s Power of 40.

Siphethe is primarily responsible for the finance function of Business Partners, as well as assisting in the formulation of the company’s future direction, monitoring and implementation.

Michael Gordon Whitfield (Clayton 2007) – MEDICAL

In early 2016 Stellenbosch University awarded Michael the HD Brede Award for Tuberculosis Research (Best Biomedical Research Publication) for 2016.  This was in recognition of one of his published articles.  Stellenbosch University featured an article about his award (link to be found in the Nov 2016 OJ newsletter).

Dean Gordon (Hodgson 2011) – RUGBY

Congratulations to OJ Dean Gordon who has signed with the Lions Rugby Union.

Scott Spedding (Nash 2004) – RUGBY

Scott played for France in the recent 2016 rugby internationals.

Omphile Ramela (Hodgson 2006) and Devon Conway (Nash 2009) – CRICKET

Omphile and Devon played in the South African T20 cricket competition for the Lions (Nov 2016).

Connor Wilson (Hill 2015) – SKIING

Connor recently won the South African National Alpine Ski Championships.  The SA Champs were held from 27 July to 01 August 2016 again at Tiffindell Ski Resort in the Eastern Cape.