Old Boys’ News – Sept 2017
Stephen McGown (Nash 1992) – RELEASED
3 Aug 2017 – Stephen McGown has been released from captivity in Mali where he has been held hostage since November 2011!
We’re so grateful that he is finally coming home! Click here for more info.
Chris Froome (Nash 2003) – CYCLING
July 2017 – Chris won the Tour de France for the fourth time this year! Click here to read more about his race.
Tshilidzi Marwala (Sixth Form 1990) – ACADEMICS
June 2017 – News from Times Live: Professor Tshilidzi Marwala has been named as the new vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Johannesburg.
Marwala‚ who is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Internationalisation at UJ‚ will succeed Professor Ihron Rensburg on 1 January 2018. UJ’s council said that the appointment followed a rigorous and extensive selection process.
The chairperson of the university council‚ Professor Roy Marcus‚ said the appointment of Prof Marwala would further advance the strategic goal of the university to become Africa’s epicentre of critical intellectual enquiry.
To read more from Times Live, click here.
Click here to read the announcement from the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Siya Xuza (Hodgson 2007) – SCIENCE
29 April 2017 – Congratulations to Siya Xuza (2007) who had a planet named after him and was awarded the National Order.
Siya had a planet named after him, in honour of his work in developing a rocket and creating safer, more energy-efficient rocket fuel in the process.
The Nasa-affiliated Lincoln Laboratory was so impressed with the young engineer’s achievements that it named a minor planet after him. Planet 23182, discovered in 2000, is now known as “Siyaxuza”.
15 May – Siya received the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver.
The Order of Mapungubwe is awarded to citizens who have made an impact internationally and served the national interest. Siya was recognised for his contribution to scientific innovation at an early age, proving to himself and others that through determination and hard work one could achieve career heights. Click here to read more.
Connor Wilson (Hill 2015) – SKIING
Feb 2017 – Connor represented South Africa earlier this year at the 2017 FIS (International Ski Federation) Alpine World Ski Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The World Championship takes place every other year and is the most important event on the alpine calendar, apart from the Winter Olympics. The event was first held in 1931 and this was the fifth time that it was held in St. Moritz. 700 Athletes from approximately 70 nations competed against each other this year. Over 165,000 spectators, including Swiss ski legend Roger Federer, attended the two-week competition. Connor is the current South African National Champion 2016/2017 and is the top racer in the disciplines of Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G. He was one of three South African athletes who were selected to compete in the technical events of Slalom and Giant Slalom by Snowsports South Africa.
Lorenzo Masselli (Hill 2015) – RUGBY
June 2017 – Lorenzo represented the Italian rugby team in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia.
Conor McKerr (Thomson 2015) – CRICKET
June 2017 – Conor made his first-class cricket debut for Derbyshire on the English county cricket circuit. He is currently contracted to Surrey but is on loan with Derbyshire.
Giggs Kgole (Hill 2015) – ART
Giggs Kgole has received a prestigious full scholarship to study Art at John Cabot University in Rome. Giggs left South Africa to study in Rome on the 18th of August. But before he departed he had a Blanket Distribution on the 9th of August of which he, through the sales of his artworks, has raised money to buy over 200 blankets. Giggs is planning to continue his studio practice in Europe whilst he studies. He is in pursuit to start exhibiting on the big European stage in 2018. If anyone is interested in Giggs’ artworks, they are available at EVERARD Read gallery in Johannesburg, Cape Town and the UK.
This trip will be his first trip to Europe and he is looking forward to the new journey and challenges that come with it. Determined to be one of Africa’s greatest artists, Giggs has his heart set and dream just a paint stroke away.
Feel free to follow up on Giggs and his journey on email: giggskgole.gk@gmail or social media platforms: @GiggsKgoleArt