The William Pescod Secondary School Class of 1971-1974 recently gathered in Kimberley to celebrate a remarkable milestone – their 50th anniversary reunion.
THE WILLIAM Pescod Secondary School (WPSS) Class of 1971-1974 recently gathered to celebrate a remarkable milestone – their 50th anniversary reunion.
Alumni from across South Africa and as far as Australia travelled to Kimberley to reconnect and reflect on the five decades that have passed since their matriculation.
The event, attended by many from the 71-74 cohort, kicked off with a warm meet and greet in the William Pescod staff room, where old friends and classmates reminisced about their school days over evening refreshments. Lloyd Louw, the chief organiser of the reunion, distributed T-shirts adorned with the WPSS emblem, generously donated by Spice Mecca, adding to the sense of camaraderie.
Despite unexpectedly cold weather, the Saturday morning fun walk from WPSS to Sol Plaatje University (SPU) was well attended by those eager to brave the chill, and the walkers were rewarded with a sense of accomplishment as they crossed the finish line. Following this, the annual Solly Hunter Memorial Lecture took place at SPU, where guest speaker Mark Fredericks, a senior video technician at Walter Sisulu University in East London, engaged attendees with thought-provoking insights during a lively question-and-answer session.
One of the highlights of the reunion was a heartfelt gathering at the St Cyprian Church Hall, where Pastor Albert Jacobs, also known as Lefty and a fellow alumnus, led a prayer. A moment of silence was observed in honour of classmates who had passed away. Louw welcomed the attendees and shared some words of wisdom before a delicious lunch was served, providing more time for reminiscing and storytelling.
As the celebrations continued, alumni enjoyed an evening of entertainment and dancing, with old friends reconnecting on the dance floor and sharing in a festive finger supper, celebrating their shared history and bonds.
The reunion concluded the next day with an interfaith service held at WPSS, followed by a guided tour of the school. Although some attendees had to leave early due to travel commitments, the spirit of the reunion lingered, leaving everyone with fond memories of the time spent together.
Special thanks were extended to Lloyd Louw for his tireless efforts in organising the event and to Patricia Demas Hassen for her behind-the-scenes contributions. The reunion was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of donors, ensuring a memorable experience for all.
The Class of 71-74, a group that produced several remarkable academics and professionals, has left a lasting legacy that continues to keep the WPSS flag flying high.
The reunion attendees departed with cherished memories of 50 years filled with friendship, achievements, and experiences, eagerly anticipating many more reunions in the future.