The Bishops Entrepreneurship Network is holding an event in conjunction with St Stithians on the evening of Thursday, 23 August 2018. In a blockchain-themed event hosted by OD secretary WP van Zyl, the chairman of the network, Stephen Larkin (1990F) and co-founder of the Aziza Coin will be interviewing St Stithians old boy, Tumelo Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa is one of South Africa’s emerging blockchain stars as the founder of Studex Wildlife Coin, the first blockchain play protecting endangered game. He has also been instrumental in setting up Chunkura, one of the world’s fastest-growing cryptocurrency exchanges with current trading volumes of R75 million per day. He will also share his trials and tribulations in putting together Africa’s largest Blockchain event, Unlocking Blockchain Africa where he has gathered together some of blockchain’s most powerful leaders. These include popstar Akon Thiam, Roger Ver, co-founder of the Bitcoin Foundation and Charlie Shrem, the first person to be convicted for and becoming a billionaire from bitcoin. Lastly, Ramaphosa uses his insight as an industry insider to explain why he believes that South Africa will become a blockchain superpower.   Former Bishops headmaster Grant Nupen will talk about the contribution private schools can make to entrepreneurship and job creation especially when using emerging technologies such as Blockchain. He will share his journey as to how he and his wife have succeeded in becoming successful Bitcoin miners since 2015. We would appreciate it if you could help us to increase awareness by indicating that you are interested in the event post on the OD Union Facebook Page and the similar post on the OD Union Northern Provinces Page.   The event will be held at St Stithians Alumni Association Venue – The Higher Ground Restaurant, 40 Peter Place, Lyme Park, Sandton, 2060, South Africa, where drinks will be served from 17:30 with the event starting at 18:00. As the event is sponsored, there will be no charge, only a cash bar. Partners are most welcome, but Old Stithians and representatives from the LEAP initiative as well as ODs are invited, booking is essential – please contact Laura Anne Morton on +27 83 277 8606 to reserve your place.    

Class members can contact Marc van Heerden (2008S) at [email protected] for further information.

“Exploding the Myth” uniquely covers John’s significant personal involvement in the investigation of four separate international high profile murders, the forensic evidence of the Lockerbie bomb and ‘crutch bomber’ (Detroit) and an insight into bomb disposal and counter terrorist search operations hitherto unpublished. With a background of Northern Ireland and other operations, it also details the training processes and explosive effects analysis that are vital in today’s terrorist threat. The removal of 50ft pipemines from 32 airfields in the South of England left over from the 2nd World War and sorting out the booby-trapped oil fires in the immediate aftermath of the First Gulf War proved challenging. Perhaps more of an examination was designing and implementing all the security for Her Majesty’s Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.  The Falklands War, Middle East, South America, Kenya and extensive work with the United Nations additionally make up the story of John’s extraordinary career.

At our age, reunions, we think, should occur in multiples of five-year intervals. 57 years ago, the top photo was taken of the first-ever Pre-Prep class. The bottom photo is of that same class that made it through to matric in 1973.  

This being the centenary of Nelson Mandela's birth, there have been a variety of events and functions to mark the occasion. One is the screening of the film Life is Wonderful - Mandela's unsung Heroes. This is the story behind the infamous Rivonia Trial, where Mandela and his co-defendants fought for the freedom of South Africa. The film is directed by former high court judge Sir Nick Stadlen QC, and follows the ten leading opponents of apartheid and their lawyers and supporters through the trial. Though the defendants were saved from the death penalty, eight of the ten were sentenced to life imprisonment, Mandela among them. When Mandela was released 27 years later, he had a vision of multiracial democracy for South Africa.  I had advertised the film in earlier newsletters, but many ODs who were interested in seeing it discovered it to be sold out. So we are very fortunate that Sir Nick is going to host a private screening for ODs, their families and friends. This will take place on Sunday 28th October at the Curzon Cinema in Victoria at 3pm. Sir Nick will introduce the film and at the end, will hold a short Q&A.  After that, guests are invited to stay on fr a few drinks in a private room at the cinema. The screen that is available to us is one of their smaller ones, so this is very much a first-come-first served event and if you want to come, do book now (£10 pp including drinks and snacks afterwards).