Please share your thoughts and stories on how you are dealing with the country wide lockdown with the OD Union at [email protected]

17 April

Dear Jeremy

Last week the DHL Stormers released their own rendition of South African legend Johnny Clegg’s, “The Crossing”. With the help of Cape Town based artists, The Stormers squad recorded the song in a professional studio, in early March. If you have not seen the music video, you can here.

Committee member and director of the project, Duncan Cruickshank (1985G), said it started as a small idea from head coach John Dobson (1985K), who hopes the people of South Africa will watch the music video and take inspiration from the players singing their hearts out alongside some well-known artists.

“Singing is a part of rugby at every level of the game and having adopted ‘The Crossing’ as a way of bringing our team closer together, it was wonderful to see the positive impact that this experience has had on our team. The current uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic means that this is a daunting time for all of us, but if this song is able to bring us closer together – figuratively of course – then that would be one of our biggest wins this year,” he said.

Johnny Clegg’s song was used as a victory song for the Stormers before the season was called off due to the covid-19 pandemic. “The Crossing”, came out during a very difficult period for this country and was used by Johnny Clegg, along with many of his other songs, as a catalyst for unity.

The music circumvented racial and cultural borders, while encouraging diversity. The squad’s diversity was the deciding factor when choosing the song, as well as the unifying role the Springboks played by winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Duncan and John were not the only ODs to feature, with James Stewart (1986B) providing vocals, Josh Hawks (1987W) on bass guitar and both Dillyn (2010S) and Tristan Leyds (2015S) being part of the 2020 Stormers squad. The song was recorded at The Academy of Sound Engineering, where Keith Farquharson (1984S) is the managing director.

Johnny Clegg’s music had the power to bring a nation together during a horrible period. To gain some further insight into the recording of the song and what the DHL Stormers are hoping to achieve, a ‘behind the scenes’ video can be viewed here.

The song is also available to download on Spotify and Apple Music, with all proceeds going to The Click Foundation. Find out about the foundation here. The Stormers have also joined Pick n Pay in helping those less fortunate through the Feed the Nation relief fund. The fund aims to provide food and basic hygiene essentials to the most vulnerable during the lockdown. Raymond Ackerman, our patron and founder of Pick n Pay, invites all South Africans to help feed the nation. To help donate go to the Pick n Pay website here or you can donate when paying at a Pick n Pay till.

Kind regards,

The OD Office.

OD Updates

MUST WATCH: How Groote Schuur is preparing for Covid-19 cases – Dr. Ross Hofmeyr (1999O)

Click for video

A message from the committee

It's a new day, and there is no doubt that the world as we know it will be different hereafter. Every adversity offers an opportunity to respond in positive ways. We have been heartened to hear how ODs have involved themselves in COVID-19 relief efforts in various ways. We salute such initiatives.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, applied in its various forms around the world, the ODU Committee decided to use the lockdown period to expedite working towards serving all ODs across the globe. To date, meetings have been held using electronic means, as you see in the accompanying picture.

Our aim is to include as many ODs as possible in the life of the OD Union for the good of all ODs and the School. I consider myself fortunate to be working with a formidable committee of individuals who are united in their focus. Over the next few weeks and months, you will be informed of the developments emanating from the planning.

Congratulations go to the following appointments and roles: David MacGregor (1979O) as Vice Chairman of the ODU Committee, Graham Meyer (1983K) as Honorary Treasurer, and as Convenors of Subcommittees: James Sedgwick (1977F) (Finance), Lukhanyo Neer (2008B) (Governance), Simon Koch (1977S) (Clubs & Societies), Sanjay Daya (1994O) (Member Development, Mentoring & Bursaries), Matt Pearce (Communications), Gus Allen (Events), Simon Burrow (1968F) (Branches).

Stay safe and Best Regards,

Wilbur van Niekerk (1985K)

Stay connected during this time

Matthew Pearce (1987G), current ODU committee member writes:

When we reflect on how this global pandemic has impacted us in the future, the answers will be multi-faceted. There are certainly negatives, but also many positives, including our environment being given a chance to breathe, us taking time to consider what is most important in our lives and, for some of us, some cherished additional time together as families.

Perhaps the greatest positive for me so far, however, has been the continuous communication with our Matric year group of 1987. I find it incredible that 33 years on, we have a WhatsApp group of more than 60 of our year, dotted all around the planet.

In recent weeks I have been heard about, among other things:

• Mark MacGregor’s role as an NHS doctor on the front-line of pandemic response and care just outside London;

• Tom Moultrie’s secondment to the NCID team here in SA, interpreting data and plotting strategy in the fight against the virus;

• Dr Jonathan Louw’s regular medical updates on vaccine research and a constant arbiter of truth around information that is being circulated;

• Andrew Willis’ role as a police officer in south London, tasked with enforcing adherence to the lockdown;

• Lockdown diaries from Nick Robinson in Portugal, Robert Carmichael in Hungary, Mike Wallis-Brown in Kenya and Jonathan Rubinstein (added to the group during the past week) in Australia.

What has been so heart-warming to read about is the work being done by some of the farmers in our year for their local communities. Bruce Jack and Pieter Albertyn – along with another OD, Michael van Breda – are doing everything in their power to arrest the hunger crisis growing in the farming communities of Bredasdorp, Struisbaai and Napier during the lockdown, while Nico Basson does the same in his local community near Darling.

They are sharing stories and pictures of trying to make a difference to those who cannot work and are left with literally nothing.

In addition, the response to the plight of the hungry – and the work being done by these wonderful ODs – has been special to witness. Accounts set up and monies being donated from the group from around the world.

In a sense, during this time of isolation, I have never felt more connected to my matric group than I do now, 33 years after leaving Bishops.

There is something very meaningful about being connected in this way and I would encourage year groups to build these communication platforms – even through a simple WhatsApp group in this day and age – and stay in touch. We have very quickly rekindled old connections and realised that bonds formed more than three decades ago are a lot stronger than perhaps we imagined.

Please share stories of ODs with whom you remain in touch and your responses to what we are currently experiencing. There is an inspiration to be drawn from many quarters.

Collaboration through modern technologies has become the new norm, during an ever-changing period. Please stay connected by registering on our website, social media channels (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) and the new Bishops LinkedIN page.

In need of some content to pass the time?

The Old Diocesan is a celebration of ODs around the world. Catch up on all five issues by following the link below. If you would like to make any suggestions or contribute to further issues please be in contact with [email protected].

April VUSA Newsletter

Milestone birthdays this month

We would like to congratulate the following on turning 80 years old this month; Edward Tracey Milne (1957) on 7 April, David Stegmann (1957W) on 11 April and Alan S Mallett (1957) on 14 April and Tony Donkin Mbe (1957O).