Old Boys

CHAD LE CLOS

Matric 2010; 2012 Olympic Gold Medallist; FINA World Series Champion;

World Swimmer of the year 2014

My five years at WBHS, my leadership role and the friendships that I made at Westville were important factors in making me the person that I am today. Westville always supported me in pursuing my goals, but I did not want to succeed only in the pool. Although I had to miss a great deal of school time, my Swimming and School commitments linked because both taught me discipline and time-management. I had good relationships with my teachers, our respect is mutual, and I appreciate all the help and extra tuition they gave me.

ERROL STEWART

Matric 1987; SA & Dolphins Cricketer; SA Cricket selector; Sharks Rugby player; Standard Bank Head: Offshore Wealth Management; Director & Chairman: WBHS Foundation

I firmly believe that a balanced education is important in ensuring success in any career in business or sport. In addition to the varied sporting skills I learnt at school, the all-round experience and guidance provided at Westville develops the type of emotional intelligence that is vital to decisions and choices made by any boy who wants to be a high achiever.

CHAD HO

Matric 2008; SA Olympic Swimming team 2008; World 10km open-water Marathon Series winner 2010; 6-time Midmar Champion

I had a great experience at Westville both inside and outside the classroom. The School adapted my academic programme to cater for my many Swimming commitments, my teachers were excellent and supportive, and my leadership duties taught me personal skills that benefit me today. Being a long-distance swimmer, I value the qualities of commitment and resilience that are reflected in the School motto, Incepto Ne Desistam, which means ‘Stay the course’. The School certainly lives up to this motto.

CRAIG COOMBE                    

Matric 1988; B.Com, B.Compt (Hons, CA (SA); Investment banker; co-founder and executive director of Imbewu Capital Partners investment holding company

Westville Boys High has played a significant role in preparing me for the fast changing global world in which we live.  The unchanging values of respect, integrity, teamwork, excellence and empathy have provided me with a solid platform from which to build and lead,  and for that I am deeply appreciative.  I have also had the pleasure of working closely with many highly respected and capable Westville Old Boys and believe that the school is having an increasingly profound impact on our nation.

Dr MICHAEL EZEKOWITZ                    

Matric 1964; PhD Phil (London); MA (Yale); captain SA Universities Cricket team; lead U.S. medical researcher; world authority on atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention; named in the Thomson Reuters list of the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds 2014

Westville deserves the recognition it has achieved from organisations such as the World Leading Schools Association.  The School has the tradition of well-rounded education, including both academic and sporting excellence. I expect Westville students to lead South Africa in their respective fields. It is clear that Westville graduates are well rounded with academic, athletic and artistic capabilities and have respect for others, which is highly visible.

Prof FRANK SLACK

Matric 1983; Professor: Harvard Medical School; Formerly Professor at Yale University; Director of the newly formed Institute for RNA Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; World authority in stem-cell research and molecular biology

I often tell the story of how WBHS allowed me to change my subject package midway through high school and it changed my life. My classes changed mid-year and it was rigorous and tough. I got my lowest Biology marks ever that first year but it was so exciting that I persevered and was extremely well prepared for university and beyond. I found my calling and passion at WBHS and will always be grateful to the teachers and staff for that, and to the WBHS sports programme for providing me with much needed diversity.

Dr ADRIAN SAVILLE

Matric 1986; PhD (Econ); investing and competitive strategist; Chief Investment Officer: Cannon Asset Managers; Chief Strategist: Citadel Asset Management

From an early age I had decided that Westville was the school for me. This is a decision I have never regretted. The benefits of the solid foundation and rounded education that I was given through my years of schooling stay with me today.  I am privileged to have been educated at one of our country’s most impressive and admired education institutions that has played a key role in shaping so many lives, including mine.

GARETH MORGAN

Matric 1994; Rhodes Scholar; Archbishop Tutu Fellow; Former Member of Parliament; Director: WBHS Foundation; Principal Professional Officer at Department of Trade & Investment, City of Cape Town

Westville gave me the edge needed to be successful in life. The lessons I learnt at the School, whether in the classroom, on the stage or on the sports fields have been invaluable throughout my life.  I am grateful to my former teachers for having provided me with nurturing environments in which to develop my talents.

WAYLON MURRAY

Matric and Head Boy 2003; Multi-talented sportsman; Springbok Rugby player; Sharks and Bulls Rugby player

Any primary school boy considering which high school to attend would be hard pressed to find a better high school in terms of pupil development and nurturing one’s potential in an environment that is both conducive to achieving academically and on the sporting field.

CRAIG DUFF

Matric 1987; SA entrepreneur; founder (1990) and developer of Varsity College; former Executive Director: Advtech Ltd; Director: WBHS Foundation

I am very proud to have spent my high school years at Westville. I truly believe that we received a balanced and all-round education. As I look at Westville today, it is with even greater pride that I reflect upon what the School has achieved. Westville is continually regarded as one of South Africa’s top schools from an academic, sporting, arts and leadership perspective.

Dr ADRIAN TIPLADY

Matric 1997, Physicist; Head of Strategy at SKA South Africa; adviser to Minister of Science & Technology; SA representative on international astronomy and telecoms boards;

I definitely think I am a much better person for having attended Westville. I learnt how to think about the world, how to appreciate the educational opportunities I had around me – not just what was in textbooks, but what was communicated by inspirational teachers. What I took away from Westville Boys’ High School was an idea that I, along with other pupils, had the potential to have a positive impact on the world around us.

SAMIR BHANA

Matric 1998; MBA London Business School; Sales Manager at Twitter’s European HQ

What I love about Westville Boys’ High School is the way in which it is driven strongly by values: Values that speak to how to treat your classmates, how to conduct yourself in public, and how to be a valuable member of society. If I had to make a choice all over again, Westville would still be number one for me.

Dr CHRIS YOUNG

Matric 1999; Rhodes Scholar; DPhil University of Oxford; Clinical Fellow in Neurosurgery, Groote Schuur Hospital & UCT

I have been impressed by the phenomenal achievements at Westville in the classrooms and on the sports-fields. What always struck me was the extent to which Westville is a community school. It excels because of the fantastic alchemy of talented learners, dedicated teachers and committed parents and friends. In this way, I think Westville can serve as a model to schools across the country.

DIETER KRIESE

Matric 1987; Sharks and Springbok 7’s Rugby player; Old Mutual Financial Adviser; Chair: WOBA; Director: WBHS Foundation

My son in Grade 8 represents the 3^rd generation of the Kriese family to attend Westville Boys’ High. This was an easy decision for him and his parents. The community atmosphere of the School as I knew it, still exists today, and the School has developed positively in so many different ways since my days as a pupil. The WBHS blend between academics, sport, the arts, leadership and service makes for a very happy school that develops great character in our boys.