The Iris Magazine 2013

Netball

NETBALL U19B (2ND TEAM) NETBALL 3RD TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Ms S Dorlas (Manager), Tisetso Petje, Stephanie Baker, Absent: Ama Hlalele, Lerato Kgamanyane
Titi Mathole, Courtney Theys, Mrs T Janse van Rensburg (Coach) Back Row (L-R): Leenette Hadebe, Ziyanda Sithole, Ms S Dorlas (Manager),
Front Row (L-R): Tshego Tleane, Palesa Moshia, Fiona Pikirayi Unathi Nkhoma, Ceinwen Rikkers
Front Row (L-R): Kamo Malesa, Kristin Ellington, Neo Kenoshi

NETBALL U17A TEAM NETBALL U17B TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Fundi Kokela, Mrs L Stellaard, Charlotte Angel, Absent: Lebo Malala, Gabi Schoeman, Kayleigh Moyes, Michaela Campbell
Yolandé du Preez, Thato Moagi Back Row (L-R): Mrs L Stellaard, Masego Malatje, Yolande du Preez
Front Row (L-R): Awande Lugojolo, Amo Kolokoto, Ashleigh Rosa, Front Row (L-R): Boipela Shongwe, Alexia Doeg, Kaylin O’Brien,
Palesa Molefe Sam Buckland

NETBALL U16A TEAM NETBALL U16B TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Princess Ndala, Johanna Makgobane, Mrs M Andrade, Back Row (L-R): Natalie Ntsaku, Ashleigh Mogoshi, Mrs M Andrade,
Lexi Botha, Oratile Mosiane Nthabiseng Utla, Zozo Makaula
Front Row (L-R): Sharon Munyai, Attie Booi (Captain), Bronwyn Adams Front Row (L-R): Bonolo Kgoebane, Simbongile Nyangintsimbi, Lebo Moleleki

99The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Netball

NETBALL U16C TEAM NETBALL U15A TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Daisy Nemutanzhela, Thandiwe Thwala, Nicole Mampye, Back Row (L-R): Nkhensani Biko, Nthabiseng Mabapa, Jodi Steytler,
Pamela Maaka, Gontse Mathiba, Tashlyn Leyds Thandiwe Ndlovu
Front Row (L-R): Lucy da Costa, Nizo Moruane (Coach), Front Row (L-R): Vanessa Arcanjo, Regina Maepa (Captain), Ms B Grover,
Ashton Carolissen, Mrs M Ford (Liaison), Kamohelo Motsoeneng Shanique Parker (Vice Captain), Kristen-Lee van der Merwe

NETBALL U15B TEAM NETBALL U15C TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Michaela Rodrigues, Courtney Donaldson, Natania Harding, Back Row (L-R): Lizeka Rahlogo, Simona Coetzee, Leigh Gibson, Lebo Maboa,
Bronwin Sebonka, Sheryl Lepedi Comfort Mangisa
Front Row (L-R): Mametse Maropyane, Dominique Rossi (Captain), Front Row (L-R): Inolopatseng Moepi, Basetsana Mamogale (Captain),
Ms B Grover, Deirdre van Niekerk (Vice Captain), Obakeng Moropa Mrs S Ntuli, Boitumelo Phadi, Mamphokeng Modiba

100 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

Netball

NETBALL U15D TEAM NETBALL U14A TEAM
Absent: Flourish Oluwamakinde Back Row (L-R): Buhle Dube, Tayla Cromhout, Khensani Shibambo,
Back Row (L-R): Naashida Mills, Aratha Zimandu, Tsholofelo Molepe, Kendal Grant, Kristen Marshall
Demi van Straaten, Naledi Pooe Front Row (L-R): Tayla Frans, Mr F Pretorius, Mrs R Matthyse,
Front Row (L-R): Mumbi Kangulu (Captain), Mrs S Ntuli, Georgia van Wyk Phindile Shongwe

NETBALL U14B TEAM NETBALL U14C TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Tshedi Mokoele, Holly Kearns, Kuhle Besman, Back Row (L-R): Izzy Mahlanga, Charmaine Bosma, Mishqah Parsotam,
Refiloe Manyoapelo, Chantelle Pienaar, Palesa Sebego, Bella Gioia Jade Joubert, Mbali Nzimande
Front Row (L-R): Bianca Human, Mr F Pretorius, Mrs R Matthyse, Front Row (L-R): Mishka Kramer, Ms L Moss, Daniell Rosa
Boipelo Mokgale

NETBALL U14D TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Naledi Mafela, Favour Nwabunwanne, Nicola de Bruin
Front Row (L-R): Tlou Lekgau, Ms L Moss, Thando Mbonani

101The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Squash

Squash

SQUASH 1ST TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Bronwyn Doeg, Alexia Doeg, Isa van Zyl
Front Row (L-R): Lauren Pijper (Vice Captain), Mrs J de Sousa (Organiser), Sarah Heuer (Captain)

The year 2013 was a successful and exciting year for the PHSG SQUASH TOP SCHOOLS
Squash girls. A special mention and congratulations are due to Back Row (L-R): Shannon Pullock, Bronwyn Doeg, Alexia Doeg, Isa van Zyl
the following North Gauteng achievers: Sarah Heuer, Isa Van Front Row (L-R): Lauren Pijper (Vice Captain), Mrs J de Sousa, Sarah Heuer
Zyl, Alexia Doeg (U19A), Shannon Pullock (U19B) and Bronwyn (Captain)
Doeg (U14A). thank you for your endless support and motivation which has
2013 began with the Grade 8 Fun Tournament where immense enabled us to be so successful this year and to enjoy the sport
talent was identified amongst a large group of enthusiastic Grade that we love. I would like to wish all the girls the best for their
8s. On the 14th of February we were hosted by PBHS at our future Squash careers.
annual Valentine’s Day Squash match, where we played singles and Sarah Heuer
fun doubles matches. We narrowly lost to the ever so strong Boys Captain
High top six. During May the First Team attended the National
Girl’s Schools’ Festival in Johannesburg. After a long weekend of
gruelling and tough matches, we ended fifth overall which was a
pleasing result for our first event as a new First Team. We were
also chosen as the number 1 All Girls Squash Team in Pretoria
and thus we were invited to participate in the Top Schools’ Squash
Tournament in Pietermaritzburg. This national tournament is
renowned for its participation by top schools from around the
country. In the end, our First Team ended fourth overall. It was a
very pleasing result making us the fourth best Squash school team
in South Africa.
I would like to thank all the girls in all the teams for their efforts
and hard work which they have put into Squash this year. Then
a special thanks to Mrs Wright, Mrs Pike and Ms Buchel and
the other liaison staff for all the hours they’ve given to Squash
this year. To our coach, Mwansa Chilese, and Mrs de Sousa,

102 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

Squash

SQUASH B TEAM SQUASH C TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Rachel Glass, Brigitte Winterstein, Bronwyn Thomas Back Row (L-R): Taryn Gerber, Kaitlin Stuber, Alexandra Pashkin
Front Row (L-R): Shannon Pullock, Mrs J de Sousa (Organiser), Front Row (L-R): Nikita Claassen, Ms M Buchel, Canzonette Malherbe
Mignon van Zyl

SQUASH D TEAM SQUASH E TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Jessica Colley, Niharika Bhardwaj Back Row (L-R): Tina van der Breggen, Cindy Cherry
Front Row (L-R): Monica Esterhuizen, Ms M Buchel, Matika Ras Front Row (L-R): Tiffany van der Merwe, Mrs H Wright, Justine King

SQUASH F TEAM SQUASH BEGINNERS
Back Row (L-R): Josie Martin, Marcail Wragg Absent: Laurentia Bopela, Jacquiline Andrew, Maryam Sanatkaran, Savina Popov
Front Row (L-R): Basetsana Mamogale, Mrs H Wright, Karen Collins Back Row (L-R): Kenya Thomas, Rebecca Nel, Linda Robinson,
Victoria Holding, Doné Kilian
Front Row (L-R): Khanyisile Hlalethoa, Mrs S Pike, Cayla Rosenblatt

103The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Swimming

Swimming

The 2013 Swimming season has shown each and every swimmer Results of Pretoria A Inter-High – Hillcrest 19 February
in a new light this past year. In the beginning of the season, many 1. AHM A 682
of the girls anxiously awaited to meet their new bunch of Grade 2. Menlopark A 680
8 swimmers who proved to be a talented bunch of young ladies. 3. DSG 620
The swimming season began with the spectacular St Mary’s Summer 4. Crawford 600
Splash Gala, which was the great deal of fun it is every year. Every 5. PHSG A 598
Thursday the A Team spent time swimming in Johannesburg and 6. Cornwall Hill 590
the long bus rides were filled with Science homework, napping 7. Woodhill 480
and excitement for the evening to come. Our Inter-House gala 8. Garsfontein 468
took place early in the first term, leaving navy blue victorious - 9 Hatfield Christian School 465
congratulations to Connaught for taking home the cup. It was a
huge honour for each PHSG swimmer to attend the 2013 Aquatics Pretoria B Inter-High Gala – Girls’ Section
Festival Gala held at our very own Hillcrest Swimming Pool on 1 1. AHM B 337½
February. This gala was a great success and an unbelievable amount 2. Menlopark B 289
of fun. The support from our fellow supporters was incredible. 3. Willowridge A 270
Soon after our home-hosted gala, we hopped on a bus and slowly 4. Midstream 263
made our way to Pietermaritzburg where the world’s number 5. PHSG B 257½
one open water swimming event took place: the Midmar Mile. 6. Oos Moot A 201½
The weekend was filled with fun and excitement and it was the 7. PHSG C 159½
highlight for most of the girls’ swimming seasons. Congratulations 8. Eldoraigne A 145
to Ms Dorlas for completing her 22nd Midmar Mile which is an 9. Sutherland B 141
amazing achievement and a great example for our girls. Another 10. Montana A 127
congratulations go to Kelsey Taljaard for finishing first out of our
girls. The Pretoria Inter-High galas were filled with more great Results of Johannesburg Premier Inter-High Gala
support and rivalry amongst brother and sister schools. Next we – 9 March 2013
took part in the PHSG and PBHS Swimming Championships. Our 1. St Andrews 317
A Team prestigiously attended the Johannesburg Inter-High and it 2. St Marys 286
was the last gala of the season. 3. St Stithians 245
Great thanks must be said to MsDorlas for supporting and leading 4. Holy Rosary 188
us to victory, Mrs Albertyn for keeping our spirits up and Mrs du 5. Kingsmead 185
Toit, Mrs Schoombie and Mrs McNair for being there to support 6. PHSG 131
our galas where possible. 7. Brescia House 126
Many swimmers ask, ‘what the key to success is?’ and my answer 8. Parktown Girls 86
is: when you feel as if you can’t swim any faster, hold your breath
any longer, kick any harder, just keep on going because greatness is Taryn Kotze
only milliseconds away.” Captain

104 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

Swimming

SWIMMING A TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Melissa Langley, Alexia Doeg, Kendal Grant, Deirdré van Niekerk, Kelsey Langley, Kirsten Coetzee
3rd Row (L-R): Tegan Baker, Lexie Reeler, Alexa Robinson, Jemimah Smith, Kristin Ellis, Courtney van Biljon, Kelsy-Amor Taljaard
2nd Row (L-R): Michelle Swanepoel, Franki-May Tooley, Kristen Marshall, Muniek Swart, Lucy de Costa, Emma Scheffer, Nicola Antoniazzi, Jade Nel
Front Row (L-R): Sasha Lordan, Caitlin Manley, Taryn Kotze (Captain) , Ms S Dorlas, Chelsea Hayes (Vice Captain) , Cassandra Kastner, Jamie Brown

SWIMMING B & C TEAMS
Back Row (L-R): Lulu Tooley ,Yaelin Tate, Charmaine Bosma, Jennifer Meyer, Mia Kopplinger, Cassidy Murphy, Jodi Steytler
5th Row (L-R): Danielle Schweiger, Regina Maepa, Alexia Gioia, Kaylah Mascini, Jade Gower-Jackson, Ingrid Roos
4th Row (L-R): Marie Malan, Danica Wolfaardt, Tayla Cromhout, Nicola de Bruin, Isabella Gioia, Paige Els, Charis van Rie
3rd Row (L-R): Keina Jooste, Micaela Rodrigues, Robyn Murphy, Courtney Anderson, Cami van der Berg, Hayley Elcombe, McKyle Clarke, Ellen Maartens
2nd Row (L-R): Hannae Meyer, Jenica de Encarnacao, Lauren McAllister, Ariami Joubert, Holly Kearns, Megan Gerber, Robyn Bezuidenhout, Tyla Grobler,
Lisa Lastrucci
Front Row (L-R): Carol-Kate Chapman, Devin Oelofsen (Captain), Samantha Black (Captain), Ms S Dorlas, Mrs M Albertyn, Ashley van Zyl (Captain),
Chandré Jooste, Jean-Marie Rossouw

105The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Tennis

Tennis

TENNIS 1ST TEAM
Absent: Krisanka Redelinghuys
Back Row (L-R): Isabella Chela, Kirsty Pepworth, Michelle Roux
Front Row (L-R): Kiara Maher, Ms T Terblanche, Lauren Barnes

To play Tennis at PHSG is always fun, full of surprises and pure tarred surfaces, and our takkies worn out from the friction on the
pleasure. I quote Jimmy Connors: ‘Tennis is never work for me; court, we continued training diligently and were consoled with
tennis is fun and the tougher the battle and the longer the match, icies at the end of many practices.
the more fun I have.’ This is the attitude I have noticed in every The PHSG family is evidence that Tennis begins with love. Even
PHSG Tennis player this year, helping each grow from strength to though there are days when it feels as if the serve was invented for
strength and taking their game to the next level. the net, the girls always put a smile on their faces and kept playing.
Every occasion, match, lesson, training session or tournament The girls took part in many competitive tournaments, festivals
always went off without a hitch and this is thanks to our coach, and fun Tennis derbies throughout the year and established many
Tarryn Terblanche, who always keeps our Tennis standards high relationships with teams across the country and we have gained
and shows us that the difference between the impossible and new arch rivals. In the St Mary’s Festival as well as the All Girls’
possible lies in our own determination. Our feet, warm from the Festival, the girls played a number of challenging matches and
came fifth. The junior teams took part in the invitational annual
TENNIS 2ND TEAM Liezel Huber tournament at AHMS and came sixth amongst all
Absent: Saskia Redelinghuys the teams from different provinces. This year there were four
Front Row (L-R): Amy Hatton, Annebelle Bettman, Ms T Terblanche, senior teams and three junior teams competing in the league.
Lauren Barnes All the teams enjoyed the Eunice Derby day and lost marginally
by only one game. We closed off the year by introducing a new
106 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris tournament involving mixed doubles between PBHS, PHSG,
St Mary’s and St Albans. The teams from PBHS
and PHSG had good camaraderie and achieved
success by defeating their opponents 11-1. We
are extremely proud of our striving players
achieving SA Colours and Gauteng North
Colours this year. Kiara Maher, received
Honours for Tennis and will represent
South Africa abroad this year. Michelle
Roux achieved Gauteng North
Colours and she will assist in uphold
ing the Tennis at Pretoria High
School for Girls. Well done to
these players.
Krisanka Redelinghuys
Captain

Tennis

TENNIS 3RD TEAM TENNIS 4TH TEAM
Absent: Tamra Golob Back Row (L-R): Arantxa Blecher, Lucy da Costa, Meeghan Scheffer,
Front Row (L-R): Kaylee Benkenstein, Jennifer Mimbulu, Ms T Terblanche, Marlise van Tonder
Olivia Lofthouse Front Row (L-R): Ariami Joubert, Ms T Terblanche, Jessica Heath

TENNIS JUNIOR A TEAM TENNIS JUNIOR B TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Antonia Chela, Isabella Chela Absent: Bronwyn Doeg
Front Row (L-R): Simone Pretorius, Ms T Terblanche, Meeghan Klomp Front Row (L-R): Jode Georgiou, Chané Theron, Danny Wolfaardt,
Ms T Terblanche

TENNIS JUNIOR C TEAM TENNIS JUNIOR D TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Michaela Worthington, Sinazo Magadlela Back Row (L-R): Marcail Wragg, Jade Gower-Jackson
Front Row (L-R): Shanelle Moopanar, Ms T Terblanche, Ashley Wilson Front Row (L-R): Courtney Anderson, Ms T Terblanche, Gemma Felton

107The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Volleyball

Volleyball

VOLLEYBALL U19A
Back Row (L-R): May Khalef, Leigh Chaiman, Caileen Lubbe, Priyanka Ramnath
Middle Row (L-R): Nadia Rossouw, Bontle Moatshe, Crystal Dick, Khutso Letsoalo, Caldey Roberts
Front Row (L-R): Bernadette Lowe, Ms B Cass, Retlametswe Matshego, Ms C Mdletshe (Coach), Vuyiswa Modisane

Volleyball 2013 is definitely a year that is not likely to be forgotten. year (for the First Team in particular) was the Jeppe Tournament.
This year would best be described as a roller-coaster, with its fair At this tournament, we discovered things about ourselves that
share of many highs and lows. The beginning of the year was without this tournament would have remained hidden. Looking
a challenge for all teams as many of the players had to adapt back now, that tournament was probably the most important in
to being put into a new team with many unfamiliar faces and building the strong bonds we hold today. The real work came
absolutely no knowledge of their teams' dynamics. This was a when the First and Second Teams were faced with the daunting
bit of a predicament for all the players, but we all pulled through task of preparing for the largest and toughest tournament of the
and progressed profoundly during the year with all teams having season and the Mahikeng Volleyball Festival. Regardless of all the
new players being introduced to replace players who had left the
achieved something both on, and off the court. team and the change in team dynamics, both teams managed to
We began our competitions with our annual ISSA pull through and left Mahikeng with pride and memories to last a
Volleyball Festival, which is generally used as our lifetime. The First Team managed to come fourth overall and we
warm-up tournament and the teams go for the left with a total of two awards and seven brand new volley balls.
experience rather than the competition. The It has given me great pleasure leading such a tenacious group of
teams played their hearts out and produced girls who are all so willing to learn and have an intense passion for
wonderful results. We then proceeded to the the sport that they play. Volleyball in PHSG can only get stronger
Fourways Tournament, where the U16As from now on and I truly believe that in the future, this sport will
played amazingly well and came second overall be rightfully recognised for its growing strength, success and
in their category, with the First Team coming passion.
fourth in their category. We then hosted our Tlami Matshego
very own tournament which was a huge Captain
success. The most difficult time of the

108 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

Volleyball

VOLLEYBALL U19B VOLLEYBALL U19C
Back Row (L-R): Amy-Leigh Goldman, Anastasya Papavarnavas, Tina Absent: Rebecca Fenn
Kondouli, Vhoni Radzilani Back Row (L-R): Melissa Muregerera, Magali Kiabilua, Leigh Sardie,
Middle Row (L-R): Kathryn Bredell, Ofentse Pheme, Lavita Nuvunga, Alizwa Manana, Kgali Ratsoana
Ami-Rose Nel, Paballo Mangale, Angelique de Kock Front Row (L-R): Shocky Shai, Ms C Park, Lerato Thabane, Ms C Mdletshe,
Front Row (L-R): Tumisang Letebele, Ms B Cass, Sabrina Colley, Mervelle Louis
Ms C Mdletshe (Coach), Vhuiwa Neluvhalani

VOLLEYBALL U16A VOLLEYBALL U16B
Back Row (L-R): Vashel Naidoo, Odette le Grange, Jessie Bule, Ferroudja Back Row (L-R): Keentswe Magodielo, Taeeun Kim, Tshego Dikgale,
Menhouk, Louise Burdett Mfanelo Maluleke, Benita Kiabilua, Giyfo Aihoon, Ayanda Zikalala
Middle Row (L-R): Mokgadi Letsoalo, Masego Ramabu, Lisah Dzemwa, Middle Row (L-R): Anastasia Nkhuna, Amanda Kwele, Calista Singh,
Mahlatse Motitswe, Jordan Lowe, Khanyisile Hlalethoa Emmerentia Tshiova, Boitumelo Dibakoane, Elsie Bokaba
Front Row (L-R): Phemelo Tshehla, Ms B Cass, Bianca de Aguiar, Front Row (L-R): Ashton Flowerday, Ms C Mdletshe (Coach), Sam Scott,
Ms V Sardinha-da Silva, Maryam Sanatkaran Ms C Park, Claire Jurisch

VOLLEYBALL U14A
Absent: Kayla Barnard
Back Row (L-R): Kayla Joao-Palm,
Lorraine Mogale, Georgia Platts, Tyla Gartland,
Nickyla Naidoo, Lesedi Tshabalala,
Alexia Daniel
3rd Row (L-R): Dominique Lockhart,
Lethabo Matlanye, Gillian Loffstadt,
Caitlin Holtzkampf, Skhanyiso Jako,
Tumelo Mokolane, Hannah van der Linde,
Zenaye Skosana, Basetsana Khanya
2nd Row (L-R): Nomsa Mahlangu,
Bronwyn Harmse, Avalon Ward, Bronwyn
Thomas, Courtney Truebody, Victoria Holding,
Nikita Claassen, Thando Mashalaba,
Desiree Mahlangu, Chelsea Roberts
Front Row (L-R): Jessica Botha,
Otsile Muzana, Reagile Malatji, Ms C Mdletshe
(Coach), Isabelle Ingoglia, Mrs Y Jackson,
Kayleen Makgabo, Phumlele Nsibande,
Vanessa Caldiera de Aguiar

109The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Water Polo

Water Polo

WATER POLO 1ST TEAM
Back Row (L-R): Alexa Gioia, Gabriëlle Schoeman, Kirsten Coetzee, Devin Oelofsen
Middle Row (L-R): Chandré Jooste, Catherine Kennard, Jade Ashmore, Tayla Wagner, Shannon Henry, Jemimah Smith
Front Row (L-R): Michelle Swanepoel, Chelsea Hayes, Samantha Chamberlain (Captain), Stephanie Fichardt, Keina Jooste

The 2012-2013 Water Polo season was definitely one to were low. A huge thank you goes out to our own personal
remember. The team this year consisted of many new and young cheerleaders on the side lines – our parents. Without their
players who, with their energy and spirit helped us reach new constant support and screams of encouragement, this season
levels. Even though the young ones outnumbered the ‘oldies’, the would never have been such a success. Special congratulations
previous season’s Water Polo players were brilliant mentors and to Shannon Henry for being the most improved player of the
role models for the newcomers. year and to Samantha Chamberlain for being awarded the most
We took part in Water Polo tournaments and games almost talented player of the year and for being chosen to represent
every weekend. Through the determination and dedication the tournament side for the Roedean Old Mutual Cup. A big
of the girls we placed sixth in the 2013 Aquatics Festival Gala congratulations must go to Chelsea Hayes who was not only
hosted by PHSG, fifth during the Roedean Old Mutual Cup, fifth awarded the ‘Most Dedicated Player of the Year’ award but
in the St Mary’s Big Splash Tournament and eighteenth in the she also received National Colours for Life Saving. We are all
Old Petrians Polo Festival. extremely proud of you Chels!
The countless hours of early morning and late afternoon training My advice to the 2013-2014 PHSG First Team players is: keep
sessions most definitely resulted in a close knit community. Polo pushing, keep believing and keep working hard. Progress was
is a sport where the mind, body and soul are all put on the line made in leaps and bounds this year and not only I, but all the
to help those players beside you reach their final goals. This supportive parents and past season players know that we as
season’s team did that, and more! Girls High have the potential to do great things. It’s only a
With the help of Ms Austin and our coach, Julia, skills and matter of time and hard work.
mindsets were acquired to make winning possible. Thank you Samantha Chamberlain
to them for their never-ending belief in us, even when times Captain

110 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

Water Polo

WATER POLO 2ND TEAM WATER POLO U16
Absent: Kirsten Harvey, Robin Reader Back Row (L-R): Brittani Korb, Kendal Cole, Danielle Roux, Alex Robinson,
Back Row (L-R): Kaylah Mascini, Andrea Hattingh, Carmen Colyn, Ashleigh Connell, Lwazi Khoza
Stephanie Baker Front Row (L-R): Lexi Botha, Mr F Pretorius, Monica Esterhuizen
Front Row (L-R): Tara Clancy, Sevoulla Floudiotis (Captain), Andrea Fortuin

WATER POLO U15 WATER POLO U14
Absent: Tia Dupuy Absent: Bronwyn Doeg
Back Row (L-R): Regina Maepa, Janie Mouton, Caela Gauché, Hayley Cooke, Back Row (L-R): Julia Tosi, Tayla Cromhout, Georgia van Wyk,
Danielle Schweiger Isabella Gioia, Kristen Marshall
Middle Row (L-R): Loraine Shuttleworth, Jénica de Encarnacao, Middle Row (L-R): Leah Mascini, Lexi Reeler, Kendal Grant,
Franki-May Tooley, Lindi Naudé, Caitlin Manley, Abigail Smit Chantelle Pienaar, Tegan Baker (Captain), Nicola Antoniazzi
Front Row (L-R): Deidre van Niekerk, Jodi Steytler, Mrs L Leslie, Front Row (L-R): Abigail Ashfield, Cami van den Berg, Mr F Pretorius,
Kelsey Langley, Bianca Fincham Carol-Kate Chapman, Natasha Zachariades

111The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Cultural Highlights

CSulptuorrtalHHighiglihglhigthsts

112 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

Music

Choir

SENIOR CHOIR
Back Row (L-R): Sarah Mirkin, Lungile Mahlangu, Claudia Summers, Ruby McGregor-Langley, Max le Roux, Nicci Lombard, Malebo Mamaregane, Megan Napier,
Dinoe More, Angela van Rooyen
3rd Row (L-R): Grace Luposo, Rebecca Ewang, Cheri-Lee Steyn, Tiiso Maluleke, Jodi Carlsen, Kea Tsebe, Ikgomotseng Sekwala, Abigail Zandberg, Micaela Cox,
Amy Gouws
2nd Row (L-R): Sharuth Milton, Kholeka Khuzwayo, Sunny Yang, Azile Mdleleni, Murunwa Masibigiri, Felicia Ntsitsi, Thabiso Moloto, Soneh Memela,
Daniella Correia, Kgolagano Maimane, Hope Mkonda
Front Row (L-R): Kganya Malefe, Chiara Wheatley, Olivia de Kock, Mrs R Mackenzie, Mrs R Spruyt, Ms C Botha (Head), Ellen Heydenrych, Federica Paris,
Ailyn Nienaber, Charlotte Dube, Dineo Mogale, Mbali Sebokedi.

This year the Senior Choir started off with our Choir weekend laude (90% and above) for their performance as well as winning
that consisted of intense vocal training, fun team building the best African performance. Our year did not end there as
games and an occasional treat of jelly babies along with the the Monday after our ATKV weekend in Bloemfontein we
great theme of Rock ‘n Roll Circus. Throughout this year the performed live with Arno Carstens at the Parkview Barnyard
Senior Choir attended a number of concerts and at the same Theatre and then finally, we ended off with our magical annual
time also had the opportunity to host many concerts where Pretoria High School for Girls Gala Concert and dinner which
we managed to share our incredible musical talent with other took place in the school’s pavilion.
passionate choral singers. We also had the exciting opportunity This year has been a fun-filled and interesting year for the Senior
to take part in a national competition called ATKV Applause, Choir. We are a small group of talented young ladies and our
which is an Afrikaans-based competition that is open to sisterhood bond only continued to grow and our love for one
primary and high school choirs. The primary objective of another only expanded.
ATKV Applause is the promotion of African songs and youth Best of luck for next year, seeing as it will be a fresh start for
choirs. The aim is to get choirs to sing African-based songs the Senior Choir due to Ms Charlotte Botha leaving to conduct
and to promote the enjoyment of choral singing. The finals the Drakensberg Boys Choir. I trust that the Senior Choir will
took place in Bloemfontein during the weekend of 25 – 27 continue to grow and improve and will always be a group of
July and the Senior Choir came second in the Girls Category, special young ladies.
fourth in the overall category and walked away with a cum- Federica Paris (Head)

113The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Music

JUNIOR CHOIR
Back Row (L-R): Thbang Malatji, Khanya Petje, Zozi Gwabeni, Marcail Wragg, Danielle Oelofse, Maricelle Immelman, Kia Monyokolo, Phumzile Mukhari,
Nkhensani Biko, Thandiwe Ndlovu, Karen Collins, Heejin Jung
4th Row (L-R): Qukeza Nokele, Gaby Sigalas, Kutlwano Malete, Storm Posthumus, Kelsey de Jongh, Vuyi Hoboyi, Ponahalo Mojapelo, Kay-Lee Squire, Paballo
Maubane, Thato Mochesame, Kimberleigh Majola, Julia Tosi, Myla van Straaten, Nicole Nortman
3rd Row (L-R): Eyerusalem Ataro, Lelethu Lily, Nokele, Stacey Sapsford, Mametse Moropyane, Tina Mabugu, Obakeng Moropa, Malebo Ramatsoa, Naledi Mnisa,
Hee-Rak Lee, Molemo Motau, Mokgadi, Ngwepe, Shamima Nakate, Themba Jiyane, Alexia Morezzi, Kayleen Makgabo
2nd Row (L-R): Tshepang Mabuela, Tshimollo Mnisi, Nothile Mphuthi, Alexandra Savvas, Phume Nsibande, Kea Ramonyai, Ntombi Khumalo, Claudia de Kock,
Zandi Dinwayo, Omphile Motsomane, Naledi Mametse, Jennilee Lawrence, Avril de Nation, Andronica Khoza, Lyrodia Samuel
Front Row (L-R): Mrs V Venter, Laurentia Bopela, Noko Makatu, Keneilwe Mmako, Misha de Beer, Tshepiso Baloyi, Mutsa Chimbo, Ms C Botha, Mathabo Mahlo,
Naa Shida Mills, Atlegang Nyatlo, Mmathabo Maredi, Mashoto Tsagae, Olive Olusegun, Marisa Krishnan, Mrs A Groenewald

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA YOUTH CHOIR Erika Braune has been in the Simphonia Juventi
Denise Onen, Dineo More, Cheri-Lee Steyn (Youth Orchestra) for five years playing the violin.

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Orchestra

ORCHESTRA
Back Row (L-R): Louise Burdett, Linette Kotze, Tsholofelo Mamogale, Phumzile Mukhari, Ye-Seul Cho, Deidre van Niekerk, Megan van Schalkwyk, Karina de Kock,
Natasha Victor, Lesego Maubane, Yeo-gyeong Kim
4th Row (L-R): Vanessa Reis, So-Jung La, Keabetswe Tsebe, Zozo Makuale, Michelle Roux, Tatiana Blecher, Flourish Oluwamakinde, Ye Bin Cho, Charissa Holdt,
Kgaladi Moropyane, Omphemetse Malebye, Claudia de Kok, Shannon Wardlaw
3rd Row (L-R): Christine Valente, Quekeza Nokele, Zeenat Salie, Pusuletso Phofa, Eternal Longi, Sarah Mirkin, Helen Wu, Tamryn Thomaz, Lorraine Shuttleworth,
Heejin Jung, Shulami Oh, Chante Fortune
2nd Row (L-R): Helen Napier, Firdaus Salie, Chiara Wheatley, Collia Nicolaides, Jessica Jung, Rebecca Harle, Denise Onen, So-Ri La, Roquel d’Almeida,
Shanesia Rugbar, Sandisiwe Mdoda, Leigh Cruywagen
Front Row (L-R): Kganya Molefe, Yoo-Kung Ha, Ailyn Nienaber, Erika Braun, Mrs V Hohls (Concert Master), Kelly Glover (Head), Ms M Ford, Shirna Beharrie
(Vice-Head), Ishara Wheately, Yuri Bhaga, Tiniyiko Manganye

What a busy and exciting year the Orchestra has had. Under Festival and the first ever PHSG Orchestra Festival, along with
Mrs Hohls’ watchful guidance (and very funny antics) we have Affies Seuns and Meisies, Waterkloof Hoër and St Johns. After
grown to an impressive 65 members! Although we have had so a highly successful term we finished with a bang at Four
many juniors play in the Orchestra this year, they have coped Schools and even made history by performing at the RCL
exceptionally well and we were able to play a rather difficult Induction for the first time. To crown off our year, we
repertoire ranging from eCleggtic and The Prayer, to our Four took part in the glamorous Night at the Proms.
Schools’ Grease medley, Jupiter and Thula Baba (performed with In order to achieve such cohesiveness and magical music-
Rythmony). making, many hours have gone into rehearsing and
Because of our wonderful new repertoire, as well as the growth administration and for this we would like to thank
in our popularity, the Orchestra has been incredibly busy with three special ladies. Thank you to
performances this year. We started our year, performing at the Frau du Toit for her undying
Aquatics Festival Gala in February, hosted by our school. We support, to Mrs Ford for her
also performed at the annual Mother’s Day Concert where we organisational skills and, finally,
collected books instead of money for tickets (which we later to Mrs Hohls, our music
distributed, with cake, to St John’s Catholic Orphanage). Our teacher, our conductor and
busy programme further included performing at the Bible our loving Orchestra mother.
Society promotional evening, The National Girls’ Schools’ Kelly Jay Glover (Head)

115The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

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Night at the Proms

116 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

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117The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Music

Blue Tie

BLUE TIE
Back Row (L-R): Claudia de Kok, Cheree Janse van Rensburg, Mrs A Racionzer, Karina de Kock, Caylin Nel
Front Row (L-R): Linette Kotze, Cristina Valente, Siwe Mdoda, Qukeza Nokele

Woodwind Ensemble

Back Row (L-R): Purcell Suen, Tatiana Blecher, Ye-Seul Cho, Tsholo Mamogale, Yeogyeong Kim, Puseletso Phofa
Front Row (L-R): Helen Wu, Arantxa Blecher, Mrs N van Wyk, Shirna Beharrie, Sarah Mirkin

118 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

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Rhythmony

RHYTHMONY
Back Row (L-R): Koketso Tjiane, Malaika Eyoh, Andrea Le Goabe, Grace Luposo, Nicci Lombard, Modibana Masipa, Gisela Jacobs, Nokwazi Kola,
Melissa Muregerera
Middle Row (L-R): Mrs I Maas, Kitso Mofokeng, Hope Mkanda, Azile Mdleleni, Boitumelo Moloto, Tshegofatso Tleane, Mona Lisa Gqwede, Obamelang Tondgoane,
Sharon Peters, Mr M Ndlovu
Front Row (L-R): Kea Pooe, Lelani Mbukwane, Keorapetse Baholo (Deputy), Obakeng Makoloi (Head), Kholeka Khuzwayo, Mbali Sebokedi

Rhythmony was truly blessed throughout 2013 which proved thank you for your endless guidance, patience, encouragement
to be a journey of growth and vocal development. This has and motivation. Gratitude is due to her for her tireless efforts
led to the growth of our entire ensemble which is composed of that she committed to the success of the group this year. As
talented singers, all united in our love for music. she retires at the end of this year, we wish her all the best. To
A Rhythmony rehearsal would not be complete without a life Mr Ndlovu, your passion, talent, determination and support
lesson from Mr Ndlovu. A phrase that has always stood out for have led us to great heights. It is through your belief in us that
me was: ‘No talent was ever given to be wasted. Remember always our ensemble continues to prosper and flourish.
To the Rhythmony ladies, there are no words to describe your
to give your best during rehearsal so that musical ability and strong characters. You are all great musicians
every time you create something magical, and I commend each one of you for your cooperation this year.
you are able to do it again, and again, and The effort each of you has made to improve your individual
again’. talent and let the group shine as a unit is appreciated.
A big thank you goes to Mrs Hohls and And finally, to the Rhythmony Head in 2014: I trust that under
the Orchestra for always believing in your guidance, this special group will continue to grow and
Rhythmony and inviting us to join delight audiences. Trust in Mr Ndlovu’s guidance and enjoy
the Orchestra for performances. every moment. See this not as a duty but as an opportunity to
Thank you to Mrs Cÿrus who so bring credit to the ensemble and to do amazing things. There is
willingly let us have rehearsals in music in the air – let it be, and let it guide you.
her classroom every Wednesday Obakeng Makoloi (Head)
afternoon. To Mrs Maas, we say
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Clubs and Societies

HEADS OF CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Absent: Natasha Keenan (Sound and Lighting), Krisanka Redelinghuys (Peer Tutor Programme), Ailyn Nienaber (Choir), Kika Paris (Choir), Obakeng Makoloi (Rhythmony)
Back Row (L-R): Tegan Mouton (Newspaper), Nicole Esterhuizen (Ceramics Club), Gemma Priest (Art Club), Marilie du Plooy (Science Club),
Denise Onen (Poetry Club)
Middle Row (L-R): Megan Hardwick (Drama), Hlogi Mohale (First Aid), Louise van Tonder (House Tutors), Precious Majwafi (Museum),
Micaela Cox (Photography Club), Siya Mbatha (Public Speaking), Kelly Glover (Orchestra), Irene Mpofu (Debating SACEE)
Front Row (L-R): Masego Raseroka (Drama), Kelebogile Malefo (Library), Gontse Letsapa (SICC), Mrs D McCusker, Zola Nzimande (Contact Club),
Sibongile Masemola (Peer Counselling), Morategi Kale (Debating –UN Amnesty International)

Amnesty International

The Amnesty International Society at Pretoria High School for ‘The Cry of the Iris’
Girls is part of a global movement in more than 150 countries that Excerpt from the assembly speech for ‘The Cry of the Iris’
campaigns for an end to Human Rights abuses. As a pro Human 'Every green-dressed girl sitting in this hall today is connected
Rights school, this year, Amnesty International has played a more by a thread so delicately interwoven into our lives that almost
proactive role in trying to ensure that the principles of human goes unnoticed. We are women. We are united by the rights that
rights are upheld in the school. As the Amnesty Club, we asked girls govern our lives and we are fuelled by the passion to keep those
in the school to fill out a questionnaire to assess to what extent they rights alive. We are fighting a war daily, just to declare our bodies
think that our rights are respected at the school. After analysing the as our own. What kind of a world do we live in, if people don’t
information from the questionnaires, we found that the ladies felt come running out of their houses at the sound of a woman’s
that others didn’t show respect for their possessions or personal screams? How could you possibly justify not bothering to stand
space. Therefore, we launched a project in assembly which focused up and speak for those who have been forcibly silenced?
on the respect that the girls had to practise in their form classes. The only reason you are able to sit here today is because of
Another exciting aspect of Amnesty this year was ‘The Cry of the women who made a decision to make a change years ago.
the Iris’. We teamed up with the Art Department to create a They marched. They protested. They wrote letters! Words
work of art that protested against abuse and especially, sexual have power and if a picture holds within its personalised
abuse in the country. This was a great project as it got the whole creation, a thousand words; all the more reason to
school involved and made efforts in raising an awareness on the get creative.
issue. Thank you to Mrs Greenberg and Mr Tshabalala for their See, you don’t have to be a writer to right
outstanding contribution to Amnesty International. the wrongs that society forces on us despite
2013 was also the first time that Amnesty International had a – and in spite of – our rights, and it all
display stall at the Spring Fair. It went well and we hope that it will starts with you. Ladies, this is, for all of
continue to grow and inform the public. you an opportunity to make a statement.
Thank you to Mrs Bloem for her dedication to the society. We We want you to be involved. To step
are inspired by the time that you put into the society and your out of your comfort zone and tell
fighting spirit for our voices to be heard in the school. South Africa that you will not be
Moretegi Kale (Grade 12) silenced. For this to work, we
need each girl in this school to

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contribute. Search yourself. Find every scrap of emotion you allow them to be with the pieces of yourself that you entrust to
feel for this topic and put it to paper: write, draw, create. Spill us. The more you contribute, the louder this statement will be.
it out - write six letters if you wish! But for the sake of women The power is literally in your hands. Let’s stand together, as the
everywhere, make some noise! It doesn’t end there. We will future leaders of this country and make a noise. Together, we
create beauty from the pain and fill an entire hockey field with will make it loud.'
hundreds of Origami flowers. They will be as beautiful as you Já-nae Freel (Grade 10)

Art Club

Being Head of Art Club has been both a privilege and a pleasure
this year. I have seen some of the young ladies transform from
shy, timid girls into inspiring and creative budding artists. Girls
who joined on the very first day have been regular faces each
Thursday of each term. They are always ready to dive into a
project with enthusiasm and smiles. I have been lucky to have
had Elizabeth Kiggundu as my Vice Head, and I am confident
that she will take the lead with even more enthusiasm. The girls
have enjoyed the project and have gained several skills that will
help them in future, not only in terms of artistic ability, but also in
creative thinking, working within a group and confidence in their
own ability. The young girls in the club, still only juniors, have
produced some incredible work over the course of the year; it is
hard to believe that such young artists are able to produce work
of this calibre. Naturally, the club would never have functioned
without Ms Eaton, who has taught and inspired us throughout
the months. Her dedication and motivation have been a blessing
to the club. While incredibly sad to be leaving the girls who have
become close to my heart, I am so excited for them in the years
to follow. I hope one day to come back and see how their skills
have progressed further.
Gemma Priest (Grade 12)

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Bridge BRIDGE TEAM
Absent: Amy Ferreira, Samantha Smart
Bridge is an entertaining, challenging Back Row (L-R): Deone de Meyer, Gwen Viljoen, Alexandra Pashkin, Alex Potgieter, Caitlin Perfect,
and intellectual card game played Naline Boketsu Wenge, Faith Tarigna
with two pairs of partners. Tuesday Front Row (L-R): Naledi Pooe, Micaela Cox (Captain), Mrs J Cowan, Sharon Eagle (Vice Captain),
afternoons are never dull – there are Kamogelo Masango
faces full of concentration, excitement,
confusion and, of course, food and
laughter! Even though the club has been
small in number this year, it has been a
pleasure to see all enjoy themselves and
hone their skills.
The highlight in term three was a
friendly match against PBHS. Both
sides thoroughly enjoyed themselves
even though there was no clear winner
(due to an unaccountably missing score
card)!
Thank you to all the players, our coach,
Katy Godfrey, and Mrs Cowan, for a
wonderful year.
Micaela Cox (Grade 12)

Debating
After four years in the First Team and two
years as Captain of the PHSG Debating
Society, I can honestly say I am proud to
have been a part of this school's amazing
Debating Society.
In this year, we experienced great
successes and growth as a society and
as individual speakers. The speakers,
particularly the Grade 8s and 10s were
always eager to learn and be actively
involved in the society. This showed in
the improvement in the Junior Debating
Team which was coached by our very
own Old Girl, Jolandi Swanepoel. They
competed in the newly established
SACEE District rounds and at the end of
eight rounds the juniors progressed to the
championships in Johannesburg. Thanks SACEE AND WORLD SCHOOLS’ STYLE DEBATING
to the hard work of Jolandi and the team Absent: Shannon Wardlaw
- they broke first and advanced to the Back Row (L-R): Stacey Sapsford, Rebecca Ewang, Gama Mashigo, Tashie Zachariades
quarter finals where they unfortunately Middle Row (L-R): Mrs J Cÿrus, Karina de Kock, Ponahalo Mojapelo, Ellen Maartens, Mrs B du Toit
were knocked out by St Stithian's Girls. Front Row (L-R): Irene Mpofu, Ms J Swanepoel (Coach), Mr P Mangondo (Chief Adjudicator),
Mr C Hojem (Coach), Morategi Kale

This was a learning curve for the little
ones as they progressed to Junior Provincial rounds. They did my final year a year to remember. This team, consisting of
very well and broke to semi finals when they lost to King David Karina de Kock, Morategi Kale and Rebecca Ewang will always
Victory Park. I am extremely proud of them as a team and as be more than a team to me. They are true friends and it is
speakers, and their determination to do well. A special mention thanks to them that we managed to break second in the SACEE
must go to our Grade 8, Stacey Sapsford, who ranked 10th in League with seven out of eight wins and advance to the semi
Gauteng and Ponahalo Majapelo, who has been invited to trials finals in the SACEE championships. We won the Eunice Derby
for the Gauteng Junior Squad. I am so proud of the little ones Day and then, at the National Girls' Schools' Festival and
and know they will keep the debating flame alive at PHSG. came second to the hosts, Parktown Girls. At the Provincial
This year has also seen a massive improvement in the First Championships, we fought all the way to the top but then lost
Team, thanks to our phenomenal coach, Christopher Hojem to the winners of the competition, King David Victory Park.
and the endless research of Mrs Cyrus. These two exceptional This has honestly been a wonderful year. I will always be proud
people were always there to push, coach, groom and encourage to say I was a PHSG debater.
us as a team and I will be eternally grateful to them for making Irene Mpofu (Head)

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Model United Nations

MODEL UN DEBATIG MODEL UN SUMMIT
Back Row (L-R): Kate Kabe, Vani Pillay, Georgia van Wyk, Cameron Perumal, Mrs K du Toit handing over a certificate to Morategi Kale
Joyce Bongongo, Mona-Lisa Gwede, Kelicia Magerman who was chosen to represent the SA youth at the 2013 Brics
Front Row (L-R): Irene Mpofu, Mrs J Cÿrus, Morategi Kale, Mrs B du Toit, Sthembile Soko Summit in Durban.

Once again, it has been a busy year for MUN debaters. This year Sustainability Project at SAIIA. The team of Cameron Perumal,
we hosted a mini MUN conference on ‘Aid Effectiveness and Mona-Lisa Qgwede and Vani Pillay submitted a well-written essay
Oversight’ in co-operation with the South African Institute of which got them through to the second round of the competition
International Affairs (SAIIA). In this debate, Kate Hadebe was in which they had to present what they had written about.
awarded a gold certificate for the Best Speaker in the debate. Although the team did not win, both Cameron and Vani were
A delegation of two learners competed in the SAIIA BRICS debate identified as two of the four best speakers at the competition and
with Morategi Kale winning one of the two Best Speaker awards were thus invited to attend a Global Young Leaders’ conference
and the opportunity to attend the BRICS Summit in Durban. For at SAIIA in December.
the main annual MUN Conference in September, we entered three Overall, it has been a successful year for Model United Nations.
teams. The team which represented The Gambia (Morategi Kale, We don’t always win, but what does remain constant, is the amount
Joyce Bongongo and Tina Mabugu) in the African Union received of knowledge that we gain with every opportunity when we take
a special mention and Sinazo Magadlela received a Gold Certificate part in MUN. We would like to thank Mrs Cÿrus sincerely because
for the Best Speaker in her committee of the Security Council. without her, we might have missed these opportunities to learn.
This year, we entered another team into the Environmental Morategi Kale (Grade 12)

Contact Club

The Contact Club experience has been a remarkable one. To have
the privilege to serve the needy who truly appreciate the little bit
that is given to them brings more than a fuzzy feeling to one’s
heart. It brings a deep sense of gratitude. To work with a group of
passionate and committed ladies is one of the honours of serving
in such a worthwhile club. It’s when we give of our time and
hearts that we make a difference. What Contact Club has taught
us is that giving with a genuine desire to help and bless someone is
what really reaches the human heart. We’ve seen this in the excited
faces of the children at Silverton and at St John’s Church. No
matter where we go there is never an ungrateful heart or a heart
that does not touch our own. We had a successful cake sale in the
third term – a first for our club. Thank you to all the ladies who
have so passionately given to the people and to this club. You are
really remarkable. Thank you to Mrs van Heerden for never giving
up on caring for people even beyond the call of duty.
Zola Nzimande (Grade 11) and Betty Agaze (Grade 12)

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Drama Derby Day and at all afternoon practices and matches – looking
fairly fashionable in orange vests and ever ready and waiting to
2013 has been a very exciting year for the Drama Club as we care for the injured. From becoming closely acquainted with
experienced enormous growth in both numbers and talent. The Mieke van der Westhuizen (a frequently injured hockey player)
new members of the club worked hard to improve their acting to working many hours and doing our shifts, all thirty First
skills. Some of the highlights included creating rain storms, Aiders did their jobs with dedication, patience and passion. As
making a music video and having our skits filmed for an Amnesty a society, the First Aid group has become a family. Working
International video! Towards the end of the year we enjoyed an together from strength to strength and kit to kit, the society
afternoon at PBHS in improvisation and hysterical laughter as has grown and to this day the society continues to attract more
we shared techniques and made new friends. This year would young ladies who have a passion for disinfecting wounds. Thank
not have been possible without Sandra Siakam and most of all, you to Sister Tanya for her guidance and support.
Ms Russell, who is the life and soul of the club. Without her the Hlogi Mohale (Grade 12)
club would not exist. Thank you ma’am for everything you have
done and for instilling a passion for the theatre in all of us. We
are very sad to leave the PHSG stage, but we hope to see all our
young actresses showing off their talents in future House plays
and school productions.
Megan Hardwick (Head) and Masego Raseroka (Vice-Head) (Grade 12)

First Aid

Emergency plasters, muscle-cramp creams and ice-packs for
injuries – these were all in a day’s work for the First Aid Society
in 2013. Like most occupations in the medical field, selection is
based on the theories formulated by Charles Darwin – survival
of the fittest: whoever makes it to the notice board first – then
the training begins. A four-day course on the art of saving a
life can be compared to a few episodes of Private Practice.
From performing the CPR-procedure on ‘crash-test’ dummies
and the Heimlich manoeuvre on our significant other (First
Aid buddy), the First Aiders were trained and prepared for the
medical apocalypse. First Aiders can be spotted at events like
the annual Inter-House Athletics Meeting, House Week, Eunice

FIRST AID
Back Row (L-R): Michelle Roux, Keabetswe Tsebe, Zoe Kalbskopf, Odette de Grange, Charlene Feens, Tsholo Mamogale, Maryam Sanatkaran, Claudia van Rooyen,
Vhoni Radzilani, Danielle Roux
Middle Row (L-R): Asha Das, Hulisane Nefale, Letsabana Ledwaba, Tatiana de Aveiro, Kgaladi Moropyane, Hayley Elcombe, Mashán van Biljon, Kgothatso Kgosane,
Lwazi Khoza, Lebo Motollo
Front Row (L-R): Mia van Schalkwyk, Ishara Wheatley, Sarah Seo, Andrea Hattingh, Sr T Shenfield-Schwartz, Hlogi Mohale, Bernadette Louw, Betty Agaze,
Angela Gemeliaris

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House Tutors Library Monitors

Even the smallest drop of water can Absent: Nombali Mahlangu, Thobeka Duma, Leigh Pillay
make ripples through the entire pond. Back Row (L-R): Ikgomotseng Sekwala, Vasalya Moodley, Talia Moodely, Cameron Perumal,
The House Tutors of 2013 were a small Lufuno Sigwadi
group of only thirty girls, but each had a Middle Row (L-R): Merveille Luis, Angelicah Kiggundu, Kurston Fortuin, Deborah Amenigy,
profound effect on the lives of her Grade Fiona Pikirayi, Camille Samson, Mabongi Nyalungu, Mathabo Mahlo
8 tutees. Many Grade 8s find that Girls Front Row (L-R): Olivia de Kok, Mitchelle Baloyi, Sibo Masemola, Mrs A Muller, Kele Malefo,
High’s standards are hard to live up to, and Kelly Anthony, Andie Burroughs
initially feel despondent, but the House
Tutors take them by the hand and guide
them with patience and kindness. This
year each House Tutor inspired her tutee
to reach new goals and to do the best she
possibly could. The sense of fulfilment
that accompanies each success, even a small
one, is enormous. This dedicated group of
girls put in a huge amount of effort and
were always prepared to help. The House
Tutoring Programme would not, however,
have been possible without the expert
guidance and dedication of Ms Turpin
and Mrs K du Toit. Our gratitude goes to
both these dedicated teachers and to the
House Tutors for making this year another
successful one for the House Tutors.
Louise van Tonder (Grade 12)

Tutoring Ms Turpin. All new tutors come into the programme excited
and eager to learn, but are unsure of their motives when they are
The PHSG peer tutors all work and help as one body. This year confronted with the question: ‘Why do YOU want to be a tutor?’
was extremely busy and all of the tutors, House tutors, Tutor In only two days Ms Turpin expertly puts each and every tutor on
Leader Committee and TLC executives should be congratulated the right track with the promise that her hard work is worth it and
for all the hard work they have put into this invaluable service to in the end it is the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped
the school. The Peer Tutor Programme has grown significantly someone improve her understanding and confidence in a subject
this year and because of this we have had to run things slightly that makes it all worthwhile. ‘We ask ourselves, who am I to be
differently. The tutors were all notified through email and this brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who
helped with the running of the programme. are you not to be?’ – Nelson Mandela. This is exactly the attitude
There is a person, in particular, who runs the whole program instilled in the tutors of 2013 to help the tutees believe that they too
and who has such a passion for seeing our young ladies get can be brilliant, talented and fabulous.
the satisfaction of an understanding of something, and she is Krisanka Redelinghuys (Grade 12)

IN THE LIMELIGHT In the Limelight
Absent: Shannon Forbes
Back Row (L-R): Lisa Mawanganidze, Calista Singh, Malaika Eyoh, Talia Moodley, Pearl Lutwama, The reporters of ‘In the Limelight’ are
Simon van der Merwe, Zeenat Salie, Ella Mosako enthusiastic young ladies who make every
Front Row (L-R): Unathi Nkomo, Nazneem Saib (Sub-Editor), Mrs J Cÿrus, Tegan Mouton (Editor), meeting interesting. This year we saw a small
Boitumelo Moloto increase in our numbers and the return of some
loyal faces. As a team we were able to produce
a newspaper once a term and in the process we
improved our writing skills, took great interest
in school events and made new friends. This
would not have been possible without the
involvement of Mrs Cÿrus who was always
available for suggestions and guidance, and the
lovely photos Mrs Manders always provided
with pleasure. Our weekly meetings have
been a wonderful part of my five years at the
school and I have no doubt that the new editor,
Nazneen Saib and sub-editor, Mishka Wazar,
will welcome many new members and continue
to produce a wonderful newspaper.
Tegan Mouton (Grade 12)

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Museum Club MUSEUM MONITORS
Absent: Thabiso Mthombeni
2013 will be a year to remember for Back Row (L-R): Masego Mahlatjie, Solange de Freitas, Jayde Menelaou, Jade Gower-Jackson, Daphney
the Museum Club. Not only have we Maponya, Zozo Makaula
accomplished a lot as a club, but because Middle Row (L-R): Chane Engelbrecht, Kemisetso Phakathi, Lekoetse Mando, Oratile Mosiane, Palesa
of friendship and a sisterly bond we have Mataitsane, Claudia de Almeida van der Walt
been able to grow in number. The year was Front Row (L-R): Keitumetse Salagae, Precious Majwafi, Mrs A Campbell-Atkins, Masego Raseroka,
also filled with joyous moments whereby Celia Yeung
we got to share our laughter, creativity and
passion within the club. Our hard work
remained constant throughout the year as
we got to work on projects such as the Old
Girls Reunion.
The Museum Club would not have been
possible without the guidance, loyalty and
devotion of Mrs Campbell-Atkins, Masego
Raseroka and the girls themselves. We
contributed a great deal towards the school
with our timeless efforts and for that I would
like to salute you all and wish you all the best
in the coming years.
Precious Majwafi (Head)

Photography Club took over for me for almost the entire first term when I couldn’t
be there and she arranged something brand new to learn every
This year has been busy and exciting with loads of new things single Thursday afternoon when my creativity levels (and energy
to do and learn, including working in the darkroom, with levels) were at an all-time low. I thoroughly enjoyed the year and
studio lighting, making pinhole cameras and sometimes simply I leave knowing that this club is in good hands. Good luck to all
going back to basics and taking a few shots around our very the current and future members and stay passionate about this
photogenic school. Thankfully I was not alone this year and incredible art form!
I owe a HUGE thank you to my trusty help, Deputy Kaitlin Micaela Cox (Grade 12)
Bester. Without her I would not have survived this year. She

Eloise Brooke (Grade 12) Shani Smit (Grade 12) Tamzin Durrant (Grade 12)

Shani Smit (Grade 12) Micaela Cox (Grade 12) Chelsea Klokow (Grade 12)

126 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

Clubs and Societies

Peer Counselling Peer Counselling group, together with the New Girls’ Committee,
hosted the new girls’ picnic where we played enjoyable games, ate
This year has truly been a most successful year for the Peer delicious snacks and welcomed the new Girls’ High girls the only
Counselling Committee and for that I am absolutely grateful. way we knew how - with open arms. As the Peer Counselling
The significant growth of the Peer Counselling group can only Committee, we strongly believe that we are the heart of the school.
be described as an achievement. The committee blossomed The dictionary of life would describe us as caring, sharing, loving
this year as we welcomed new Peer Counsellors. The dedication and compassionate. I would like to thank Mrs Godfrey for her
of the girls who sit every afternoon and do their duties is truly hard work and dedication and my executive team for assisting me
remarkable. Our Friday meetings encourage that we, as a during meetings and giving their all and for an exciting joy-filled
committee, bond as a group and learn from each other. The year. Three cheers to an incredible year!
inspirational poems shared and games played at the meetings Sibongile Masemola (Grade 12)
help to uplift and strengthen our bond as a group. This year the

Pottery

In a dusty, four-cornered pottery centre, girls are given the
opportunity to express their artistic sides through creating
whatever their hearts desire. A wide variety of items can be made,
from pinch-pots to tea-pots, to pet clay animals, just to name a few.
The possibilities are endless.
We encourage the girls to unleash their imaginations while still
being guided through the compulsory steps such as wedging.
Making gifts is a favourite. We create Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day
pieces as these are special, handmade and given with love.
There is limited space in the Pottery centre, therefore we
unfortunately only allow 20 – 25 girls to join per term. During the
first term, Pottery Club is packed with enthusiastic young ladies,
craving to try something new. Many of them remain or return
as they enjoy the vibe and the atmosphere. We also partake in
the annual Art Exhibition held by PHSG in the school hall. This
allows the girls to show off their works and even sell one or two
pieces. It is a wonderful centre, open to new ideas where artistic
works of all shapes and sizes are created.
Nicole Esterhuizen (Head)

127The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

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Public Speaking PUBLIC SPEAKING
Absent: Mia van Schalkwyk, Pooja Pundit
Public speaking is among the top ten fears Back Row (L-R): Tlhogi Mohale, Caitlin Allapatt, Tabo Mwila, Unathi Nkhoma, Onida Reter,
of South Africans. However, many orators Kristin Katzen, Rebecca Harle, Savannah Netherlands, Isa van Zyl
would disagree ‘Speech is power, speech is Middle Row (L-R): Larissa Liebenberh, Hinvira Sujan, Mishke Cassim, Kagiso Monyai, Kea Rakolle,
to persuade, to convert, to compel.’ (Ralph Caitlin Holtzkampf, Letsobana Ledwaba, Lethabo Motlanye, Reabetswe Sebetseba
Waldo Emerson). I can still remember Front Row (L-R): Lyrique Adams, Siwe Mdoda, Langa Sitshe, Mrs R Manley, Siya Mbatha,
my first speech in Grade 8. Sweaty palms, Kelly Anthony, Nthabiseng Matsimela
butterflies in my stomach and nausea
could not prevent me from presenting my
first speech. Nonetheless, over the years
our speeches have evolved and become
more sophisticated. We’ve provoked many
thoughts, planted many ideas and helped
form several opinions. This year could have
not been a better year for public speaking.
Memories were made and more friendships
were forged. The annual Van Huysteins
Orators’ Festival and Woodhill Festival
proved to be challenging. However, our
individual speakers and forums persevered
and excelled! Our society has grown not
only in numbers but strength. May the
society continue to grow from strength to
strength.
Siya Mbatha (Grade 12)

Science Club

Science Club started off with a group of girls, all very excited for a
year filled with experiments every Tuesday afternoon at 14:00. We
have had many laughs and interesting discussions. The teachers are
always willing to help and taught us a lot this year. Ms Mjadu, with
her caring nature, and Ms Rahman’s fun games and brainteasers
have made the Science Club what it is. We visited Sci-Enza and
saw the magnificent Camera Obscura at the University of Pretoria.
Some exciting experiments were done during the year, one of them
being ‘Elephant Toothpaste’ that the seniors presented to the
juniors. Projects were done for great prizes this year. Nicky won
R100 for her poster! Doing write-ups also helped the girls in their
subjects at school such as Physics and Life Sciences. Five years
in Science Club have taught us many things such as patience and
appreciation and more about science. Gemma’s obsessions with
fire have left some scared, but all-in-all it was a good year with great
memories. Thank you to Ms Mjadu and Ms Rahman.
Marilie du Plooy, Gemma Harrison and Elizabeth Kiggundu (Grade 12)

128 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

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Students’ Christian Association to
‘In every session, You are still God, and we have a reason
worship’ – Desert Song.
SCA this year has been an incredible God-led
journey for which we thank Him and give Him
the glory. We discussed different themes such
as love, how awesome our God is, worship, the
fruits of the Spirit and other relevant topics
during our Wednesday sessions. We also delved
deeper into the Word of God during our third
session’s cell group and Bible study where deep,
meaningful discussions took place and lasting
relationships were formed.
We were blessed to have hosted four of the
Four Schools’ Worship evenings where we SCA COMMITTEE
could worship God together as brothers and Absent: Onida Peter
sisters in Christ with the help of Eastside Back Row (L-R): Tiisetso Matlebyane, Masego Masoanganye, Tamryn Stewart, Cynthia van der Walt,
Community Church’s Worship Band. It has Tetelo Mpuru, Zola Nzimande
Front Row (L-R): Andrea Hattingh, Ms C Greenwood, Caylin Nell, Ms J de Kock, Masego Raseroka

been so encouraging to see members of the loving hearts. I pray that next year will be a year of great things
SCA grow in their relationships with God and each other. We as for next year’s committee and all who meet at SCA. We give
the Committee are humbled to have been a part of what God is thanks to God for His provision, love and grace which He has
doing in our school and other schools across the country. God’s poured out on us and the school as a whole. All glory to God
anointing on Ms de Kock, Ms Greenwood and the committee who has done and will do great things!
in their leadership of SCA has been so evident and they have Caylin Nell, Head and Andrea Hattingh, Vice-Head
touched the lives of many girls with their graceful spirits and

129The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

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Student Inter-Cultural Club our lives’. We took the audience on a
trip from the 1980s to the 21st century
The Student Inter-Cultural Club (SICC) is an extraordinary club with music, dances and fashion! The
consisting of girls who are willing to share cultural experiences girls involved in the show practised really
and traditional dances and talent. The motto of SICC has hard and performed beautifully. The
continued to be ‘Unity in Diversity’. We have successfully feedback this year was very positive!
managed to uphold our motto with just a little twist to it this Thanks to everyone who was involved in the show
year. On 19 April we had our annual Fashion Show evening in and SICC as a whole. Thank you Mrs Dowlath,
the school hall. This year’s theme was different to previous years Mrs Mjadu and my Vice, Oratile Rakale, who all
because, instead of focusing on the different cultures, we focused helped make SICC a success.
on the change that has taken place over the decades: ‘changes in Gontse Letsapa (Grade 12)

Sound & Lighting Ushers

Absent: Annie Oppler Back Row (L-R): Setsoaki Matubatuba, Ceinwen Rikkers, Malebo Sedibeng,
Back Row (L-R): Ikgomotseng Sekwala, Cindy Cherry, Tsholofelo Mamogale, Joseline Nkhoma, Tendo Ramugondo, Thobeka Duma, Micaela Romanos,
Tetelo Mpuru Warindi Kebera, Tando Nxenye
Middle Row (L-R): Boitumelo Moloto, Puseletso Phofa, Brittani Korb, Middle Row (L-R): Kamo Kgasago, Karabo Mabudusha, Thandi Beauchamp,
Shirna Beharrie, Rebecca Ewang, Hayley Elcombe, Ofentse Pheme, Denise Kabugujjo Varaidzo Sabeta, Karabo Moleleki, Azile Mdleleni, Khanyi Lephoko,
Front Row (L-R): Masego Raseroka, Tshepi Nthlane, Gontse Letsapa, Zidza Katenga, Luthando Dube
Ms J de Kock, Natasha Keenan, Michelle Nandi, Banele Motshweni Front Row (L-R): Micky Jooste, Sibongile Masemola, Vuyo Vika,
Sthembiso Mahlangu, Gabriela Marques, Katia Marques, Reabetswe Moutlana
130 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

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Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know? Waste-bin full of

paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These wordsEarne mgyloiwsn.hFrom my heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying t

write a classic. Don't you know, don't you knCowr,edaotni't vyoeu Wknroiwt?iWnagste-bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later

These words are my own. From my heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know, don
you know, don't you know? Waste-bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These words are my own. From my

heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know? Waste
bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These words are my own. From my heart flown. Trying to find the magic

To Be Deceiving – A work of Art Spring's Kaleidoscope

To be deceiving – a work of art. It’s a peculiar thought. Most The sun peeped its bulbous head over the freshly budding
would assume that a handful of sinful behaviour along with landscape. The revitalising sun had already begun to reboot the
a tweak of confidence ought to do the trick. However, in a previously bleak surroundings, brought on by the winter’s icy
series of recent events I have come to realise that maintaining grasp. Mother Earth was putting on her green dress and apron of
a deceiving lifestyle requires an immense degree of forethought, aromas, preparing to welcome the new season.
effort and above all, skill. These skills can be obtained through Rapture-blue skies seemed to expand into an infinite backdrop
pondering and practising a few key points … against which drifting dots flew, without a care in the world.
Point one, and possibly of the utmost importance – trust. Only Candy-floss clouds floated lazily in the celestial swimming pool,
trust can give birth to deceit. The absolute trust that a princess dappling the ground with their plump shadows. A delicate drizzle
of a daughter has toward her mother after being promised that a freckled the earth for a moment as a final wake-up call. The trickle
coin will lie in the place of her tooth the following morning; that of a nearby stream paralleled the shimmering sparkle of the dainty
unblemished trust a young chick holds that the wind will catch dewdrops. Plop. An acorn fell from a large tree sending ripples
its fragile body before it plummets into the ground as it’s being of hope throughout the land. All of the birds cheerfully chirped
urged out of its nest. Only once you have obtained this kind of of the blessings and beauty that would soon flood the fields with
trust can you successfully start practising deception. peace and tranquillity.
Point two, always have a back-up: your ‘go-to’ secret. Someone Sweet-smelling perfumes permeated the air. The warm red of
who would be willing ever-so-slightly to whiten the truth so it the roses replenished all the corners of the earth and harmonious
becomes a hazy lie. The characteristics of this ‘secret someone’ colours engaged the flowers in a joyful song. Cherry blossoms
are predefined: this person ought to be on your side and should sprouted in the trees and some bliss-pink petals fluttered delicately
be willing to overlook your somewhat questionable behaviour in about to form a carpet of dreams below. The rich red-breasted
order to help you achieve your ultimate goal. Also, it wouldn’t robin bounced joyfully along the ground, dodging small obstacles
hurt if your ‘go-to’ was one for thinking on her feet in heated of twigs and stones. Ah, a worm! The fleshy-pink body squirmed
situations. vigorously as it was plucked from the ground and gulped down
Point three, possibly the deal breaker in the art of deception: you gratefully. Pleasant warmth radiated from below as the earth’s
and the lovely little voice in your head we will conveniently name surface soaked up the warmth of the new fully risen sun.
your conscience. To be more specific, you and your conscience Golden glory reigned supreme as the sun smiled kindly upon the
need to be able to know and rationalise exactly what you are hustle and bustle of the world below. Yellow ribbons of sunshine
doing. You need to know that deceiving is the blackest of all danced through the ever-growing foliage, making spotlights on
wrongs punishable by torture with cigarette butts, stretch racks small daisies. A sea of sunflowers waved their merry heads to
and paralysing injections … However, in the same breath, amidst greet the coming spring and were greeted in return by the excited
the torture and all the wrong, to deceive well, you need to want whispers of crunching leaves. Mustard-coloured insects scuttled
to do it. It is important to convince yourself that you are being about amidst the friendly flapping of the monarch’s wings that
deceptive out of the purest of your intentions and in being would so fill the sky in an ecstatic frenzy.
deceptive you are only being true to yourself. As the sun flopped lazily down after a long day’s work, the opening
The subtle art of deception is as magnificently fragile as a ceremony drew to a close. The flowers tucked in their little heads
spider in its web and ‘oh what a tangled web we weave when and the birds nestled in the maternal branches of the trees. The
first we practice to deceive’. One can only conclude that amidst success of the day resonated through the rhythmic chirp of a single
the fragility and nervous tension in the air one will skilfully and cricket. Despite the looming darkness all that was, remained.
simultaneously create the most intricate artwork ever known. Glorious. Growing. Green.
Ailyn Nienaber – Grade 12 Kaylee Benkenstein – Grade 12

131The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

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Micaela Cox – Grade 12 Cayla Hayward – Grade 12

The Jabberwocky His heart pounding, breath racing, he hid, waiting for his nemesis.
And suddenly, One, two! One, two! The blade whistled through
'The Jabberwocky' from Through the Looking Glass by Lewis the air. And through and through! Into the beast, spilling its blood.
Carroll The vorpal blade went snicker-snack. It bellowed; a great, dying
groan. He left it dead and reached down, severing his gruesome
The old man slowly lowered his creaking, aching body into the trophy. With its head clutched in his hand, he scrambled onto his
soft cushions of his armchair. The eager little faces gazed up at horse and he went galumphing back.
him and he closed his eyes, recalling the ancient memories. And Proudly, he rode through the city, displaying his vanquished
so his story began… enemy. An impromptu procession formed, celebrations
“Twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe. abounding in the streets and marketplace. He reached his home
It was an awful year, that year. Famine, disease and drought swept and called out to his parents. His father came out, now an old
across our land. We knew when it started that it would be bad, man. “Hast thou hast slain the Jabberwock?” He reached out
you could tell; all mimsy were the borogroves and the mome raths his wrinkled arms to his son, his face alight with joy. “Come to
outgrabe.” my arms, my beamish boy. You have saved our people, avenged
“That year, suffering was great and we thought it could get no your sisters; you are our hero. O frabjous day!” he exclaimed,
worse; until it did. A great beast began to terrorise our land and dancing in the street. The young hero lifted his trophy and the
with it came its menagerie of devilish friends. When night fell, people shouted, “Callooh! Callay!” His father joined in, and he
the terror came; pillaging and burning entire villages and its name chortled in his joy.
was whispered with wide eyes and fearful reverence. Jabberwocky. The old man came back to himself and gazed at the fascinated
‘Beware the Jabberwock, my son!’ my father warned me, ‘The jaws little faces. “And that is the whole of it,” he said. “We knew when
that bite, the claws that catch!’ And his friends? Oh, the havoc ‘twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe.
they wreaked! When my sisters left to fetch water or feed the But we came through it and our land prospered. Am I not a rich
livestock, my mother would call out; ‘Beware the Jubjub bird and man sitting before you?”
shun the frumious Bandersnatch!’ But, alas, they did not listen, Slowly the young ones drifted away and he was left alone in
they did not listen.” his memories. And he remembered when all mimsy were the
And suddenly it was no longer a story: he was reliving every borogroves and the mome raths outgrabe and the Jabberwocky
second of that terrible nightmare. His sisters were gone. He took terrorised the people. Deep in his memories, in his comfortable
his vorpal sword in hand and he pledged, no matter what: he old chair, the old man once again entered the tulgey wood and
would vanquish this great, evil plague. He searched and searched, he became young once more. He heard the whispers on the wind
long time the manxome foe he sought. But it was nowhere to be and at long last, he was welcomed by his parents and siblings,
found and finally, exhausted, so rested he by the Tumtum tree and joining them in their everlasting sleep.
as he rested, stood awhile in thought. Ellen Krüger – Grade 12
Suddenly he heard it; a change in the air, new whispers in the
wind. And as in uffish thought he stood, he could hear it coming. Goddess
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame; red hot coals and burning
breath, came whiffling through the tulgey wood and he could At last you are here! I cannot see you yet, but I recognise the soft
hear its horrendous wheezing sound; it burbled as it came. vibrations of your footfalls on the netherland which you traverse
without difficulty. How you manage to breathe out there, I will
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never know. I have never seen any sign of gills or fins on your Carmen Joubert – Grade 10
(and I apologise for this) rather strange body.
Oh! But you are beautiful, with your seemingly arbitrary me. Until I realised it was because he was urinating on my
appendages where your fins should be. You somehow make your homework. He must have been a dragon in a past life. All fiery
awkward limbs appear graceful, and I’ve seen the way you contort and fierce, marking his territory wherever he went.
yourself when practising what I faintly recall being called ‘yoga’. I look at my form and read the question again, just to be sure.
Then again, my memory has never been of the best, so I might “What would you like to be when you grow up?” it says. Hmmm,
be wrong. I crinkle my nose and write down ‘doctor’, with a light pencil.
It makes me sad to see that you do not seem to realise what I am I could be a doctor. I love helping people. Sky laughs as his eyes
capable of. You speak to me as though I were a newly-hatched glimpse at my paper.
egg, cooing and barbling as to a child. But maybe it is better that “No ways, would you be a good doctor!” he says, “You can’t deal
you do not know that I watch you, listen to you. You will never with the sight of blood.”
know in what reverence I hold you, O harbinger of Food. You “I can overcome that obstacle!” I snap back at him, but I know
sit in silence and watch me dance for you, but you do not realise I can’t. I sadly erase the word doctor off the form and slam my
that I am watching you, too. pencil on the desk. If my mother were here she’d tell me to be
Your first kiss (he didn’t deserve you), all the late night arguments realistic. I roll my eyes as a whiff of her perfume burrows its way
and tears (they are not true friends if they hurt you so), your into my nose. Tears come to my eyes. There’s no hope. I take
self-doubt as you suck in your tummy while staring in the mirror out the Langston Hughes poem that Ms Bedford gave us, called
(when will you see how beautiful you are)? dreams and I read over it.
I have been present for all of this and far more, and through it
all, my sweet – albeit a bit blurry – goddess, I have seen that there Dreams
are none as special as you. When your life water leaks from your Hold fast to dreams
eyes, I fear that you have decided that you cannot go on … you For if dreams die
must be completely magical to be able to recover from losing so life is a broken-winged bird
much vital salt water from your looking-scales … That cannot fly.
I am nearing the end of my life cycle, Goddess, and I pray that Hold fast to dreams
you will be the one to take me to the Great Ocean in the life For when dreams go
beyond this. You exist in another realm, yet I see you and I know Life is a barren field
you to be real. Perhaps one day I will feel your perfect fingers Frozen with snow.
caress my fins as I lie in your hand, waiting in ecstacy for The
Deep to take me. Why didn’t I see this before? I know exactly what I want to be.
But maybe … Wait, I could have sworn that pebble was not there. I pick up Sky’s felt-tip pen and with a confident smile I scribble
Or was it? No, it couldn’t have been. Oh! Who are you? Where down two words on the thick black line. A dreamer. Yes, definitely!
are your gills? What are you? Ah, Food! You must be a goddess… Dreamer is in.
Nicky Venter – Grade 12 Faith Ndlovu – Grade 11

Strawberry- stained dreams 133The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Sky sweeps his black locks away from his eyes. The piercing blue
eyes smile at me. I can tell that he’s nervous.
“How about … astronaut?” he asks while his left hand, with a
mind of its own, scribbles the word across my form. I cringe.
An astronaut? I could never be that. Imagine, everyday up in
space, all by myself, eating processed food from sachets. Tinned
beef is bad enough - how am I supposed to deal with powdered
beef ? Astronaut is out!
Ms Bedford walks into the class and Sky’s cheeks become
strawberry-stained. I smile. I can see myself being a teacher
someday. As long as the young admirers come with the pay.
If I were to be a Mathematics teacher, I know that the statistics
for passing my class, would be less than ten percent. No, I could
never be a teacher. Teacher is out.
“Who actually read the Langston Hughes’ poem?” asks
Ms Bedford. Three, four, five hands go up, including my own.
I remember reading it last night with Steren, my pet lizard.
He was very focused throughout the whole reading and it amused

Viewpoint

Africa Remembers to lead it through life and sharpen its instinct. Flying metal and
insidious chemicals may kill or main it, but its children and their
I am gently pulled from sleep by the sounds of Africa. Birds children will remember, too. Unnatural death can weaken Africa’s
twitter and gossip in the branches above me, heralding the dawn. fires but the wild will fight back with the strength of an elephant,
Around me, insects chirp and sing in staccato harmony. The long sounding a fierce battle cry. Africa remembers, and sometimes its
grass ahead of me rustles in the gentle breeze, whispering secrets people must be reminded with awe-inspiring sights, so that we,
to the wind. It is silhouetted in black strands against the sky, which too, do not forget.
is stained pale pink and orange by the rising sun. The smell of Max le Roux – Grade 11
dew-wet grass and musty red earth fills my nostrils, and beneath
my hands the sand is warm. I sit up and stretch, uncomfortably Dark City
aware of a root pressing into the small of my back. The great
baobab offered what shelter it could against the sudden summer I was in Lagos, Nigeria, again, installing yet another CT scanner.
tempest that raged last night, but its cradling roots are knobbly OK, so the job wasn’t exactly glamorous but it put food on my
and twisted with age, and these have made me stiff and sore. melamine kitchen table and kept my gorgeous “poppie” from
I think of the camp cot in the dormitory back in the city. It complaining. (Man I love my wife and kids and miss them on
was soft and warm, and very lonely. I decide that sleeping at the these trips. I don’t know what I will do without them.)
foot of a tree is like sleeping at the foot of your grandmother’s To demonstrate that the machine is fully functioning I usually
bed: hard and uncomfortable but welcoming and safe, because a request a subject to scan and what better choice to actually use
benevolent soul is watching over your slumber. the scan to treat someone. We will be scanning a cancer patient
Standing, I drink some water from the flask at my hip to wash the the next day.
dust from my throat. My breakfast waits for me with my people. That evening when the sky ran out of coal and faded to shades
Hot pap with milk and maybe a squirt of golden honey or a block of pink and orange in the polluted air, evening prayers blared
of luxuriously melting butter. My stomach rumbles, driving me out on speakers and all around lights were popping on - glows
on in my journey for home. of yellows, whites, reds and blues all flashing invitingly. The sky
I begin to pick my way through the thick, waist-high grass until lost its sparkle even more, but these people weren’t going to let it
I find a narrow animal trail. I orientate myself using the rays get to them. They flicked a switch and wham! Yet another piece
of brilliant sun blowing over the horizon to touch the top of of night life shone, flashing neon, turning the dark city into a
the baobab tree behind me. My footsteps fall next to the tracks fairground, a perfect picture, a magical street market.
of buck and cat alike, landing in the stony sand that had been The next day when I walked past the oncology waiting room on
tread and cleared for generations before my birth. I pause to dig my way to the scanner, there was a bunched up mass of people,
my toes into the red dust, and smell its smell, and feel the soft all hot and unpleasant in the burning sun, coughing or holding a
warmth of it against my soles. How I have missed the wild! soiled rag to some oozing body part. In the crowded hallways I
I resume my trek, shaking off the grime of the city like a dirty coat spotted a few children laughing and running around. I noticed a
as I walk. I take the towering baobabs in place of skyscrapers, the mother and her small son. He was happily running about, his back
hooting of owls in place of the honking of cars, and the sound to me, but I could see he was smiling, laughing with conviction;
of wind through leaves in place of the never-ending city bustle. loving life as kids do. No worries about bills or getting a job. Not
I breathe the musky air, scented spicy with grass and herbs, and noticing the disease and suffering around him. Adding the same
rejoice in the flight of a bird of prey as it soars above me, regal sparkle to the waiting room that the lights did to the city, even
and powerful. when the hope of the day ran out.
I am so caught up in the surrounding majesty that I almost do not “Mr Johannes! I am glad I caught you, now you don’t have to
see the elephant. walk double.”
It stands around 30 metres away, its trunk lifted to tug at the I was confronted by Taofeeq and was stopped dead in my tracks.
branches of a succulent tree. It has not noticed me, as it is too “Kelly! Kelly! Come, Dr Johannes will see you now”, he yelled
caught up in its grazing. I do not doubt that if it perceives me, I towards the waiting room.
shall not ever have my breakfast! “Well, we have to warm the…” the sentence stuck in my throat.
The magnificence of the giant creature stops me short in my tracks. Like the surprise of hot water splashing into one's face and like
I stand, dumbfounded, and watch its slow, steady movements. It running full speed into a wall of ice, I was jarred into silence. The
is so very large and so obviously strong that the animal part of my little boy was the patient! As he turned around his bright blue
brain cowers and tells me to run, before it sees me and decides I shirt and white sneakers couldn’t distract me from his face. In
am a threat to its herd. I cannot run. Nature has struck me so front of me stood a smiling Cyclops. Never in my life… I tried
forcefully that I cannot even move. This majestic creature is so to pull myself together but realised instantly that I will never be
beautiful, so wise, and so old. It remembers, in a secret part of able to remove the image burned into my brain.
its mind, the mysteries of Africa; which trees are sweetest, which Kelly had retinoblastoma (cancer in the back of the eye). The
predators will run at the warning trumpet, and which paths lead local doctors had removed his left eye to try and curb the monster
to better grazing. These mysteries are ingrained in its vey being, warping it, leaving a dark, sunken, empty socket. But it was too
passed from generation to generation through the river of time late and the cancer had already spread. It grew down the optic

134 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

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Savannah Netherlands – Grade 12 Annie Oppler – Grade 11

nerve and split at the optical chasm, one branch pushing into his I must confess!
brain while the other pushing down on his right eye. His only
eye had popped out and was dangling on his cheek. His eye lids The story of how I ended up in community service on a Saturday
were grotesquely distorted. The scan confirmed that there was morning is a rather embarrassing and sad story. I chose to forget
nothing that could save his young life. about it, but how could I when the whole student body and staff
On the way to our hotel that night after another tedious day, I did members knew me by name!
not notice the sunset or the lights or even the people. I felt sad, It all started when my class and I were walking to the hall for
torn between something unreal and my sorrow for Kelly. I grew assembly. This was no normal assembly as the minister of
angry when Taofeeq told me that Kelly would be happy and cured Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, was joining us. I had
had he been born in my country. forgotten to switch my phone off because I was so excited about
“They could even have saved his left eye. Sure he’d have no sight our guest. In the hall, our headmistress greeted us and we took
but it would still be there and he would have looked normal.” our seats. She gave a really boring reading that did not even link
The sky darkened with billowing clouds and soon the first fat to school, education or behaviour. She then told us to bow our
drops rained down. Then darkness descended as the electricity heads for a silent prayer.
supply in the city was cut. The car’s headlights eerily lit up ‘WE DON’T NEED NO EDUCATION’ … HEY, TEACHERS,
scurrying vendors with flickering cell phone screens paving their LEAVE US KIDS ALONE!’
way. Lagos was a Dark City. Those were the lyrics to the song I set as my ringtone. At that
My time was up. As I boarded the plane back home I was very moment I realised my life was over. It was my phone that was
racking my brain as to what could be done for Kelly. But what ringing! I slowly sneaked my hand in my top left blazer pocket and
can you do for a Cyclops, one that does not even know life yet? switched it off, pretending that nothing had happened. I spent the
One that can only see half of life and must move his head at rest of assembly embarrassed and restless.
odd angles to see more than just the floor with his one small When our Head Girl, Karabo Mokoena, dismissed us, I knew
innocent brown eye. I didn’t notice the hustle and bustle and I had to do the right thing. Instead of going back to class, I went to
yelling merchant; all boring, compared to my friend Kelly. I Mrs McNair’s office. My hands were shaking, my heart was pounding
did not mind the cramped, smelly overbooked conditions on but, most of all, I was not even sure I could speak at that moment.
board nor the waiting in queues and mindless hassling. All I My encounter with Mrs McNair was one never to be forgotten.
could think of was Kelly. His sight was fading fast and his When I got back to class, everyone was laughing. I just had to
life was becoming dark. This is where his and this story ends. laugh and hide my true feelings. Throughout the day, my ring
Back in South Africa, Kelly’s mom phoned me frantically one tone went viral and everyone asked for it. The worst part of my
day begging me to help. I told her that if she could get enough day was when I was in English class with Miss Dee. She handed
money to bring Kelly here I would arrange help but I knew it was out worksheets but skipped me. When I asked for my worksheet
all in vain. she loudly said, “I thought you didn’t want an education!” If I
Kelly, by now, is dead. The tumor invading his brain had killed were light skinned, people would have probably compared my
him. But before it did, it took his sight, slowly and maliciously face to a really large cherry! I knew I had done the right thing
causing pain and disaster. My dear friend Kelly died with his by confessing. The next time my phone rings in assembly, it will
mother and little friends in his very own Dark City. definitely be the school song.
Cheree Janse van Rensburg – Grade 11 Camerodene Buys – Grade 10

135The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

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Thandi Beauchamp – Grade 11 Bontle Goabepe – Grade 11

Acts of Jealousy their own happiness. May it be that if they are the cause for
someone else to be upset or unhappy, then so be it. Evidently, it
Sitting on the swing-set at the bottom of the garden, Tammy does not really ever seem to bother the minds of young children.
watches the ball being passed up and down the big patch of And so, as the boys pass the ball around very unenthusiastically,
grass. As Luke, her older brother passes the ball her way, she Tammy looks to be having the time of her life. All because
quickly stops the ball and asks if she can join them too. Her she eventually manages to get her own way, which for her, is
brother and his friend, Mark, burst out laughing. They think satisfaction.
this is very amusing that a little girl wants to join them in playing Kayla Marquardt – Grade 10
soccer. There is only a look of confusion on her face; she does
not understand. Come, Said the Wind to the Trees one Day
Luke looks at her simply and tells her to go and play with her
dolls. This obviously upsets her, judging by the look of disgust Standing in the dark hallway with one finger touching the
on her face. She also wants to play soccer. She looks up to the doorknob, he debated the idea of stepping outside to meet the
boys and begs them to just let her play too, but they ignore her new season. He knew that he should stay inside in the warmth
and walk off to the other end of the garden. Tammy turns red in and comfort of his study, while the crackling fire sang him to
the face, as she is now furious. She stamps her feet and screams sleep but his curiosity and the need to remember proved to be
for her mother. stronger than his willpower.
A few minutes later, her mother comes rushing through the He placed his whole hand over the doorknob and turned it,
sliding door, and Tammy runs up to her, bursting into tears. The stepping outside to be met by a gust of wind, cold on his pale
boys just stand there and quietly giggle between themselves. The skin. It pulled him into its world, a world where leaves were
mother listens to the little girl whining, as six-year-old girls do. free to dance all day until they tired themselves, then painted the
Eventually, her mother looks at the two boys and tells them that ground in fiery shades of red, orange and brown. A world where
they have to let Tammy join in too, otherwise she will take their the trees gently swayed to the rhythm of the wind’s voice, and
soccer ball away, so that they cannot play either. The boys are where there was no sky - just a peaceful blue-grey hue taking the
now the ones who are furious. The mother leaves to return to the place of the nothingness.
peacefulness of the house and Tammy proceeds to stick out her The wind pulled him further down her golden road, tousling
tongue at the two boys, while her mother is not looking. his dark hair and darting between his long fingers. The wind
Luke and Mark are now very upset, as Tammy has successfully took him to a meadow - a meadow barely recognisable beneath
ruined their fun. They look at each other, irritated, while Tammy the fallen dancers of red and gold. The wind wrapped herself
runs to go and fetch the ball. What probably makes the boys around his pale, bare shoulders and whispered memories into
most upset is the fact that Tammy doesn’t even know how to play his ear. She whispered a memory of many seasons past, one so
soccer. She is too small even to kick the ball to the other end of vivid that he could almost feel the warm grass between his bare
the garden. She just wants to make sure that she isn’t left out of toes, the sun beating down on his back. He could almost hear
anything. the choir of birds and the humming of bees. He could almost
The problem with younger children is that they do not really ever see the sunlight dancing across the clear, cobalt blue of the
think about their actions. They are also not very considerate as to pond. He could taste the sweet nectar of the dragon-snapper
how other people may feel about something. This leads to children flowers. The blue sky was as endless as summer itself seemed.
being selfish and only worrying about how they can accomplish

136 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

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Then he was suddenly pulled back into the harsh world of reality Amber Eksteen – Grade 11
where summer was gone and the wind no longer comforted him.
The leaves no longer danced, but were tossed violently by the wind was wondering if I could come over today,” asked Jane’s friend,
until they could take no more and fell to their deathbed. The sky Erica.
seemed darker and emptier and the trees were naked, stripped of “Of course! See you in a bit.” Jane was so excited to see her
all colour. The wind screeched through the bare trees and bit his friend.
fingers and toes. The world that he had been in that day disappeared Erica arrived only minutes after she called and straight away
and only a haunting shadow of what it had been was left behind. asked, “So Jane, what will we do today?” They looked through
“Come,” said the Wind to the Leaves one day. the whole house but couldn’t find anything interesting to do.
“Come over the meadow and we will play. Just when they wanted to give up hope, Erica found an old book
Put on your dresses of red and gold. which looked much like a diary in the bottom drawer of the study
For summer is gone and the days grow cold.” table. “Look Jane! I found a diary!” Jane took the diary and
Megan Wilding – Grade 9 paged through it quickly. As she came to the last entry she began
to read …
The trees'’ warning ‘Dear Diary,
Today is the day I am telling you that I am going to propose to
Mark was certain he appeared to anyone as a typical twelve year Jessica – I just don’t know how, yet …. Maybe I will take her to
old South African boy with his number-one style blonde cropped dinner? No, that’s too predictable. Maybe I will give her balloons,
hair, glacier blue eyes, high cheekbones and average slim body, but and then, while she is admiring them I will go onto my knees?
he was just as certain that he was nowhere near typical. He saw Yes, I think I shall do that. I will write again tonight!’
what nobody else could. Mark saw the beauty in everything, even “Wow!” Erica said, “This is so romantic!”
in a scene as average as the one he was in now: Meadley Park in “I think we should throw the book away, I wouldn’t want anyone
late April. to read my personal thoughts!” Jane said while she was shaking
Mark could see how beautiful the dead yellow grass looked against her head.
the clear blue sky. The trees, with multiple shades of green, red, She was walking to the bin when Erica saw the number and
yellow and orange stood out like a rainbow missing a few hues. address of this Jessica character.
At the edge of the park, near the shore of a shallow man-made “Wait! Look, there is a number and address. We should go to the
pond, geese huddled for warmth with their heads tucked under address and see if Jessica still lives there!” Erica shouted. Jane
their wings. knew it was a long shot but she agreed to go.
The trees swayed gently in motion as a strong gust of icy wind When they arrived at the door of the house on old woman came
rustled through their branches, coaxing a few leaves to come out and greeted them.
along for the ride. A flock of birds in ‘v’ formation caught that “How can I help?” she asked in a friendly voice.
same gust of wind, tweeting in laughter at the almost naked trees Jane showed her the diary and asked if she knew to whom it
as they headed south.
Not only did the wind steal leaves off the trees and carry the birds 137The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013
south but it also tempted a few humans wandering nearby to put
on their coats. Mark thought it funny that the trees lose their
coats and the humans put theirs on!
Jaws of a rake bit into and tore a pile of unlucky leaves who didn’t
accept the wind’s offer and had not blown away. The rake’s teeth
at the end of its stick’s thin body dragged all the leaves in a heap
and then rested itself next to a tree, waiting for more leaves to fall.
The wind soon took the opportunity to thrash the rake’s efforts
by lifting the leaves and scattering them randomly beneath the
tree. Mark laughed as the rake repeated its efforts.
Mark contemplated why the trees would leave themselves
vulnerable before such a cold harsh season to come, but he
soon realised why. As a traffic light goes orange before red as
a warning, the trees go red, orange and yellow to warn us of the
arrival of winter.
Meja Schoeman – Grade 9


The last diary entry

Jane had just moved into a new house and they were still unpacking
everything when her phone vibrated in her pocket. “Hi Jane, I

Viewpoint

Shani Smit – Grade 12 Chelsea Klokow – Grade 12

belonged. “Yes of course, it was my boyfriend’s diary before he something would happen, so I decided to prevent it. I heard you
died. He would write in it constantly.” were trying to sleep with the pieces under your pillow. Was it
“How did he die?” Jane asked, shocked. comfortable?” she laughed.
“He died about fifty years ago while running towards me across a “Oh! Mom,” I said, relieved. “I was so worried about how mad
road, carrying a lot of balloons, when a car hit him. He died on you would be.”
the spot.” Jane and Erica knew she had to read the last entry of “I wouldn’t stop worrying if I were you. This is not the end of
the diary and told her to do so. it.” And sadly it wasn’t. My beloved, damage-causing phone was
They gave her the diary and told her she must read it on the sofa taken away for two weeks, but I was fine with that. It gave the
while drinking a nice cup of tea. Then they walked back home tennis ball on my head time to heal, and the marks on my butt
feeling really good after an amazing adventure! time to heal.
Danielle Grant – Grade 8 Misha de Beer – Grade 8

Beautiful Tragedy

Bang! I had walked straight into the cupboard. “Ouch!” I Kika Paris – Grade 12
yelled. Then the unthinkable happened. My mother’s favourite
ornament, a beautiful porcelain plate came flying down. Smash!
My heart felt as though it had skipped a beat. My throat was as
dry as the Sahara, and my hands felt like ice. It was as if someone
had stolen my breath, and not in a good way.
My head was spinning. How was I going to explain this?
Everybody, even Percy, the cat, knew how special this ornament
was to my mother, and she’s not a very sentimental person. I
slowly started picking up the pieces which felt like a million of
them. I put the beautiful tragedy in a bag and went to hide it
under my pillow. I was not one of my best plans.
Everything around me reminded me of my little accident. My
little brother’s laugh scared me like that hyena in the zoo. The fan
sounded like knives, missing me by millimetres. The guilt was
killing me softly. Then I had to confess.
“Mom, I have something I need to tell you!” I started to mumble at
the dinner table. “I broke your favourite ornament! I’m so sorry.”
“You did what? When?” she asked rather calmly.
“Yesterday. I was afraid of telling you.” I cried.
“Oh darling, I would watch you on your phone, day after day, just
missing the cupboard. So I exchanged my favourite ornament
with an old standard piece of junk. I knew that someday

138 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

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Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know? Waste-bin full of

paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These wordAs farre imykoawan. nFrosm my heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying t

write a classic. Don't you know, don't you know, doSnt't eylouwkenrokw? Waste-bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later

These words are my own. From my heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know, don

you know, don't you know? Waste-bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These words are my own. From my

heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know? Waste

bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These words are my own. From my heart flown. Trying to find the magic

Die Afrikaans- Departement is baie trots op al die Afrikaans-Ekspo deelnemers.
In 2013 het 13 deelnemers vanaf graad 10 - graad 12 aan verskeie kategorieë deelgeneem. Uit hierdie getal deelnemers het nege
deurgedring tot op Nasionale vlak.
Dis met genoegdoening dat ons aankondig dat twee leerders Nasionale wenners is en dat Girls High vir die derde agtereenvolgende
jaar as Wenskool in die Eerste Addisionele – Groot Skole – kategorie aangewys is.
Baie geluk aan:
Anastasia Papavarnavas: Senior Redenaars
Mia van der Westhuizen: Senior Skryfkuns – Opstel

Die Skoenlapper glimlag en die deuntjie van ‘n Franse orkes, stel die Skoenlapper
haarself voor as dr. Rouge...
Die trein kruip stadig by die stasie in. Dit herinner hom aan ‘n Vir die eerste keer in sy lewe besef Adriaan dat daar dalk iets
yslike duisendpoot – die staalwiele altyd aan die beweeg! Met belangriker in die lewe as sy geliefde goggas is!
wit stoom wat uit die skoorsteen kom, lyk dit amper asof die Milanda Louw
duisendpoot uitasem is na die lang rit.
Adriaan klou styf vas aan die glashouer in sy hande. In hierdie houer Digvlinder
is ‘n kosbare skat wat meer waardevol is as enige edelgesteente:
‘n skoenlapper! Die spesie is skaars, byna uitgesterf! Dit is veral skryf ‘n gedig
besonder omdat nuwe mediese navorsing bewys het dat die kuur skryf ‘n gedig sonder diep simboliek
vir kanker dalk in die vlerke van hierdie vlinder opgesluit lê... of ‘n rympatroon
Sy werk as wêreldberoemde entomoloog was om hierdie vlinder
op te spoor en hy is juis op pad Londen toe om ‘n kollega te vergeet van leestekens
ontmoet. Die ene dr. Rouye, ‘n Franse insek-spesialis wie se en hoofletters
kundigheid konkurreer met syne. Hy maak staat op haar om te vergeet van hierdie web wat om die vlinder gespin word
bevestig dat die spesie in die houer die ware Jakob is. en die lewe uit hom wurg
Adriaan sit in die koffiewinkel buite die treinstasie en kyk vir die los die diep-donker betekenis vir anderdag se dink
hoveelste keer na sy horlosie. Hy het al drie koppies koffie gehad
en sy geduld is op – sy kollega is ‘n halfuur laat! skryf ‘n kaalvoet gedig
Hy maak net reg om te loop, toe die klokkie by die deur tingel en
hy opkyk in die oë van die Skoenlapper... maar moenie vergeet om
Om in haar smarraggroen oë te kyk, is soos om jouself onverwags te die kinderlag
verplaas na die hart van ‘n ongerepte reënwoud. Die enigste woord die lewensgenot
wat haar kan beskryf, is “eksoties”. Hy bewonder haar hare wat die onskuld
bestaan uit ‘n reënboog van skakerings van rooi: die kleure van ‘n neer te pen nie
ou koperketel, verterende vuur, boergonje wyn en ryp somerkersies
– almal inmekaar geweef. Haar vel is soos porselein wat versier is skryf die gedig versigtig neer
met sproete! Hy kyk vinnig af na die glashouer in sy hande. Hy en bêre hom op ‘n veilige plek
moes net seker maak dat die skoenlapper nie ontsnap het nie omdat haal die kosbare juweel uit
dit kompleet voel asof die insek in sy maag rondfladder. wanneer onweer tref
Hy kyk weer op en voel hoe sy hart in sy keel spring. Hy sit
versteen op sy stoel – ewe skielik ‘n soutpilaar. Sy is besig om en laat die digvlinder
reguit na hom toe te loop, alhoewel die woord “loop” onvanpas vlieg
is! Sy sweef soos ‘n vlinder tot voor hom en met ‘n skitterwit Louise van Tonder – Graad 12

139The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

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Tiisetso Mofokeng – Grade 10 Carla Wescott – Grade 11

Geel trui vir n wenner van mekaar geskei word – al’s in ‘n stowwerige metaaldop
toegevou… nie almal se idee van ‘n lekker tyd nie. Wanneer
Die son bak skroeiend op die kronkelende slang fietryers wat teen ek terugdink aan hierdie spesifieke skooltoer Grahamstad toe,
die heuwel opsukkel. Die hitte slaan van die warm teer af teen sy vervaag die belangrikheid van al die ander aktiwiteite egter teen
gesig op en sweet pêrel op sy voorkop en loop met klein straaltjies die mooi herinneringe wat ek van die busrit soontoe en terug het.
teen sy wange af. Dit is nie eers vir hom nodig om om te kyk nie, Moet my nie verkeerd verstaan nie, die feestelikhede wat ons in
want hy weet dat hy heel agter is. Grahamstad geniet het, was ‘n ervaring wat mens net een keer in
Moedeloosheid sak soos ‘n swaar kombers oor hom. Met elke trap ‘n leeftyd sal hê, maar daar is iets baie spesiaals daaraan om die
wat hy gee, word hy meer bewus van sy spiere wat kramp. Hy kyk son te sien opkom en ondergaan deur toegemiste vensters wat
op en besef dat daar geen waterpunt in sig is nie! Wat het hom weggesteek is agter die skadubeelde van jou mede-reisigers.
besiel om hierdie resies aan te pak? Almal het hom herhaaldelik Hulle sê dat die tyd vlieg wanneer ‘n mens jouself geniet en ek
gewaarsku dat hy nog nie gereed is vir hierdie uitmergelende stem heeltemal daarmee saam. Te midde van ‘n aansteeklike lag,
kompetisie nie. Dalk moes hy maar toegegee het, en ook die harde sang, opgewekte speletjies, vrolike gebabbel en heerlike
naald vooraf in sy aar gedruk het soos baie van sy spanmaats. happies, was die reis verby voordat dit nog eers begin het.
Terwyl hy so peins, roep hy die hulp van sy Skepper desperaat Wanneer ek aan die hele ervaring terugdink, is dit in ‘n waas van
aan. “Here, U het hierdie talent aan my gegee. Help my herinneringe en gelag wat ek vir altyd in my hart sal koester. Dit
asseblief om deur te druk en klaar te maak.” Meteens voel hy was donker toe ons na ‘n week se pret by die huis aangekom
‘n teenwoordigheid en word dit makliker om te trap. Agter hom het en ek onthou dat ek van daardie groot metaalboks op wiele
hoor hy Gift se bekende stem wat hom bemoedig. ‘n Nuwe hoop afgeklim het met ‘n nuutgevonde liefde vir busse en vir die mense
vlam in hom op en hy kry skielik die krag waarvoor hy gepleit het. wat in hulle reis.
Uit die hoek van sy oog sien hy hoe hy ryer na ryer verbygaan. Kaylee Benkenstein – Graad 12
Die aanmoediging van die skare gee hom nog meer energie en
die laaste kilometer word met vasberadenheid klaargemaak. Sy In My Sak
borskas tref die lint en hy steek sy hande juigend in die lug op. Sy
gedagtes gaan terug na sy kleintyd. Hy dink aan sy beste vriend In my sak is daar baie dinge. My ma kla gereeld daaroor. Sy verstaan
wat tragies in die plaasdam verdrink het. Hy trek die geel trui oor nie hoekom ek so baie gemors met my saamdra nie. Die dinge in
sy kop en sê skaars hoorbaar: “Dankie, Heer, vir Gift.” my sak is tog so nutteloos, maar hulle is vir my baie belangrik.
Mia van Schalkwyk – Graad 12
Vandat ek kan onthou, versamel ek klein brokkies weggooigoed
Herinneringe vanuit 'n Metaalboks wat ander as onbelangrik beskou. Wanneer ek my hand in my sak
steek , voel ek die sagte dons van ‘n veertjie, ‘n brose eierdop,
Wanneer die meeste mense aan ‘n skooltoer dink, is die deel die gladheid van ‘n ronde klippie, die koue, blou albaster en drie
waarna hulle die minste uitsien, die skynbaar eindelose busrit na stukkies tou. Hierdie is net ‘n paar voorbeelde van wat ek al alles
die eindpunt, en dan ook weer die rit huis toe wat net so lank is… in my broeksak saamdra.
En hoekom moet hulle daarna uitsien? Busse is nou nie eintlik Soms, wanneer ek alleen is, haal ek alles een vir een uit my sak
sinoniem met opwinding nie. Rye en rye vervelige, goed gebruikte uit en begin lugkastele bou. Partykeer word ‘n blaar ‘n seilbootjie
sitplekke, wat deur ‘n skrikwekkende lang gangetjie in die middel en die toutjies kry skielik lewe as matrose. My matrosies seil dan

140 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

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deur die stormagtige lug. Die wind ruk deur hulle hare en laat dit Erica Geldenhuys – Grade 10
penorent staan. Die reuk van seewater hang in die lug en in die
verte skreeu ‘n meeu. “Oe, ek is reguit op pad na die spesiale slaghuis in Skaap –
Skiereiland”...
‘n Ander keer word die vaalgrys duifveer ‘n voël en die “Lieflike dag vandag .... toedeldoe” ... trippel sy weg op haar ses
porseleinagtige eierdop word haar nes. Die voëltjie fladder van sentimeter hoë Stiletto’s!
bos tot bos om saadjies en bessie te versamel. Sy is haastig, want Intussen, by ouma se huis, is die twee stoute kabouters besig om
sy kan haar kleintjies hoor kla vanuit hul eierdopnes. Sy voer die die plek in ‘n paleis te verander met allerhande tegniese toestelle.
soet bessies vir haar kinders en gaan sit styf teen hulle om hulle Ouma bak haar gunsteling lekkerny – sjerrie kolwyntjies. Ouma
snoesig warm te hou. vat nou en dan ‘n goeie knertsie!

Die ronde klippie is ‘n skilpadjie wat stadig deur die oerwoud Daar’s ‘n klop aan die deur. Ouma gil deur die huis..... “Kom in,
loop. Die aardse reuk van klam blare en takke kielie sy neus en inbreker!” Wolf storm in.
‘n sagte misreën maak fyn patroontjies op sy dop. Touslange seil “Inbreker!?! Ek dog ek het al alles gehoor. Van al die belaglike
tussen die takke deur en laat die skilpad skrik. Hy trek vinnig sy dinge wat ek al gehoor het, vat hierdié die koek!” “My genade,
kop en pote in sy dop in en word weer ‘n ronde klippie. Wolf, van wanneer af het jy ‘n stel geel valstande?”
Wolf gryp die geleentheid aan en voor Ouma besef wat aangaan,
My toufeëtjies, opgetooi in roosblaarrokkies, kruip graag weg in die verorber Wolf al tagtig kolwyntjies wat klaar gebak is. Nie lank
onkruid met die fyn geel blommetjies. Hulle speel graag bal met nie of hy gooi die bak deur die venster en drink die laaste sjerrie
die blou albaster wat ek vir hulle opgetel het. As hulle dit in die uit die bottel. “Gekersde Seënfees!” stotter hy, gryp ouma in sy
lug opgooi, vang die albaster die son se strale vas en maak mooi deurmekaar toestand en sluk haar heel in! En hier kom die gaste!
kunswerkies op die gras. As jy langs my ma se blombak gaan sit en
mooi luister , sal jy dalk hulle ligte laggies uit die onkruid hoor klink. Ouma is weg en Wolf lê op die kombuisvloer sy roes en afslaap.
Die twee karnallies, Phineas en Ferb vermaak die gaste met hulle
As ek klaar gedroom het, word die matrose en feëtjies weer nuwe ontwerpe. Almal is vrolik en die braai is ‘n jol. Angola
toutjies, die voëltjie word ‘n veer en die skilpadjie ‘n klippie. Dan Badprop is self nie meer so vars nie en slaan "kaplaks" regoor
pak ek hulle almal saam met die eierdop, blaartjie en albaster weer die snorkende Wolf neer. Die geweldige hou wat Wolf reg in die
terug in my sak. ribbes getref het, laat hom wind breek en sowaar ..... daar spring ‘n
glibberige, wit geskrikte Ouma uit! Sy lyk absoluut bedremmeld,
My ma is verkeerd wanneer sy sê my sak is vol gemors. Al niemand kan hulle oë glo nie! Hoe kom sy dan nou uit sy groot
die weggooigoed is kosbaar in my oë. In my sak dra ek nie bek uit? Wolf lê nog steeds flou op die vloer sonder om te roer.
weggooigoed nie. In my sak dra ek my eie wêreld saam met my.
Louise Van Tonder – Graad 12 “Wat nou”, sê Ouma “laat die vrolikheid begin!” Sy gryp die
naaste besem en dan dans sy gly-gly die gang af. Die kabouters
Modieuse Rooikappie en die bose Wolf
141The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013
Die houtkapper geniet die heerlike dae in Harties, die dorpie
waar hy woon, omring deur pragtige woude. Elke middag lê hy
agteroor op die gras en rus na ‘n dag se klipharde gekap van vroeg
tot laat. Die inwoners het ‘n hoë agting vir hom en noem hom
skoon hulle geliefde, Angola Badprop. Al die belangrike take in
die gemeenskap word aan hom oorgelaat – so gesê so gedaan
lê ‘n berg netjies gekapte hout vir dié spesifieke aand se braai!
Onder die gaste tel Rooikappie in haar nousluitende denim vol
muisneste en ook die bose Wolf. Haar geliefde ouma, Wolf en
die twee stoute kabouters, Phineas en Ferb staan en klets dat die
biesies bewe oor vanaand se braai.

Ouma is baie modern en in voeling met al die nuwe tegnologie
– sy het al gister met Rooikappie deur middel van Skype op haar
nuwe iPad gereël dat sy vandag wyn, vingerhappies en kerse moet
saambring wat sy sommer by Shoprite Checkers in die hande sal kry.
Diep in gedagte is Rooikappie toe op pad en let glad nie op waar
sy loop en wie van voor af kom nie. Kaplaks, stap sy vas teen haar
geliefde, Wolf! Sy weet hy gaan ook die braai bywoon en wonder
hardop ... “Wanneer kry jy die vleis vir vanmiddag se braai?”

Viewpoint

Stepahnie Fichardt – Grade 12 Cami van de Berg – Grade 8

braai en Rooikappie lawe vir Wolf! Wolf gil hard: “Vars vanaf Ek kan en wil dit nie glo nie
die plaas, op sy beste!” Wolf kyk na Ouma, “Hierdie tjoppie sal maar dan sien ek die kis in die gang afkom
lekker afgaan met ‘n glasie waardering! Hy blink nie, hy stink nie, en dit druk die stempel af op die nare werklikheid.
hoekom sal ons hom nie drink nie!” Alles sink nou in.
“Op ‘n manier mag ons verloor, maar ons wen weer op ‘n ander My oogsluise wil oopbars.
manier! Goeie vriende staan bymekaar al is daar probleme,” lag Die gebedsang van die orrelpype
Ouma! Die aand is nog jonk, hier gaan dit nog lekker word!” laat die knop in my keel swel.

Mia Köpplinger, Heike Thormählen, Daniella Nieuwenhuis, Chané Nel Toe die tyd kom om jou tot rus te lê
– Graad 8 en almal sê hul laaste “sien jou eendag weer”,
laat hulle jou kis in die grond sak
My Beste Pel Nou My Engel en ek voel hoe my knieë saam sak.
Bo-op jou kis, is die John Dere trekker wat jy nog eendag
Die lang pad het kort gevoel wou koop,
met ure wat nou leeg lê. nou net ‘n helder groen en geel yster trekkermodelletjie
jou pa se gesig lyk oud en jou kitaar nou doodstil en sonder melodie.
en jou ma, sus en klein Frankie
nou die sterk rotse, Dit is asof die grond jou en alles van jou,
die fondament waarop die ou huise moet staan. vraatsig insuig en wil insluk.

Stadig loop ek langs die rye kerkbanke Die klik-klak van jou kis wat die grond raak,
en in my gedagtegang, ja my diepste menswees, laat my opkyk,
hoor ek ‘n eggo van jou lag, in die gang af. en die sonskyn
Dit kom egter van jou laaste kiekies in die gang. en ‘n ligte windjie waai oor die Laeveld
Jy, die blou-oog-sproet-gesig, -net waar jy sou wou wees.
met daardie breë glimlag
wat altyd jou kiestande gewys het, Toe jou ma haar laaste roosblare in die donker gat gooi,
is nou net ‘n geraamde herinnering. val dit soos rotse, kliphard op jou kitaar.
Jou oë volg my tot waar ek op die houtbank gaan sit My gedagtegang bons rond,
en dit voel asof my swaar hart my beste pel is nou my Engel.
dwarsdeur die houtbank wil wegsak. As die windjie waai
Dit voel asof jy nog hier langs my sit. sal ek hom hoor sing en sy kitaar speel.
Ek voel vir oulaas
Met elke lui van die kerkklok hoe jy my met n sonstraal op my wang soen.
voel dit asof spykers in my hande en voete ingeslaan word.
Die papiertjie wat by die swaar houtdeure uitgedeel is, Ek mis jou al klaar, jou pêrel-oranje hare
brand soos ‘n kool vuur in my hande. en jou positiewe woorde.

142 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

Viewpoint

“Moenie worry nie,tjomma, God het ‘n plan vir almal Rebecca Harle – Grade 12
-‘n goeie plan”
Die lang pad wat ons tot nou toe gestap het, In Engeland het die Universiteit van Bristol in 2007 ‘n studie
voel so kort, gedoen oor hoe ons soms vriende kies. Die studie het gewys dat
die ure lê leeg. tieners verkies om vriende te hê wat soortgelyk aan hulself is.
Is daar nie dalk nog een horlosietik vir ons oor nie? Hulle beinvloed ons standpunte en morele waardes.
Verdere navorsing deur dokter Cameron Marlow het in 2009
Tjomma, ek is so lief vir jou uitgewys dat Facebook -verbruikers met honderde aanlynvriende,
en ek gaan jou so oneindiglik baie mis. net ‘n handjievol vriende in die werklikheid het. Mense wat
behep is met hul status en aanhoudend op Facebook is, is eintlik
Ek kan nie wag om jou weer te sien nie, in werklikheid misrabel as gevolg van hul gebrek aan sosiale
miskien dalk in ‘n droom, vaardighede. Die Economist het ook ‘n artikel gepubliseer waarin
of dan eendag, staan dat indien ‘n man 120 aanlynvriende het, hy eintlik net vier
in die Hemel. van hulle kan vertrou.
Savanna Gair – Graad 11 Boesemvriende staan bymekaar selfs in die onaangenaamste tye.
Om ‘n vriend te hê met wie jy ‘n koffie kan geniet, het baie
Voorsitter gesondheidsvoordele. Medici by Mayo Clinic Health het
ontdek dat pasiënte wat sterk vriendskappe het, se stresvlakke
Vriendskap is soos die geur van ‘n lekker koppie boeretroos om laer is en hul kanse op ‘n hartaanval is minder. Hulle het ook
vertroue, liefde, aanvaarding en goeie herinneringe alles in een gevind dat pasiënte met vriende traumatiese ervarings soos die
sluk te drink. dood beter hanteer. Egte vriendskappe inspireer pasiënte om
‘n Ware vriend is soos ‘n liefdevolle ma wat altyd daar is vir leefstylgewoontes soos dwelms te vermy.
jou. Hulle gee om vir jou en staan by jou deur dik en dun en In Amerika het die Times tydskrif in Maart 2013 vriendskappe in
ondersteun jou doelwitte. Hullle weet wat om te sê en te doen die werksplek aangemoedig. Mense met vriende by die werkplek
wanneer daar fout is. Met vriende kan jy pret hê – self in die is gelukkiger, produktiewer en het meer werksbevrediging. En
verveligste tye. ‘n Ware vriend is lojaal en sal jou vinnig op jou soos almal weet, gelukkiger base.
plek sit wanneer jy verkeerd is, selfs wanneer dit beteken om ‘n So, dames en here, ek wil vriende hê wat ek kan vertrou, pret hê
bietjie sin in jou kop te klop. en my gevoelens in ag sal neem. Onthou, om ‘n vriend te maak,
Soos Oprah eens gesê het: ‘Baie mense wil saam met jou in die neem ‘n oomblik, maar om ‘n vriend te wees, neem ‘n leeftyd.
limosine ry, maar jy wil iemand hê wat die bus saam met jou sal Anastasya Papavarnavas
neem wanneer die limosine onklaar raak’.
Verlede jaar het ek en my vriendin uit die huis geglip om na ‘n 143The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013
partytjie toe te gaan. Ons het die verskoning gebruik dat ons
‘n projek het om saam te doen. My vriendin het haar kêrel
ontmoet en my net daar gelos. Toe ek my pa bel ,was hy kwaad –
smoorkwaad. Ek was ‘n maand gehok oor die kattekwaad wat ek
en my vriendin aangejaag het. Ek het een ding geleer: moet nooit
hoë hakke na ‘n partytjie toe dra nie, veral as dit jou eerste keer is.
Ek was gehok met dooie voete.
In die boek, Vital Friends, deur die skrywer, Gallup Tom
Rath, staan daar dat een van die hoofredes waarom mense
skei, huisloos is of hulle self ooreet, is as gevolg van ‘n leë
of onvervulde vriendskap wat mense verstote en uitgeworpe
laat voel.
Die skrywer, dokter Harriet Lerner, het in 2005 uitgevind dat
gevoelens van jaloesie en vyandigheid in hegte vriendskappe kan
ontstaan. Sommige vriende kan jou misbruik en manipuleer vir
hulle eie gewin. In sulke vriendskappe het ‘n mens twee opsies.
Jy kan die vriendskap beeïndig of toelaat dat jy misbruik word.
‘n Aanlynvriend is ook soos ‘n mooiweersvriend. Julle ken mekaar
nie eintlik nie. Ja, hulle kan jou status en gewildheid verbeter, maar
ongelukkig is hulle net beskikbaar wanneer daar ‘n groen dotjie of
‘n regmerkie langs hulle naam is. Egte vriende is nie beperk tot ‘n
rekenaarskerm en gevoelgesiggies nie, maar kan werklike emosie
ervaar en mekaar se geselskap geniet. Werklike menslike kontak
is onvervangbaar.

Viewpoint
Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know? Waste-bin full of

paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These words arSe emypoewdn.iFrom my heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying to

write a classic. Don't you know, don't you knoCwr, edaont'tiyvouekWnrowi?tWinagste-bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later.

These words are my own. From my heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know,
don't you know, don't you know? Waste-bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These words are my own. From
my heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know?
Waste-bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These words are my own. From my heart flown. Trying to find the

magic.

Ge nka fiwa sebaka feleletša ke ntšhitše mekgwa yaka ka moka.
Ke be ke fetola mma o kare ke thaka yaka goba ke selo fela, ge be a
Na o kile wa nagana gore ge go ka diragala gore o ikele boyabatho, re tee ke be ke fetola ka la gore lekgolo, ee ke be ke telela ke lebetše
gona bjale, go ka bolelwa eng ka wena? Bontši bja rena, re phela o bohlokwa bja motswadi bophelong. Mamohla Mma o ragile lepai,
ka re re ile go phela bophelo bjo bo sa felego lefaseng, re phela ka gomme ke fetogile tšhiwana, ga kena le motho yo a ntlhokomelago, mo
boiketlo gomme le go nagana ka se re se dirago letšatši ka letšatši gongwe ge nkabe ke mo file tlhompho Modimo be a tla mphedišetša
ga re se iše hlogong. yena, eupša nkabe yona ke ngwana wa morago, seo se diragetšego se
Lehono mopresidente wa pele, mohlomphegi Nelson Mandela o ka se phumoge. Mamohla bagwera baka ba mphetogetše, ge ke re ke a
robetše bolaong bja kaa bookelong, o lwela bophelo bja gagwe. ba bolediša ba nkgogela difahlego, ke tla reng?
Lefase ka bophara le keteka bophelo bja gagwe le ditiro tša gagwe Nama kgapeletšwa e phuma pitša, ge e le lehono gona ba mmeletše
gomme ke se se dirago gore ke nagane ka se nna ke se dirago meno a ka godimo. Ke moipolai yo a sa llelwego, yo sello sa gagwe
bophelong bja ka. e lego moropa ka gore ke kgethile bagwera go na le mma yo a
Nna nka dira eng go thuša batho? Nka dira eng gore leina go ntswetšego. Ruri mahlale a ja mong!
bolelwe la ka mo lefaseng? Dilo ga di itiri. Leina le ka se itiri, ka Kgothatso Magoro – Grade 12
fao ke bona gore ke swanetše go ema ka maoto a ka a mabedi,
ke dire phaphano moo nka kganago. Nagana fela ka lehu la gago Madi ao a se nago molato
go bolelwa ka bophelo bja gago, batho ba felelwa ke seo ba ka
se bolelago –nna nka swaba go bonwa bjalo ka motho yo a sa O mo hlanogetše pele a ka ba le ka peu.
thušago batho. Wa iphetoša legwaragwara wena tatago ngwana.
Ge nka fiwa sebaka, nka thoma ka go thuša bana kua magaeng. Wa bolaiša mmagwe dingwatha merathana.
Go thuša, o swanetše go thoma gona mo gae gomme ge o bona Ka ponyo la leihlo wa itlhapa diatla
o setše o kgathile tema, ya ba gona o naganang go ya pele. Ge Morago gona wa se lebelele
nka fiwa sebaka, nka rata go bona ke file bana ka moka ba Afrika Wa nanoga ka lebelo, wa dumela tša bošilo di go rone.
Borwa mpho ya tsebo ya mmino. Ba re mmino ke senotlelo sa go Wa mo hlokiša tlhokomelo ya botswadi.
bula tlhaloganyo ya yo mongwe le yo mongwe wa rena gomme ga A go rata, a go tshepile ga ka…
gona se sengwe seo se ka dirago seo ka botlalo. Wa mo dudiša fase.
Ge nka fiwa sebaka, nka diriša mmino go kgobokanya batho ba
bohle, re be mmogo, go se be le ntwa e tee lefaseng. Gomme ke Lehono ke šupa lebitla la gagwe
gona ke tla ipotša gore nna bophelong bjaka ke dirile seo nka se O fihlile legaeng la gagwe
kgonago le gore seo se bontšhitše lerato go ba bangwe. Legae la go hloka tlaišo
Legae la go mo nea borutho le tlhokomelo.
Ikgomotseng Sekwala – Grade 12 Legae la go mo fa tšohle tšeo o mo amogilego a sa buša moya.

Ke llwe matlhale! O reng o rothiša dikeledi?
Ka lebaka la gago, re kgamathela madi a leseana le.
“Ngwana magana go botšwa o wetše dikomeng a re dikoma O nkgaroša matswalo tatago ngwana!
ke tšešo,” ba boletše bagologono, gomme mamohla ke paki ya O nkgaroša matswalo…
mmolelwana wo. Malebo Sedibeng – Grade 12
A o nagana gore go thabiša bagwera go feta batswadi ba gago ke
taba ye botse? Etla ke go hlathollele ka tšeo ke bego ke di dira. Moropa
Ke be ke leka go kgahliša bagwera le dithaka, ke e nwa madila,
ke goga matekwane, ke eya dinaga tsoko kua ntle ga tumelelo ya O Moropa wa pelo yaka.
batswadi baka. Ruri ge re re ga rena sebe re a ikaketša, gomme ge Pelo yaka e ya go hloka.
ele nnete ge ge e re bona e a re khutela. Ke be ke itira ngwana Mahlo a ka a tletše lerole
wago loka mathomong, gomme ka fetoga mo e lego gore ka Leleme la ka le feletšwe ke mantšu

144 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

Viewpoint

Matolo a ka a thothomela Andrea Chilro – Grade 11
Ge o bethwa ke a bina
Mošito wa gago o mpha bophelo Mabarebare a re, mosetsana yoo wa gago ga a sa go rata.
Mošito wa pelo yaka o tšwela pele ge o bethwa
Mošito tšwela pele Ke kwele, o be o ntlhologetše
O moropa... wa pelo yaka. O be o botša batho dilo tša go se be nnete,
Tetelo Mpuru – Grade 11 Go swana le : pelo yaka e sa le ya gago.
Na, ga wa kwa ditaba tše?
Setšo saka
Hle Modimo, šegofatša pelo ya monna yo
Ke Mopedi wa go tšwa Sekhukhune, Ga-Masemola Limpopo O na le hlogo ya gagwe marung
Ke nna morwedi wa mafelelo wa Solomon le Tryphina Sebotsane, O ntirile setlaela
bao ba goletšeng dithabaneng tša Modimolle Ebile, o nkišitše fase.
Ke re ge lapa la rena le tšwelela dipekwa di letša melodi Mabarebare a re o a mo tlogela ka gore o nyaka lerato la ka...
Bana ba rena ba gorošwa ka mošate Daphney Maponya – Grade 10
Ai! Ai! Ai! Ai! Ai! Ai! Ai!
Ke nna re a tseba TORO
Batho ba fela ba ntaela ba re go ya ka mogoro ga se go tšwana,
fela melato yona re tla bowa re rerišana Toro, o a mmakatša
Manaba a ka a tla šala a beile diatla phahleng, O nketela bošego kudu,
nna ke phetile mediro yaka Mosegare le gona o a ntlhola.
Ke tšhaba mediti Toro, o a ntshwenya, o a ntlhobaetša,
Atli Motuku – Grade 11 O thoma kgole, letswalo la emaema,
Pelo ya rethetha.
Mma Setshaba
O nkiša moo ke sa go lemogego,
O kaka hlapetswana ya leeba Wa nkopanya le bao ke sa ba hlathego,
O swere tšohle matsogong a gago Polelo ra iša kgole,
Lefase le ema ka wena ka dikwaekwae Le ka matswele ra tulana.
Ga o motho wa sekhethe fela
O mogwera wa makgonthe O kopanya motho le badimo.
Wena Mmasetšhaba Go bangwe ke Kopano ye thata,
Re kwa ka wena fela Gobane ba fetša ba sa bo pate,
O mmelegi wa setšhaba Ba hlahuna mantšu a dinatla,
Re lahlela tshepo go wena Ba balabala megopolong.

Wena Mmago setšhaba Toro, ntšhabele hle, ntšhabele
O setšweletša kwešišo, kgotlelelo, Gore pele re yago o se ye,
Segwera gare ga ditšhaba Gore re se gwerana.
O fa o sa lebelele gore Shocky Shai – Grade 10
Go fa ke go fega
Tisetso Petje, Tiisetso Phetla, Awande Lugojolo – Grade 11

Mabarebare a re...

Yoo, ga se nnete
A ka se kgone go go rata ka mokgwa wo ke go ratilego.
Ke yena mofeti
Nna le wena re tsebane kgale, ga o sa gopola?
Ga ke gane, a ka mphala ka sefahlego
Eupša moratiwa, pelo yeo ke ye o e nyakago?

Šegofatša pelo ya gagwe
O na le hlogo ya gago marung
O ntirile setlaela
Mošemane, o nkišitše fase.
Pelo ya gago, ke ya noga - e ya tonya

145The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013

Viewpoint
Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know? Waste-bin full of

paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These words arFermyeonwcn.hFrom my heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying to

write a classic. Don't you know, don't you knoCwr, edaont'tiyvouekWnrowi?tWinagste-bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later.

These words are my own. From my heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know,
don't you know, don't you know? Waste-bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These words are my own. From
my heart flown. Trying to find the magic. Trying to write a classic. Don't you know, don't you know, don't you know?
Waste-bin full of paper. Clever rhymes, see you later. These words are my own. From my heart flown. Trying to find the

magic.

Une fable La fête du printemps

Petit Potame et Le Renard Cette année à la fête du printemps ma famille viendra avec moi. À huit
Il était une fois un mignon hippopotame et il s’appelait Petit Potame. heures je dois d’abord signer mon nom. Ensuite je verrai mes amies.
Il était tres triste, parce qu’il y avait un méchant Renard qui l’a taquiné Nous pousserons une déléguée dans l’eau et nous regarderons le dé-
chaque jour. Le Renard a dit : « Petit Potame est lourd, Petit Potame filé de mode. Puis nous flânerons au stand de nourriture.
est lent, il est juste comme un enfant. Mais moi, je suis le plus rapide Mon père d’abord regardera les hommes jouer de la cornemuse.
du monde !» Après il achètera de la nourriture du café allemande.
Un jour Le Renard a défié Petit Potame à manger sa nourriture plus Ma mère travaillera à l’étalage de bouquiniste pour le jour parce qu’elle
rapide que lui. Tous les deux ont mangé le plus rapide qu’ils pourraient, aime les livres.
mais pauvre Petit Potame était trop lent. Mon frère jouera sur des manages il ira sur la glissade d’eau. Il mange
Le Renard a gagné, mais avant qu’il pût célébrer, il s'est étouffé et il à toute les stands de nourriture.
est mort. Pour la fête du printemps tout le monde doit travailler. Nous devons
Petit Potame a réalisé que quelque fois, c’est mieux d’être plus lent. travailler pour deux heures et après nous nous amuserons. Je pense
Zoe Kalbskopf & Mia van Schalkwyk que la fête du printemps va être très amusante.
Ashlee Lotter – Grade 10
le 27 juillet
J’aime et j’adore....
Hier, au Cap, j'ai rencontré un homme...
J’adore la musique parce qu’il y a de la musique pour chaque humeur.
Cette fois, le changement est pour de vrai. Je n'ai pas besoin de me J’adore le chocolat parce que c’est délicieux. J’adore le français parce
cacher parce que je suis vraiment heureuse! Grâce à Antoine, beau, que le français est intéressant. J’aime dessiner parce que ça me fait
grand, Antoine, je peux aider quelqu'un d'autre pour être content dans heureux. J’aime aller à la plage parce que c’est très beau. J’aime voy-
cette vie. Il y a une raison pour laquelle mon Antoine a du mourir et ager par avion parce que je me sens libre. J’adore la danse parce que
peut-être, quand cet homme voit que c'est un beau jour de pluie, moi c’est très beau. J’aime lire parce que c’est amusant. J’aime regarder les
aussi, je vais tomber et ne jamais me lever. Nous sommes sur cette films drôle parce que j’adore rire.
terre pour l'autre: Antoine pour moi et moi pour cet homme et même Ashlee Lotter – Grade 10
mes enfants - j'espère qu'ils trouvent quelqu'un pour les aimer car je ne
pouvais pas le faire.
Rebecca Harle – Grade 12

A mon avis, je suis vraiment contre la
cigarette!

Je ne fume pas et je déteste la cigarette. Ashlee Lotter – Grade 10
D’abord, la cigarette est très mauvaise pour la santé. Les gens qui
fument ne penser pas aux risques de santés. Si vous fumez, vous pour-
riez avoir un cancer du poumon ou une maladie cardio-vasculaire.
Ensuite, c’est un gâchis d’argent. J’ai une amie qui fume et je connais
des fumeurs dépendants, et ils pensent que c’est trop cher! Je pense
que mon amie fume pour impressionner les autres et quand on fume,
on n’a pas envie de manger, donc on ne prend pas de poids.
Et plus, ça pue! Quand je suis avec les gens qui fument, je fais atten-
tion que je ne peux pas respirer dans les lieux en fumés, et je n’aime pas
sentir l’odeur sur mes vêtements. Heureusement, chez moi et dans ma
famille, personne ne fume.
Ensuite, je connais des gens qui fument et qui veulent arrêter, mais la
cigarette est une drogue et je sais qu’ils n’arrivent pas à se libérer de
cette dépendance - ça va être dur!
Enfin, la cigarette est très, très mauvaise! Ma question finale est: pour-
quoi est-ce que tant des gens continuent à fumer?
Amber Eksteen – Grade 11

146 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris

Viewpoint

La fête du printemps sera très amusante Amber Eksteen – Grade 11
Voulez-vous aller avec moi?
Il y a un défile de mode que ma mère regardera, ma sœur - elle jouera Un bisou
au à la glissade d’eau et sur les manèges. Je sais que je m’amuserai Sabrina
d’abord. Je signerai mon nom tôt le matin puis je travaillerai à l’étal. Sabrina Velini – Grade 10
Ensuite je voudrais acheter de la nourriture avec mes amis au stand.
Je verrai mes amies et j’irai au Menlyn, et mangerai au restaurant et Cher Pierre
m’amuserai. Je resterai jusqu’à neuf heures là. Ensuite, j’irai à la mai-
son. Puis je dormirai et regarderai les filmes. C’est La Saint- Valentin ! Je suis contente parce que je peux être
Lerato Thabane – Grade 10 avec vous. Vous êtes le meilleur petit-ami. Je ne peux pas attendre
sortir avec vous. J' aime vos yeux marron. C’est très beau. Quand je
Vous aidez à la maison ? suis avec vous, je suis très heureuse parce que vous êtes formida-
ble. Quand venez-vous? Je voudrais vous voir maintenant! Je vous
Monique: Bonjour Marie, comment ça va? aime. Je ne peux pas vous attendre vous voir.
Marie: Bonjour Monique, ça va bien merci et toi? Deborah
Monique: Ça ca bien merci, tu aides à la maison? Deborah Amenigy – Grade 10
Marie: Oui, j'aide tous les tours à la maison!
Monique: Tu aides à la maison Monique? Un dialogue entre Maudie et Carmen –
Marie: Oui Marie, j'aide souvent à la maison. l’argent de poche
Monique: Chez nous, tout le monde doit aider.
Marie: Ma mère est femme au foyer mais j'aide. Carmen: Comment peux-tu obtenir de l’argent de poche?
Monique: Mes parents me donnent dix euros. Maudie: Je fais du baby-sitting pour gagner de l’argent. C’est bien
Marie: Je fais du baby-sitting pour douze euros. parce que j’aime les enfants!
Monique: Aimez-vous les enfants? Carmen: Combien d’argent de poche touches-tu?
Marie: Qui, mon père est très riche parce que il travaille tard. Maudie: On me paie sept euros par heure. Je trouve que c’est
Marie: Mon père est aussi riche. assez mal payé. Et toi?
Monique: Au revoir à bientôt Marie. Carmen: Pendant les vacances je travaille comme garçons dans
Marie: Au revoir! un petit bistrot.
Jeanique Strydom – Grade 10 Maudie: Tu l’aimes? Combine d’argent de poche touches-tu?
Carmen: Oui ! J’aime mes collègues parce qu’ils sont sympa.
La fête du printemps On me paie vingt euros par semaine. Je trouve que c’est
assez bien payé.
À la fête du printemps, je viendrai avec ma familie. D’abord j’achèterai Maudie: C’est très bien. Tu es riche ! À vrai dire je gaspille mon
des livres. Je voudrais regarder la défilé de mode avec mes amies parce argent. Je suis pauvre.
que c’est très intéressant. Ensuite je pousserai une déléguée dans l’eau Carmen: Que achètes-tu avec de l’argent de poche ?
avec ma sœur et mes amies. Je suis très contente parce que il y a aura Maudie: Pas trop. Je vais acheter un skate et un CD.
beaucoup de stand de nourriture et c’est bon. Je dois signer mon nom Carmen: Je regrette, mais je dois partir maintenant. Au revoir.
samedi avec mes amies et ma sœur. Ensuite m’amuserai avec mes Maudie Loffstadt – Grade 10
amies et me relaxerai. Je verrai les garçons jouer de la cornemuse.
Ensuite, ma mère et ma sœur iront au café allemand. Ensuite j’irai 147The Iris • PHSG 1902–2013
sur des manèges avec ma mère, mes amies et ma sœur et sur glissade
d’eau. Enfin je signerai mon nom et j’irai à la maison.
Attie Booi – Grade 10

Ce que j’ aime…

J'aime Lady Gaga parce que elle est mon chanteur préféré et elle
chante très bien. J'aime la mode et le programme "Fashion TV" parce
que j'aime les vêtements différents. J'adore voyager au tour du monde
et essayer nouveaux langues parce que c'est très intéressant. J'aime
mes animaux parce qu'ils sont trop mignons! J'adore le chocolat parce
que c'est délicieux.
Sabrina Velini – Grade 10

Les notes pour le jour de Saint- Valentin

Cher Pierre,
Joyeux jour de Saint-Valentin!
Vous êtes mon petit chou! J'adore vos yeux et vous êtes tellement
beau! Nous sommes le couple parfait! J'espère que vous avez un ex-
cellent jour et un bon weekend. Je suis très contente avec vous et je
t'aime beaucoup! Julian fait une fête avec ses copines ce soir.

French Tour

SFportenHchigThlioguhrts

148 PHSG 1902–2013 • The Iris