The Iris Magazine 2005

Volleyball

V lleyball

Achievers: District Team – Michelle von Maltitz and
Hope Latakgomo; Regional Team, North Gauteng –
Hope Latakgomo

We have had many new faces at volleyball this year as quite a

number of Grade 8s and older players decided to join us. I

think they were amazed to discover that volleyball is quite

different to what they had expected. Many moaned and

groaned as they learnt how to dig and set as they had bruised

arms and stiff, sprained necks. Don't worry, we have all

survived!

We played volleyball nearly every weekend in the first and

second terms as we played in the Gauteng Volleyball

League. Our team did quite well; the U19B team went

through to the quarter-finals and the U19As made it to the

semi-finals. However, we hope to do better in our current

league.

We also played in a school and club Beach Volleyball

Tournament on 11 March at Pick 'n Pay, Faerie Glen. It was VOLLEYBALL 1ST TEAM

an amazing experience, as we had never played Back Row (L-R): Dorothea Seseni, Leanne Ferreira, Henriette Herbst, Joan Kiiru,
Amanda Kandawire, Samantha Eaton, Michelle von Maltitz, Hlogi Matlala
competitively on sand before except when they level our Front Row (L-R): Mpumi Dammie, Anneke Lombard, Ms D Kladis, Malesotse
Makgalemele, Abigail Heuvel
courts and that constitutes dust! We did extremely well and
VOLLEYBALL U19B TEAM
our U19B team came first and the U19A team came second.
ABSENT: Lebo Nchoe, Tshego Moota, Stella Matsinhe
In April we had our first volleyball clinic at the Groenkloof Back Row (L-R): Lebo Mahlare, Dalene Heuvel, Tshegofatso Swahledi, Liz Webster,
Angela Lubuulwa, Cara Loubser, Deney van Rooyen, Laura du Plessis, Hope Latakgomo
Campus. We started skills practice on the Friday afternoon, Front Row (L-R): Matshepo Peta, Kara Collins, Ms T Chobokoane, Chanté Southwood,
Gugu Mthombeni
burning a lot of calories and then had pizza at Romans!

Yep, picked them ALL up again! The next morning, tired

and sore, we started the drills all over again. Lunch time

brought relief as we sat and watched, amazed as

our coaches played for their respective teams.

We would like to thank all our supporters

who sat patiently and waited for our

matches to begin. We would like to thank Mrs

McNair, the teachers, Zamile and all the

cheerleade rs who came to support. Thank you

also to our coaches, Gabriel, Isabel, Thabi,

Thembi and especially Ms Kladis, for

all the hours they put aside to coach and

support us. Without you we would not

have had volleyball teams with such

excellent skills and spirit. This

year was wonderful and by the

sounds of it, next year is going

to be great!

Anneke Lombard

Captain

99PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Volleyball

VOLLEYBALL U16 TEAM VOLLEYBALL U14 A & B TEAMS

Back Row (L-R): Tutula Nhantsi, Palesa Mayizale, Danelle Wessels, Amy Collier Back Row (L-R): Didi Kelesepetse, Esther Sola, Effie Condounis, Jessica Meyer,

Middle Row (L-R): Rosemary Cheadle, Melissa Greyling, Esther Chakwana, Courtney Roberts, Andrea Spyron

Tara Deacon, Karen Lampert, Tsholo Tukisi Middle Row (L-R): Melisa Asante, Domonique Skeen, Donné Grobler,

Front Row (L-R): Jackie Nkhoma, Chanel Nunes, Ms T Mtimkulu, Belinda Mokone, Nandipha Mketi, Tarryn Whittle, Charmaine Mogale, Fezile Bahula, Lisa Grunewald

Esther Johnson Front Row (L-R): Talita Grëyling, Ms C Wenhold, Ms T Mtimkulu,

Ms T Chobokoane, Kimishka Naidoo

Water P lo

Achievers: Gauteng U19B Lize Maartens; Gauteng U19C The high spirited U15s also started the season with a victory
Jess Blythe, Siobhan Oelofsen, Keegan Woodcock, Diale against Crawford Lonehill. They continued to dominate the pool
Maepa; Gauteng U19D Hayleigh Mackay, Anji Woodley; throughout the season. On behalf of the First Team I would like
Gauteng U 16 Caileigh Pentz to thank you all for your support. I hope you enjoyed spending
time with us even though carrying our towels and shouting for us
Water Polo has been a part of Girls' High since 2001 and I have were part of the package. We really appreciated it!
had the pleasure of being in the First Team for four years and have Our First Team girls participated in the Aquatics Festival and we
watched Girls' High water polo go from strength to strength. reached the semi-finals and beat St Dominic's, for the first time in
Our U16s started the season on a high note. They participated in two years, reaching the final but we unfortunately lost 9-1 to
the Randpark Tournament and narrowly lost to Randpark in the Clarendon Girls' High. However, we walked away with silver
finals. They remained unbeaten for the rest of the season, beating medals and an unforgettable experience.
Saints, Crawford Lonehill, Krugersdorp, St Dunstan's, We also participated in the Reef Cup which was held at Saints. We
Kingsmead and St Dominic's. Well done, girls! reached the first round of semi-finals but lost to Crawford
Lonehill 5-3. We then played Randpark in the second round but
lost 3-2, just missing out on the final.
A l l t e a m s remained high spirited throughout the

season. We had a time of reflection
when it came to our end-of-season
party. The girls reminisced about the
highlights of the season and we had
some farewells to our coaches,
Kim Roodt and Vanessa Coetzee.
Well done to all the teams for
holding your heads high. I have
learnt that Girls' High always
sticks together through victory
and defeat.
Good luck for the future!

Monique Frinke

Captain

Waterpolo

WATERPOLO 1ST TEAM WATERPOLO 2ND TEAM

Back Row (L-R): Hayleigh Mackay, Jessica Blythe, Siobhan Oelofson, ABSENT: Tammy Schultz
Brittany Fenwick, Lize Maartens, Keegan Woodcock, Robyn Jones, Debbie Smit Back Row (L-R): Robyn Powell, Tyler Jacobs, Aimée Crewe-Brown, Joani Holt,
Front Row (L-R): Amy Hope-Sotherton, Monique Frinke, Mrs M Ford, Maxine Evans, Elizabeth Vorster, Kriya Gangiah
Caileigh Pentz, Maryke Mostert Front Row (L-R): Gwen van der Merwe, Danielle Bester, Mrs M Ford,
Kerry Pieterse, Nicole Hudson-Lamb

WATER POLO 3RD TEAM WATER POLO U16 TEAM

Back Row (L-R): Samantha Adamson, Kate du Toit, Lauren Atkinson, Back Row (L-R): Severn Williams, Kim Perry, Liz Bolink, Lindell van Niekerk,
Cavell Wardle, Lenae Vlok, Kedibone Matlala Natalie Papageorge
Front Row (L-R): Gillian Bowen, Ms C Christodoulou, Amy Whem, Middle Row (L-R): Kriya Gangiah, Sheila-Ann Roos, Vicky McGaw,
Carolyn Langley, Saskia Tait Claire Batchelor, Jessica Rainbow, Diale Maepa
Front Row (L-R): Paige du Toit, Carolyn Langley, Catherine Deiner,
Ms C Christodoulou, Anji Woodley

101PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Water Polo

WATER POLO U15A TEAM WATER POLO U15B TEAM

ABSENT: Janneke Hattingh, Simonn Seegers ABSENT: Genevieve Woodley, Caitelin Godfrey, Jasmien
Back Row (L-R): Nadine Watson, Benita Boegman Sevenster
Middle Row (L-R): Rachel Pickering, Ami Gottwald, Kym Back Row (L-R): Alexia Oelofse, Michelle Mills
Smith, Kimmie Bosman Middle Row (L-R): Tammy-Lynne Niemand, Kate Manson,
Front Row (L-R): Sammy Prost, Louisa Shaw, Christi Prost Valerie Hopf
Front Row (L-R): Zita Strydom, Kirsten de Beer,
Dominique Sfreddo

WATER POLO U14A TEAM WATERPOLO U14B

Back Row (L-R): Lisa Grunewald, Sine Sigwaza, Genevieve Woodley, Tamara Brand, ABSENT: Edith Lombard, Samantha Steyn, Dizelle
Kerry Bodenstein, Shandre Fortuin, Shereen Kennard, Michelle Spies Oberholzer
Front Row (L-R): Dora Szebeni, Christine Roos, Ms C Button, Teresa Griessel, Back Row (L-R): Lauren King, Bridget Vlag
Bonita Lubbe Middle Row (L-R): Megan Dippenaar, Mary-Ann Nel
Front Row (L-R): Melindi Dean, Ms C Button, Leigh-Ann
102PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS van Heerden

Cultural Highlights

Music

Music

SENIOR CHOIR

ABSENT: Kelly Sue Mitchell, Aurelie Tshimbombo, Debby Nixon, Maggie Barnard, Thuto Masihleho, Lauren Sackett, Piette Cÿrus, Reinette du Toit, Ikanyeng
Motlhamme, Annerien Erasmus
Back Row (L-R): Nana Nunoo, Rorisang Skhosana, Joani Holt, Phakama Botha, Roxanne Malan, Joan Kiiru, Linnaea Vlok, Marelie Theron, Tamaryn Pike,
Laurian Green, Mokwazi Zimu, Sagwati Golele, Rosie Blersch, Chanelle Harbour, Anre van der Westhuizen, Kayleigh Naude, Louise Clark, Alex Jerrett
3rd Row (L-R): Oyena Biyongo, Mariette Enslin, Stephanie Baek, Natalie Reid-Ross, Nolwazi Mjwarra, Ayanda Magwegwe, Françoise Goga, Thato Ranamane,
Marissa Venter, Nomhi Nhantsi, Thlogi Ranyawa, Despina Marques, Melissa van Putten, Kayleigh Nienaber, Megan Kahts, Stephanie Bagshaw, Suzanna Gericke
2nd Row (L-R): Sanel Marshall, Filipa Bandeira, Mokgabo Tshenkeng, Jessica Mulder, Palesa Nthongoa, Nicole de Klerk, Sally Henderson, Lisa Lau, Shandukani
Mulaudzi, Karabo Seate, Lebogang Mahlare, Carla de Oliveira, Bianca de Klerk, Lebogang Mathenje, Solofelang Machaba, Fiona Morris
Front Row (L-R): Mr P Ferreira, Kabelo Mokoena, Tshenolo Bodiwe, Busi Mncube, Liane Bosch, Katherine Harding, Jodi Nagel, Rati Mogoai, Thando Makhalima,
Joanne Beckwith, Zamile Mzizi, Kgosigasdi Moroeng, Thoedora Noyile, Claudia de Oliviera, Karato Lekoloane, Banele Lukhele, Nompumelelo Nyathi, Pheletso Molapo,
Tutula Nhantsi, Mr M Barret

CHOIR Choir, sang at the President's Golf Day and of course, our
Our first choir camp at Girls' High was just a prelude to what unforgettable Gala Concert.
proved to be an exciting, fun-filled and very busy year. We have grown from strength to strength, cherishing every
We will never forget that eventful tour to Kwa-Zulu Natal when we moment as if it were our last. Thank you to Mr Barrett and Mr
spent hours on the road, sang at Drakies and hiked early in the Ferreira for their hard work and dedication in helping us create
morning, looking for that sunrise .. it never did show! music as only the Girls' High Choir knows how from the heart.
The Choir achieved two A++ at the Beeld Eisteddfod, won their Thank you to all the choir ladies for sharing their love of music
section in the ATKV-APPLOUS (which means we got to keep our with such enthusiasm and dedication.

trophy), performed with the Zamile Mzizi Grade 12
University of Johannesburg

104PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Music

CHOIR TOUR eventually got there after what seemed like an eternity and were
On a cold Wednesday morning, seventy-nine eager girls gathered able to rehearse in their hall for about an hour. Their school day
outside the front door of the school while it was still dark. We ended at 14:00. Some eager looking students were ushered into
loaded our enormous bags on top of the two buses, hugged our their hall to be allocated girls to host that night. Amid much
parents goodbye and we were off! anticipation, everyone was allocated host families and we all
After a long drive and quite a few very important stops, we finally went our separate ways. Most of the host families and their
arrived at the Military Base in the Drakensberg - our home for the surrogate children attended a carnival that night. After
first night. There was only just enough time to find our rooms and countless rides and unnatural quantities of junk food, we were
change before we had to be in the Auditorium of the Drakensberg all taken back 'home' for a much needed sleep.
Boys' Choir School to rehearse for the concert later that afternoon. By 07:00 on Friday morning, we were all back at the high school.
The first half of the programme entailed a performance by the With very little time to warm up, we managed to give a
internationally acclaimed Drakensberg Boys' Choir which our wonderful performance to a very responsive audience. It was
conductor, Mr Michael Barrett, was part of a few years ago. They also the first time we had performed our very challenging
put on a fantastic and memorable show. The Girls' High Choir Finnish piece that we were all relieved to get through.
gave an incredible performance which secured us a standing Newcastle High School's Choir also gave an impromptu
ovation from the boys. The night was not over yet. A social was performance to thank us.
arranged for the two respective choirs and needless to say, for Once again, there was no time to stop. A quick change in the
various reasons, it was a night that nobody will forget in a hurry. music department and back on the buses (which were beginning
Thursday began with a voluntary hike up one of the mountains to to feel like home). After a few unscheduled stops and road
watch the sunrise. Although it was freezing, about twenty eager blocks and much hilarity on the buses, we arrived at
girls and four die-hard boys followed Mr Barrett up very muddy Pietermaritzburg Girls' High. We were getting used to the fact
slopes until we finally reached the top. Sadly, there was too much that we would never have too much time to catch our breath.
mist for us to see anything spectacular but many jokes were told Another quick change, a rehearsal in the hall and another
and wonderful memories were made. concert. Pietermaritzburg opened the concert with a selective
After a hurried breakfast, we were back on the buses and off again. array of repertoire from their choir and orchestra. We then gave
Our destination this time was Newcastle High School. We one of our better performances to a very appreciative audience.

105PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Music

JUNIOR CHOIR

ABSENT: Melindy Dean, Evelyn Mfolo, Bronwyn Pieters, Dané Prinsloo, Alma Krige
Back Row (L-R): Lehlogonolo Tjale, Mariska Grimbeek, Donné Grobler, Aline Mwambakana,Zinzi Mkhwanazi, Helen Acres, Megan Joseph
3rd Row (L-R): Dominique Sheen, Xi-Xi Li, Jae Lim, Karabo Ramalibana, Sipesihle Ziqhu, Mmapula Hlongwane, Neo Ntlatseng, Lotty Maboa, Roxanne Kellerman,
Gladys Bitumba, Mellissa Asaute, Nosipho Goba, Marie-Pierre Ogoula
2nd Row (L-R): Keamongetswa Mothoagae, Mmpumi Skosana, Emily Millar, Kasulwa Masondo, Thabang Malatji, Katlwano Semakaleng, Kendal Bentley, Bongeka Sishi,
Kimishka Naidoo, Nkalipho Molala, Nwabisa Mafalala, Roxette Malala, Bonita Lubbe, Kayleigh Herselman, Kgololelo Tshwane
Front Row (L-R): Mrs A Venter, Louhan Pentz, Lebogang Kgotadi, Song-Ha Choi, Lindiwe Mahlangu, Kgologano Mokoko, Zanele Hlongwane, Clarise Winkler, Hannah-
Marie Fobian, Chrisomo Nthulani, Tiffany Margolis, Johanna Mojela, Maxine Nortjé, Kelly Davidson, Anelisa Tabata, Fondo Nofemela, Dudu Lamola, Tumi Nhwali,
Stephanie Biza, Mr M Barret

The concert ended on a high note with a mass choir item Choir well and were as hospitable and friendly as always. After an
impromptu performance to the cashier at the movie desk, a few
conducted by our very own Mr Barrett. girls and Mr Barrett decided to go and watch The Ring 2. Who
would have thought that we could scream so loudly?
Friday night was occupied by a trip to the mall in Pietermaritzburg. Surprisingly, we all slept well that night and woke up semi-fresh.
After breakfast, we sadly packed the buses for the last time and
Mr Barrett got to watch the rugby. Needless to say, not much drove to Bergendal NG Kerk to sing in their Sunday morning
service. We were given snacks afterwards and all the parishioners
happened that night and I think we all left feeling very appreciative were thankful for our music. Unfortunately, it was time to go.
Back on the buses for the last time and a nostalgic trip back home
of the night life back home. commenced. We all had such a great time that nobody wanted it
to end so soon. Many thanks must go to Madame Scholtz and Mr
An early start on Saturday and an excruciatingly long bus trip to Ferreira for accompanying us on the tour and to Mr Barrett for
his brilliance in music, his conducting and making the tour so
Bloemfontein during which near fatal quantities of Top Deck and memorable for everyone involved. To the 2005 Choir, music is a
gift that we all love and share. Thank you for a fantastic tour and a
Flings were consumed. When you are on such a bus trip, you have great year!

no choice but to get to know your fellow singers and your Sally Henderson Grade 12

conductor. A few interesting discoveries were made about

everyone.

Although a rehearsal was scheduled when we

arrived at Oranje Meisies', Mr Barrett very

kindly gave us more time to unpack

and change. This was f o l l owe d

by a trip to Mimosa Mall.

They know the Girls' High

106PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Music

FOLK GROUP

Back Row (L-R): Thato Ranamane, Ndu Tlou, Zamile Mzizi, Phakama Botha, Sagwati Golele, Xi-Xi Li
Middle Row (L-R): Batseba Mampuru, Refilwe Sebothoma, Nompumelelo Skosana, Zamandlovu Kumbaca, Tsenolo Ntsane, Zanele
Maeko, Thato Burhali, Shandu Mulaudzi
Front Row (L-R): Zanele Hlongwane, Fondo Nofemela, Nompumelelo Nyathi, Ms I Groenewald, Gugulethu Qupe, Kgosigadi Moroeng,
Kedirile Maake

FOLK GROUP LES FÉES
2005 has been an interesting year full of changes for all of us. We
began the year under the leadership of Ms Groenewald with whom Our barbershop group had a very busy and
we learnt challenging music ranging from a self-arranged Afrikaans
lullaby to the most popular Josh Groban song, You raise me up. We successful 2005. The year started with a good
learnt the African flavour in an African medley of traditional songs
ranging from wedding songs to songs about everyday issues performance at one of our delightful Sunday
including the ever-popular Mama Tembu's Wedding and Koloi ena.
Our performance for the casual day celebrations of the South concerts. We also charmed the audiences at St
African National Defence Force at Zwartkop truly reflected the
spirit of fun and laughter and demonstrated the Folk Group's Albans Art and Reconciliation Concert and
emphasis on entertainment and our connection with the public
with Mrs Maas now managing us. We also had a fantastic went on to win the Best Ensemble Group
performance at the PHSG Gala Concert. Shortly after this we were
pleased to welcome our new conductor, Mr Ndlovu from Tuks and with an A++ at the Beeld Eisteddfod. We
we look forward to working with him.
Thank you to all for giving their best in 2005 and I wish you then gave enjoyable performances at
everything of the best for 2006.
Bloemfontein, Newcastle and
Pumi Nyathi Grade 12
Pietermaritzburg when we toured

with the choir. During the third term,

we entertained a variety of audiences at

a church service, the Intercultural

Charity Concert at the Aula and the

PHSG Senior Instrumental evening.

The year ended with our

spectacular show of captivating

repertoire at the PHSG Annual

Gala Concert.

It has been a privilege and

honour to sing with fifteen

outstandingly talented girls who

showed great fervour and

passion for music. I extend my

thanks to all the singers, and

especially Mrs van der Sandt, for all

her efforts and for strengthening

our love for music-making. 107PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS
Lisa Lau Grade 12

Music

LES FEÉS QUI CHANTENT UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA YOUTH CHOIR

ABSENT: Jodi Nagel Back Row (L-R): Melissa van Putten, Stephanie Bagshaw, Kayleigh Naudé,
Back Row (L-R): Alex Jerrett, Louise Clark, Mrs B van der Sandt Rosemary Blersch, Mariëtte Eiselen
Middle Row (L-R): Stephanie Bagshaw, Despina Marques, Françoise Goga, Front Row (L-R): Tjedza Peba, Lisa Lau, Fiona Morris, Karabo Lekoloane,
Thlogi Ranyawa, Mariëtte Enslin, Suzanne Gericke Banele Lukhele
Front Row (L-R): Fiona Morris, Nomhi Nhantsi, Lebo Mahlare, Lisa Lau,
Karabo Lekoloane, Bianca de Klerk, Kayleigh Naudé

ORCHESTRA

ABSENT: Margueritte Blom
Back Row (L-R): Santari Reddy, Rorisang Skhosana, Nikita Pierce, Lindell van Niekerk, Rosie Blersch
3rd Row (L-R): Filipa Bandeira, Dominique Robertson, Marina de Freitas, Claire Batchelor, Kirstin de Beer, Josephine Hamman, Piette Cÿrus, Shoki
Maleka, Jess Cameron
2nd Row (L-R): Lebo Mahlare, Nicole Godfrey, Nomhi Nhantsi, Natasha Gouws, Margaret Hsu, Bianca de Klerk, Mpho Khwinana, Kgosi Moroeng
Front Row (L-R): Ingrid Cloete, Inge Garbers, Mrs A Venter, Tali Cassidy, Mrs V Hohls, Laurian Green, Sonia de Freitas

108PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Music

ORCHESTRA and the National Youth Orchestra. The glamorous Gala Concert
The past year has seen the orchestra grow in numbers and was a fitting end to an exhilarating year and a fabulous (but sad)
strength. We now boast a greater variety of instruments than farewell to Mrs Venter and the seven-strong matric group.
ever, including our first percussion section. As I look back on an eventful 2005 during which the orchestra in
Combined with the Affies Orchestra in the first term, we formed some form, has entertained at Sunday morning concerts,
the musical backbone of the school musical, Cinderella. Our own instrumental evenings, school functions, assemblies and the Four
repertoire was not neglected either, and a new conductor, Mrs Schools' Concert, I know that it is not just audiences that have
Venter, helped Mrs Hohls to polish our pieces to perfection. gained from our performances.
The ensembles have also reached new heights. The spirited 'Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.
string ensemble has performed more than ever before at Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and
concerts and in assemblies, while the wind ensemble No Strings invents.' - Ludwig van Beethoven.
Attached, was awarded an A+ at the Beeld Eisteddfod, winning What more needs to be said about a group of girls and two
the section. Members of the Orchestra have also represented us exceptional teachers who are willing to give up so much time in
in Simfonia Juventi, University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra pursuit of it?

Tali Cassidy Grade 12

SIMFONIA JUVENTI STRING ENSEMBLE
ABSENT: Margueritte Blom
Front Row (L-R): Claire Batchelor, Avital Cassidy, Filipa Bandeira, Jess Cameron Back Row (L-R): Mpho Khwinana, Jess Cameron, Josephine Hamman,
Claire Batchelor, Dominique Robertson, Filipa Bandeira
Front Row (L-R): Ingrid Cloete, Mrs V Hohls, Inge Garbers,
Mrs A Venter, Kgasigadi Moroeng

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA JACARANDA WOODWIND ENSEMBLE
CHILDREN'S CHOIR
Back Row (L-R): Lebo Mahlare, Rosie Blersch, Alex Jerrett, Sankari Reddy,
Front Row (L-R): Mrs B van der Sandt (Conductor), Kelly Davidson, Helen Acres,
Dominique Skeen, Xi-Xi Li Piette Cÿrus, Natasha Gouws

Front Row (L-R): Laurian Green, Mrs V Hohls, Tali Cassidy, Mrs A Venter,

Lindell van Niekerk 109PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Clubs and Societies

Clubs and Societies

HEADS OF CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Back Row (L-R): Lisa Lau, Leila Badsha, Esther McGeer, Zamile Mzizi, Sarah-Jean Wills, Jessica Cheesman,
Carina Wiechers, Tamzyn Gast, Tali Cassidy
Middle Row (L-R): Pumi Nyathi, Jólene Jennings, Bianca Fernandes, Nkabaneng Selepe, Ayanda Magwegwe, Melinda
Nel, Makgabo Mabula, Katia de Ponte
Front Row (L-R): Ingrid Cloete, Itumeleng Kgafela, Basetsana Khomo, Caitlyn Greenberg, Keabetswe Mathebula,
Kopano Mogase, Maria Ferreira

Amnesty International prisoners.
Amnesty International at our school is an important platform for
'Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights' discussion and awareness of our rights and the rights of those
Bob Marley around us, locally and globally.
Leila Badsha Grade 12
We started the year off with a presentation in assembly which
highlighted the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and Bridge
worldwide genocide. We were part of an international campaign This year has been a really good year for us! We had many new
for the 'World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child'. We people joining and old members staying. We started the year well
held an election for the three nominees. The election proved to be and played a few matches against PBHS where the cards and the
a success and it hopefully gave many of us a taste of real elections cake were wonderful although sometimes the cake was better
and their importance in our country. Nelson Mandela and Gracia than the cards! We participated in the Inter-high match on
Machel won our elections and subsequently the international vote.
This year we watched Fahrenheit 911 and Dead Man Walking and had
heated group discussions on various topics, from the death
penalty to AIDS. We were fortunate to have a group of
students visiting from a college in America. We had a
very interesting discussion on human rights in America
and our feelings on human rights in South Africa.
We also held a special Women's Day assembly where
our members read poems which were written by school
students about violence against women. These
poems greatly moved everyone in the hall. We are
also working with the University of Pretoria's Law
Faculty on their campaign for awaiting trial

110PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Clubs and Societies

May at the Pretoria Bridge Club. So far we have been Chess
taking turns with Boys' High for first place, so This has been one legendary
hopefully we will win next year (as we came second year for the chess people. With
this year). a team smaller than half a Citi
We also played the Inter-house bridge matches on Golf we managed to do
6 September. We had forty amazing players and the phenomenally well, treading
houses were placed as follows: brand new ground as we started
1. Connaught winning.
2. Buxton Despite losing Mr de Villiers to
3. Van Zyl the school's computer system
4. Clarendon this year, and achieving almost embarrassing results at the Waterglen
5. Gladstone Shopping Centre Tournament, the Chess Team of 2005 startled
6. Athlone everyone (especially ourselves) by winning. We absolutely
7. McWilliam pulverised both Pietermaritzburg (on their home ground) and
8. Duncan Eunice with only four players.
9. Selborne Cassandra, Anré and Londiwe put considerable effort into making
10. Aitken our team what it is. They bravely went into battle against
dangerous-looking girls, clever-looking girls, and some smelly
We congratulate Connaught on coming first and we boys.
thank all the players for the positive, cheerful spirit These three girls have not only turned the tables completely with
that existed throughout the afternoon! regard to scores, but have also banished any notions of chess
May next year continue to be so fulfilling and ever being boring again. They played amazingly and our new
enjoyable. Wishing you all lots of hearts, diamonds, captain, Cassandra, led Girls' High to further victories.
spades and clubs! Thank you so much for all your time and courage.
Tamzyn Gast, Grade 12
Maria Ferreira, Grade 12

Contact Club
2005 was one of the most eye-opening years for the
Contact Club. We began the year with excitement and
ended it with a bottomless fulfilment, having
experienced the warmth and welcoming of people less
fortunate than us. We visited Abba House for babies,
Lerato and Itumeleng Homes for homeless children,
Care for the Aged Atteridgeville and Genadeplaas, a
shelter for homeless children, families, battered women
and ex convicts. Boys and Girls Town are just a few of
the different organisations we had an opportunity to
visit. We never arrived empty-handed. Either food
parcels, toiletries, items to celebrate a special birthday
or occasions are given to homes or organisations. We
will end the year with a Christmas party for homeless
children and surprise the elderly at Nazareth House
with gifts.
We would like to thank the whole school for their
participation in the jersey drive. Your efforts are deeply
appreciated and many people were kept warm this past
winter. One organisation that stood out this year was
Sparrows Rainbow Village, a shelter for families
affected or infected by HIV/AIDS. Imagine seeing an
innocent little child in a terminal ward! This woke us up
to the importance of caring for people who need our
help. Alma School held their annual Buddy Day and
honoured us with an invitation to participate and they
also paid the rest of the school an informative visit.
Thank you to Contact Club members for their
enthusiasm.

Basetsana Khomo, Grade 12

111PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Clubs and Societies

Debating Club trials for the Gauteng World Schools' Style Debates. Once,
We have had a fantastic society this year and all the members again, Carina Wiechers made the grade and she and Katherine
showed themselves to be committed and enthusiastic. Harding were chosen to participate in the National Finals in
We took part in debates against Eunice and Pietermaritzburg, December.
rising to the challenge admirably. We also took on a number of This has been a fantastic year for debating. The fun, laughter,
teams in the National Girls' Schools Festival in Potchefstroom. successes and disappointments all combined to make 2005 an
Here, we defeated Wynburg in the final and the entire unforgettable year for debating.
competition was a tribute to humour and good cheer.Two of Carina Wiechers, Head of Debating
our girls then went on to pair with two boys from Cultura High
School winning the Gauteng Model United Nations Ecology
Competition. This is an exceptional achievement and Some teachers may be able to use that all too familiar and
sometimes very irritating saying …'back in our day' about the
congratulations go to Katherine Harding Ecology club during their years at Girls' High, but for us it is very
and Tammy-Lynne Niemand. different.
Last, but certainly, not least, we took part Mrs Brown (an Old Girl) started the Ecology Club at the
in the SACEE Debating Competition. beginning of the year with only the fondest memories of all the
We were fortunate enough to receive things they used to do 'back in our day'.
permission to enter two teams and both This year, with boundless energy and enthusiasm we have
did very well, with the A Team winning brought back all that fun and more. We have kept posters up
two of their three debates and the B Team around the school on many ecological topics, made and hung
winning one of their three. This allowed birdfeeders around the gardens, watched many movies and
Katherine Harding the A Team (after defeating King David documentaries while eating popcorn and drinking cold drinks,
Linksfield in an elimination debate) to been to the Botanical Gardens and much more.
progress to the Gauteng Championships. Throughout the year we have also been working on many
Despite not making it as far as we would have hoped in the projects like an aviary, a cleaner and friendlier fishpond in the
competition, our girls still performed well. Katherine Harding, gardens, a vegetable patch at school and planting Arbour Day
Nonkululeko Ngqola and Carina Wiechers were all chosen to go trees around the grounds.
to trials for the Gauteng Team. Our most exciting work in progress, though, is the tour we would
On the last debating weekend (7 – 9 October) the Model United like to have next year.
Nations Team (Katherine Harding and Tammy-Lynne With a year as good as this behind us none of us can wait for next
Niemand) represented the USA with the boys from Cultura year!
High School. Everyone learned a great deal; all had enormous Sarah Teixeira , Grade 12
fun and Katherine Harding was chosen to represent South
Africa in New York in February. Three girls were invited to First Aid
Scratches, bruises, blood and gore,
DEBATERS 2005 was definitely not a bore!
ABSENT: Debby Nixon Seventy-two girls applied to do a course in First Aid,
Back Row (L-R): Esther Sola, Barbara-Anne van Wyk, Nolwazi For a lucky group of twelve the school paid.
Mjwara, Nicole Christie, Tammy-Lynne Niemand, Joanie van den Heever, Five days a week from two to five,
Jennifer-Lee Chalmers We ensured that everyone stayed alive.
MiddleRow (L-R): Katherine Harding, Thato Nkoane, Kinesa We were at all the weekend fixtures,
Tuganadar, Keleigh Ch Zukor, Mandisa Mbele, Mpho Mabule, Nabihah Between all the cheers, chaos and pictures.
Kurrimboccus, Nebula Grimm We'd run around when we heard a girl cry
Front Row (L-R):Micaela Palma, Song Ha Choi, Carina Wiechers, Mrs Some so dramatic they thought they might die.
Cÿrus, Nonkululeka Ngqola, Kelly Davidson, Thandazile Nhlapo I've never heard of death due to a broken nail,
Bruised leg or someone looking pale!
112PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS A few cases were quite serious:
They made on-lookers and parents quite bilious.
We told a girl with a broken arm:
“All will be well just remain calm!”
We learnt that Affies girls are extremely rough;
Esther McGeer looked as if she'd had enough.
In Argentina our services were not needed,
No matter how much we begged and pleaded,
At the televised Aquatics Fest,
The First Aid girls did their best
to solve problems that arose:

Clubs and Societies

From belly flops to a bloody nose. the nearby fire escape! Hopefully nobody requiring silence is
The sporty girls should be at our knees, anywhere near us!
Because we save them from the stinging bees. We have been fortunate this year to have a kind volunteer mom,
Through the year, our kindness and compassion shone, Mrs Margie Godfrey, to help Mrs van Wyk teach beginners to
And our memories will never be gone. knit. Her expertise, enthusiasm and assistance are much
All our thanks to Ms Fourie, appreciated and have certainly played a major role in maintaining
Who encouraged us to be there for all to see. Mrs van Wyk's sanity!
Thanks to all the girls who supported me in my year as Head. Beginners soon learn to knit and start with the inevitable
Remember that: 'life is like a game of tennis; the player who squares, which this year helped to produce two lovely warm,
serves well seldom loses'. Your work done is always noticed and colourful blankets for the needy. More advanced knitters have
forever appreciated. also made scarves, bags, caps, toys and jerseys.
Bianca Fernandes, Grade 12 Knitting Club members kill three birds with one stone every
week. They meet friends for a chat, get games card signatures
House Tutoring Programme and actually have the satisfaction of mastering a creative skill to
The House Tutoring Programme began in 2002 when an use and enjoy for the rest of their lives.
increasing number of Grade 8 learners were identified as having Mrs L van Wyk
gaps in their academic background. With a new form that
records the tutee's progress over the period of one week, we In the Limelight
were up and running early and so began the new year. Most of 'Words are so innocent and powerless as they stand in a dictionary, but how
the Grade 8s showed much enthusiasm to improve their mark potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to
averages in all their subjects.
We started the year with few tutors, but the number increased, limelightcombinethem.' NathanielHawthorne
replacing the matrics who had left in 2004. Our tutors met all
challenges thrown at them and came up trumps. We have a very This year's team of enthusiastic newspaper reporters was
dedicated group of tutors who sacrifice their time to help those determined to transform PHSG with words as indeed it has.
in need of extra lessons. Afternoon after afternoon, girls The number of reporters grew from twelve to thirty-seven and
gathered in groups of two or three and spent up to an hour their ideas, coupled with their dynamic attitudes and
making sure all work was understood. personalities, have meant that the articles have been even more
I would like to thank Ms Turpin and Mrs K du Toit for their hard challenging, original and thought-provoking than ever. In the
work in making sure everything ran smoothly. I thank all Limelight has also evolved to include a matric page, a poetry
involved for their kindness, patience and selflessness! page, a section for reviews and entertainment and a page entirely
Nkabaneng Selepe, Grade 12 devoted to sports.
As long as the written word remains a potent force for change in
Knitting the world, the newspaper team will continue to provide PHSG
Knitting Club – a few boring 'grannies' sitting in neat, silent with a publication that serves as a forum for debate, that serves
rows concentrating on their knitting patterns? No ways! This to inform, and, above all, that entertains … after all, he who
club has become so popular that Room 65 on a Thursday laughs, lasts.
afternoon overflows onto the corridor outside and even into Ingrid Cloete, Grade 12

Library
We have enjoyed a productive year in our PHSG library. Not
only was the collection expanded with new books continually,
but the learners borrowed books and did research from our
information sources on a daily basis! The newspapers and
magazines to which we subscribe have also been popular reading
material with which the girls stay informed. Many projects were
completed with the help of our printing, photocopying
and laminating facilities.
It is traditional that the
PHSG library awards the
top readers of the year
with a book voucher
each, and this year our
winners were Justine
Darkey, Nana Nunoo

113PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Clubs and Societies

and Ana Briones. They know that reading is a privilege and a keep the museum going and maintain the responsibility that
pleasure. came with the task. Wishing you all the best for the future.
Thank you to the friendly librarians who are always on hand to Finally, to Ms Milne, thank you a thousand times. Without
assist the learners with book issues and returns and for keeping you, the museum would not be where it is today.
the service running smoothly in the library. Kopana Mogase , Grade 12
Mrs A Muller, Librarian
Peer Counsellors
Museum The year 2005 has proved to be a success for the peer
As another year draws to an end, we at the Museum Club look counsellors. The year started off with an introduction to the
back with pride on our achievements. We have managed to Grade 8s. New aspects were introduced to the system with
acquire new members who have brought a re-awakening to the counsellors being allocated to specific Grade 8 classes. The
museum. With hard work, sweat and tears we have emptied yet monthly Friday meetings continued throughout the year.
another cupboard. Under Ms Milne's guidance we have filed Activities such as role play, different counselling situations
most of the photographs and started reorganising our systems helping prepare all of us for any possible situations with which
of storage and displays. Our next challenge is the Annual Old we might be faced with, all took place. The counsellors all
Girls' Reunion and we hope that it is a memorable occasion for bonded while creating and painting our peer counsellors board
the Old Girls attending as we showcase our hard work and their which is regularly updated. The counsellors were made more
memories. visible to the entire school through a humorous skit which we
We would like to thank all the staff members who have helped presented during assembly. Two counsellors, Jessica
with information. This has really made our work load lighter Cheesman and Chanté Southwood, attended a provincial
and easier. Without you, our clean-out drive would not have AIDS conference which provided a lot of insight on an
been a success. To Ms Milne's 'little minions': without you, your important issue. A most memorable part of the year was
hard work and dedication we would not have been able to keep being spoken to by the team from Pro-care and our own
the museum going. Without you, I would not have managed to psychologist, Voula Samouris; we all gained invaluable
knowledge.
All in all, the year was interesting and worthwhile under the
leadership of Mrs Godfrey, Jessica Cheesman, Ina
Gueorguieva and Vanessa Ruhlig .
Jessica Cheesman , Grade 12

Peer Tutor Club
The tutor programme has been a challenge this term. We
started a new and very successful system which was initiated by
one of our tutors, Maryke Mostert. All the tutor documents
had to be updated for this system to work efficiently! A special
thanks to Maryke who made sure that the system ran smoothly.
Ms Turpin made her storeroom available to us in order to
collect exam papers for the different subjects in the different
grades. These papers will now be available to assist the tutors
during tutoring sessions in the future.
Tutor training will be taking place next term as all the Grade 12
tutors will be leaving and need to be replaced. We would like to
thank all the Grade 12 tutors for all their hard work and
dedication over the years! We would also like to wish the
Grade 12s the best of luck with their final exams!
Thank you to the executive members and to the TLC members
of 2005 for working so well together! Your hard work is
greatly appreciated!
We would like to congratulate Debby Nixon on becoming the
new Tutor Head and Vice Head Girl of the school! We wish
her and the new executive members the best of luck in 2006!

Jolene Jennings, Grade 12

These documents were discovered in the school organ
during restorations.

114PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Clubs and Societies

Photography Sculpture
This year has been a busy one. From the beginning we have had Sculpture Club started off small this year but word soon got around
very enthusiastic members. Our seniors did a tantalizing food of the fun the members were having. By the second term the
project which left us with our mouths watering from the Sculpture Club was swamped by eager, creative souls who all wanted
absolutely amazing photographs that were taken. We started to 'make something' with their hands.
with a new and very excited group of juniors who were always We all learnt how to make moulds of our hands from algenate. These
willing to learn. It is a wonderful experience knowing that you were cast in plaster of Paris and soon all the members were the proud
have created your own masterpiece, just waiting and watching owners of an extra hand. The hands were decorated and mounted
your photo reveal itself after what feels like hours of on a variety of bases. If you happen to see a few spare hands floating
anticipation. We are all looking forward to the new year where around the school, don't be alarmed they're only replicas!
we can once again let our imaginations run wild in the ever Next on the agenda were Henry Moore-type figures from clay that
welcoming 'twilight zone'. Our biggest thank you needs to go were fired, painted and varnished. At the moment we are learning to
to Mrs Swanepoel for being so patient and supportive. Our make mosaic panels from pieces of mirror and tiles in a variety of
members are extremely talented and we look forward to colours and patterns.
discovering the rest of the hidden talents. Put on your overall and join in the somewhat messy (but definitely
Melissa Fisher, Grade 11 creative) fun!
Amy Harris Grade 11
Pottery
This year the Pottery Club again overflowed with members, as Body-cast being prepared on Amor-Rita
old ceramists rejoined, and new, enthusiastic girls were
welcomed. Student Christian Association
The Grade 8s were assigned set projects which taught them the This year the SCA was a blessing to all those who attended.
necessary basic techniques. We grew tremendously and are grateful for the amount of
The first set project was a pinch pot. This taught the girls support received from this year's Grade 8s and 9s. The SCA
techniques such as wedging and paddling. These pots had to be is going from strength to strength and we foresee great
decorated, painted and glazed. things for 2006. Under the enthusiastic leadership of
We progressed to decorative name plates using slabs, carved Esther McGeer, our Head for 2005, we saw an increase in
and burnished masks and later, moulds and casting slip. numbers and interest in the SCA. We are thankful to her
The highlight of pottery is always learning to use the wheel, as and our Deputy Head, Mpumi Dammie, for their hard
many, many attempts are made to centre the clay. Mud men work, effort and guidance throughout the year. The SCA
(oddly resembling the club members themselves) parade continues to be a place of fellowship and spiritual growth.
The camp was fantastic this year and we had a huge turnout,
around the pottery studio in brown (formerly green) thanks to our avid Grade 9 SCA-goers. Other events, such
dresses. as coffee bars were also successful and eagerly attended.
Nevertheless, the girls' creative Of course, we must attribute many of our successes to Mrs
imaginations truly show when they are Harbour, our friend and teacher, who gently guides us and is
allowed to produce their own always there for us. We are confident that God was glorified
creations. by the SCA this year and will be in the years to come.
A big thank you must go to all Deney van Rooyen , Grade 11
involved in the Pottery Club.
Hope to have you all back in 2006! 115PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS
Melinda Nel , Grade 11

Clubs and Societies

Student Inter-Cultural Club Theatre
2005 was a very busy year for the Student Inter- 'Unlike a plant that gives only one variety of fruit, the creative
Cultural Club. We had two big events that kept imagination produces fresh growth in every shape and colour.'
us busy for the entire year. This year has marked a very successful merger with our brother
Our first was the successful fashion show (a school, Boys' High, and an immense growth in creative thinking.
sell out) which was held on Friday 15 April. Not only were we exposed to other aspiring, equally enthusiastic
The models were professional, thanks to the actors, but also to the expertise of passionate and extremely
many hours of practice under the leadership talented teachers: Ms van Zyl from PBHS and our Ms
of Thabile Mbuli. The dancers stole the Donaldson. They have truly been a great help in assisting us in
show with their traditional and perfect reaching our full potential as performers and encouraging our
moves. Clearly, by the overwhelming self-confidence (despite the fact that we often felt as though we
applause the show was enjoyed by all who were being put on the spot).
attended. The first half of the show We were exposed to various dramatic techniques: from various
depicted the African dress and the stage exercises, improvisations, group dramas and the idea of a
models wore stunning outfits from Passion Play to monologues. All the world has truly been a
traditional Venda dresses to the modern stage!
African styles that are more the fashion of Despite the tremendous success of the past two terms, we have
today. During interval, the audience got to decided to return to our initial All Girls' group for a short spell.
sample some tasty African, Italian, Indian and We will, however, definitely make use of the skills learnt in
even Syrian foods. During the second half the
exotic eastern outfits were modelled. We were conjunction with those from across the railway line.
entertained with elegant Spanish, Indian and Itumeleng Kgafela, Grade 11

tintilating Walk for Life
belly As the year began, we were not expecting many people as
dancing, Walk for Life is not a very popular activity. However, we
talented were surprised to have a group of approximately sixteen
break-dancing and eager young walkers. We were even more surprised when, as the
traditional Gumboot weeks increased, the numbers of the walkers grew. The
dancers, House, Kwaito community of Walk for Life is lovely as it is filled with girls who
and Hip-Hop dancing. enjoy walking, talking, sharing ideas and helping one another. The
Our second event was the routes we took were beautiful and educational. The group walked
Spring Fair Cultural Show to the Pretoria Art Museum on one of our routes. On other days
which was a show full of we would walk in the opposite direction past the many embassies in
entertainment from a Pretoria. As time went by our walking team managed to increase
variety of cultures. We saw the slick moves from the hip-hop speed and we were able to walk further in an afternoon. This is an
dancers, South African flavoured Kwaito dances to the exotic activity which is fantastic for non-competitive people. Our team
Indian dances and listened to the beautiful sounds of Sepedi and has been growing immensely through the year and we are excited
Portuguese songs. A surprise guest artist, Morafe, completed for the year that lies ahead of us!
the show on a very good note. Jenny Williams , Grade 11
2005 was definitely a year to be remembered and 2006 will
hopefully bring more great memories. Yoga
Mmapitso Moropa and Motshabi Mphahlele, Grade 11 It has been a pleasure to have been part of the Yoga Club since
Grade 10. I have seen how this club has grown, currently including
116PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS juniors and seniors.
We practise Hatha Yoga and although called 'Beginner's Yoga', we
have learnt a variety of postures. Each class starts with pranayama
(breathing exercises), which helps us clear out all old, stale air from
the lungs. We then move on to the asanas (postures) which are
performed very slowly and carefully, each of us only going as far as
is comfortable. We hold the positions in a contemplative state,
quietly and focussed e.g. cobra, locust, twisting posture, Yoga
muden, the tree and many more. We end each class with
meditation and finally the 'corpse'. When class is over, we all feel
relaxed, de-stressed and rejuvenated. Yoga is a must in this very
busy school of ours.
Sarah Jean Wills , Grade 12

Viewpoint English

English
Creative Writing

Don t Stay away It all happened the previous night. Señorita Isabellita sat
Have you ever wondered what's going on in the minds perched upright at her window, waiting for her lover. She
teenagers? Are they happy? Are they sad? Or are they peered west and noticed a cloud of dust. He was coming.
insecure? Well broaden your horizon and listen to what I There he sat outside on his powerful, white mare and began
have to say. to serenade her. He sang about her flowing black hair, and
The teenage mind works in a most peculiar way. I recently her olive skin. About her brown, indulgent eyes, speckled
read an article about scientists trying to discover the ways with frosts of green. Soon it was time to bid each other
in which teenage minds process information, and the farewell but they were being watched by Little Luis.
result was that even though we'd like to think we know Little Luis was a servant at Señorita Isabelitta's and her
everything, compared to an adult, we don't. For example, father, Señor Garcia's, inn. He had a secret. He was
a picture was shown to a teenage child and her parent and passionately in love with Señorita Isabelitta. He knew she
while the parent saw the picture as being one of a scared, would never love someone as ugly as him, with his mouldy,
insecure child, the teenager interpreted the picture as brown hair and pale, grey eyes. He was also very jealous and
being an angry adult screaming at a child. And the result? decided to go to Señor Mexican Pete, the mayor, and tell
The parent, of course, was correct. him to come and arrest this bandit.
Another thing about being a teenager is that you discover The next day. Señorita Isabelitta was up at dawn waiting for
parts of your body which used to be of a 'normal' size that her lover. He was so handsome, she thought to herself,
then have all of a sudden grown an excess amount during with his long mustachios and eyes as green as the desert
the holidays. That, plus your mother being on your case cactus. There was always a sombrero perched on his head
about your weight all the time, can lead to a bit of and he wore beautiful, black boots.
insecurity, and in the worst cases, depression. And even He did not come that dawn, or that noon but as the sun was
though, at the very back of our minds, we know our winking behind the barren hills, someone else came. Señor
mothers know what's best for us, we still think the Mexican Pete and his soldiers. They barged into the inn,
problem should be dealt with in much more subtle ways, scared away Señor Garcia and bound Señorita Isabelitta to
like slipping a 'Slim Slab' in our lunch box every so often. her bedpost, facing the window, so that she could watch her
Besides all the other points I've made, you don't seem to lover's last breaths in torment. They would shoot him
get along with the folks as well as you used to, when that down like a bull when he would come to serenade her
flavoured lolli you got was much more important than the outside her window. They tied a gun to her, pointing at her
outfit you wore. heart, so that she would not try to escape. They drank the
You're more irritated by what your parents say (probably inn's best wine and jeered at her.
because you've been listening to them say the same things She struggled for many minutes and came to a conclusion
over and over again for the years that you've lived with that she could not escape, but would rather die saving her
them, which co-incidentally happens to be your whole love. She wriggled one finger free and laid it on the trigger.
life). She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, knowing
So parents don't stay away, sit us down and listen to what soon it would stop. Then she heard it, the tlot, tlot of Señor
WE have to say, for a change, then express your feelings Don Francisco's mare's hooves. She pulled the trigger and
and difficulties to us, so we can understand what we're fell to a lump on the floor.
putting you through, and maybe just maybe, things will go Señor Don Francisco heard the noise and so did his mare.
back to the way it used to be! It bucked and they galloped away westward. What was that
noise he had heard? The wind was soon to answer his
Xi-Xi Li Grade 8 question, “It was your love, Señorita Isabelitta; she died
saving you!”
The man with cactus eyes “No! It cannot be, I must go back!” he cried piteously to
The sky mourned that day and it wept soundlessly for the the gentle wind.
death of Señor Don Francisco and Señorita Isabellita. So he rode and rode across the barren land and saw the
Their love was forbidden but their souls could not rest shadow of an owl, seeming to cheer him on.
until they were lying in each other's arms. As he arrived at Señorita's inn, he crept silently through the

117PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint English

back garden and pricked himself on a vicious rose's With all the thanks in the world
thorn. In Mexico that meant bad luck. He sighed and Jerusha Abbott
slipped through the back door. He could hear voices in
the kitchen and slowly made his way up the stairs to Kutlwano Radebe Grade 8
Señorita Isabelitta's bedroom. There she was, draped
helplessly in a bundle of red and black. His hatred for
Señor Mexican Pete and his soldiers was so overwhelming
that he shouted out in anger. He knelt down and lay in
Señorita Isabelitta's arms and caressed her hair. The
soldiers came in and shot him.
But now their souls could rest, because they were finally
lying in each other's arms.

Mariska Grimbeek Grade 8

The Oak Tree Henzie Healley Gr 11
Still he stands there unmoved and old
standing there brave and bold Pop!
bearing no clothes at all
he stands strong and tall The sun catches the beginning of the
he has no care for what others think shimmering sphere as it slowly emerges
mouth all twisted and his feet still sinking from its circular prison causing sparkling
his eyes are crying and sad today colours to burst from somewhere deep
his arms stretched out wide as if to pray inside of it.
he is like a soldier with nowhere to hide The breeze catches it and twirls it across
so he stands and fights and fights with pride the crisp, green grass of the garden.
As for the rain – she won't come It floats gently past my face, barely a
and as for him – he can't run breath upon my cheek.
Yet the Sun-Queen still laughs and beats down Making not a sound it drifts with the wind
Not caring for him or his frown. up, up towards its vast indigo freedom.
Carmen-Kaye Lambrechs Grade 8 It vanishes amongst the soft clouds
littering the sky.
75 Glenmore Road And then, suddenly, it will all end
Lynnwood Glen 'Pop'
0181 The magic that enchanted us will abruptly
2 December 1921 dissolve.
Leaving us with only a memory …
Dear Mrs Lippett Nikita Zietsman Grade 9

I'm sitting in my bed writing this letter. I am surrounded The wonders of man
by a sea of tissues. Yes, I have been crying. I no longer I sat in the middle row, minding my own business and
dislike you, actually quite the opposite. This may sound listening to my maths teacher explaining how to solve an
strange coming from me but I have just realised how lucky equation. As she was doing so she suddenly paused, took
I am. a breath and stared at the class. She opened her mouth in
I have just been reading the newspaper. A baby of about the most peculiar manner and said, “Come try this sum,
two months was found near the entrance of a hospital.
They suspect the baby was thrown into the bushes by the
mother after giving birth inside that hospital. Can you
believe the cruelty of some people?
You may be asking yourself why I am giving you an
update on the world news. But this has everything to do
with you. I could've been that child or part of the millions
out there who are homeless. But I am not. All thanks to
you. The world needs more people like you.
For you, running the asylum is not about making lots of
money but more about making lots of children feel loved
and cared for. And I know that in the past I did not show
much appreciation, but I think I owe my life to you. I will
be eternally grateful for everything you have done for me.

118PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint English

Simonn.” What was I to do? It was so complex I didn't Now, my dear school, St Anne's Diocese for Young Ladies,
know where to start! After gazing at the sum for is one of these old monasteries that had been converted
sometime, ever so puzzled, I picked up a piece of chalk. into a learning facility and is ridiculously big for a student
Miraculously, I had found the value of x . population of five-hundred girls. The chance of a person
That evening I lay on my bed in deep thought. What had getting to the bathroom in time, not falling and breaking
happened that day? How could I have managed to solve one's neck on one of the many staircases and not getting
that equation? How is it that mankind is capable of doing told off by some teacher for running in the corridor, is ten
such extraordinary things? to one. Well, I ran like mad anyway.
We are brought into this world incapable of speaking or By some lucky chance nothing happened to me while I was
even caring for ourselves. By the time we reach primary on my way to the bathroom but perhaps life was being kind
school we are taught our A, B, C's and 1, 2, 3's; what one to me before events took a turn for the worst. I charged
plus one is, and who our family is. For every year that through the bathroom door, rushed into a cubicle and
passes we acquire more knowledge and understanding of sighed a small breath of relief. I wish now I had been quiet
life. We eventually find an area of life in which we instead of humming softly to myself as I sat on the
specialise and we commit the rest of our lives to it. We lavatory seat and 'spent a penny'. Perhaps I might've heard
possibly get married and have children. someone close the door of the bathroom, turn the key in
The beauty of life and all that it consists of is often the lock and walk away, not actually realising that they'd
ignored. The wonderful ways of the human body and its just locked a poor little paw-paw, who was still using the
precision still amazes all. toilet and minding her own business, inside.
Mankind has achieved so much, from the very first If I ever do catch that person I hope, for her own sake, that
caveman, whose inquisitive mind led to the discovery of she has life insurance. I think that there might have been
the wheel, to the great scientists and mathematicians who some person fifty kilometres away who didn't hear me
have mastered the art of cloning. screaming like a banshee and pounding my fists on the
Where will it stop? What will mankind achieve next? Are back of the junior's bathroom door. I yelled and shouted,
we possibly exploiting our skills, our talents and our screeched and whistled at the top of my voice but nobody
ability to think for ourselves? Have we lost all simplicity heard me!
in life? What is our purpose on earth? After what seemed like a million hours later, when my
The answers to the most challenging questions we face voice sounded like fingernails being scraped on a black
will not be answered in this lifetime. It is up to each one board, I turned and slumped against the door in
of us to discover our worth in life and to realise that each exhaustion. I really wanted to cry but I told myself that if I
of us is an individual. did, there would soon be a mini flash flood.
I sighed miserably. The day was Thursday and the next day
Simonn Seegers Grade 9 was a public holiday! I was going to rot away in this filthy
place for four days! Nobody was going to find me until
The Story of My Life Monday and to top it off my parents would probably think
I have to admit that before I got myself stuck in this huge that I'd gone to a friend's house! No one was going to
mess, I believed that the worst thing that could happen to worry about me being stuck in this dungeon from hell. I
a person in this world was getting caught wearing pink could practically imagine the inscription on my gravestone:
Barbie Doll knickers. But you do not know what is bad Chelsea Copper, beloved daughter, friend and family
until you have been through what I went through one member who found rest in the pungent domain of St
rainy day, a few hours after school had ended and I was Anne's junior lavatory, R.I.P (Rot in Pain).
sitting in my school's homework room doing my I stood up and looked around for possible ways out of this
homework for that day. place. I guessed that I could take a) a slide clip out of my
I was just about to pack away my completed French hair and try to pick the lock of the door, b) stand on the
homework when I realised that I had an enormous toilet and somehow try to get through that ventilation
amount of pressure in the nether regions of my body and shaft on the wall c) flush myself down the toilet and end up
instinct started buzzing that a good idea would be to in the sewers, or d) climb through one of those small
relieve it. windows above the changing bench. I went for a) first
I stuck my hand into the air and wriggled it a bit for the because it was the easiest of the four. I pulled out one of
supervising teacher to notice. She looked up and stared the black clips in my hair, moved over to the brown
very sternly over the rim of her tiny spectacles at me. bathroom door and inserted the thin hairpiece into the
Honestly, she looked as if she was Fiona from that lock. I shifted and wriggled it about very slowly, then soon
television show, The Weakest Link. got frustrated and shoved it around until … SNAP … it
I smiled at her weakly and then cleared my throat and broke! I cursed the stupid lock and threatened the door
asked, “Ma'am, may I please be excused to go to the with the biggest chainsaw I could find as soon as I got out.
bathroom?” I decided to try the next option. I moved over to the toilet
The teacher nodded her head and watched me as I stood and climbed on, stretching my fingers up to the latch of the
up and walked out the door. As soon as I was a few paces ventilation shaft. Darn! I was either too short or the shaft
away from the classroom, I broke into a run and sprinted was too high. I didn't even consider going for option c)
for the junior's bathrooms. because that was just plain ridiculous. So it was option d)

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or nothing! I jumped onto the wooden changing bench skull.
that was opposite the cubicles and attached to the wall. As if the house could finally breathe again, a rushing wind
I unlatched the window that was above me with shaking blew open all the windows to let the warm sun's rays fall on
fingers and prepared myself to climb through. I stood Claudia's face. The truth had finally revealed itself and now
tiptoe and pushed my arms out, pressing them against the aunt Grace could rest in peace.
outside wall and hauling my body up with them. So far, so The next morning Claudia went back to the tower to find
good. I wriggled my chest through first and then my that the room had returned. She put her diary back on the
stomach which was luckily quite flat and then I started old desk in the light and closed the door.
shifting my backside through next. Cara Loubser Grade 9
“Oh hell, o double murder and heaven too!” I moaned.
My big fat bottom was stuck! It was wedged into the rusty Poem of Smells
blue window frame leaving half of me hanging out of the Sunday smells of hazy churches,
bathroom and the other half still stuck inside! I knew I and sizzling, crackling morning food.
should never have eaten that chocolate bar from the Monday smells of grumpy tiredness,
vending machine that morning! of big school lunches with lots of biscuits.
So I was then stuck in this totally embarrassing Tuesday smells of stressed-out people,
predicament and I would continue to hang here like some lots of homework and afternoon tea.
weird flag, flapping around for someone to help me until Wednesday smells of hot pies and potato chips,
a person found me early on Monday morning. I was just of freshly cut lawns and fired pottery.
about to start crying when a weird tinkling sound started Thursday smells of French bread,
ringing in the top pocket of my shirt. I nearly started tomato sauce and greasy fingers.
screaming. All this time my cellphone had been in my top Friday smells of happiness,
pocket! stale classrooms and unwashed clothing.
Saturday smells of laziness,
Catherine Rogers Grade 9 melting chocolate and the laughter of friends.
And then it's Sunday once more.
The Missing Room The smell of incense and Monday coming again…
She hit the floor with a thud and opened her eyes to find Catherine Rogers Grade 9
complete darkness. She knew exactly where she was for
her grandfather had told her many tales of this room, the You said
missing room. The thin ray of sunlight that sneaks through the gap in his
The house was built in 1713 as a wedding gift from a rich dusty curtains falls across his face and he is awoken. His
merchant's family. It was beautiful in its enormousness. frail hands feel for his glasses on his bedside table; they find
A year after its completion a tragedy befell the grounds them quickly. He dresses in his mundane work clothes and
for the mistress of the house was found dead in the top- begins his walk to work. His aged yet well kept brown pants
most bell tower. The day after the accident the room and coat protect him from the wind's steely fingers that try
disappeared. Many tried to enter but just walked straight to grip any exposed skin. He ducks his head to shelter his
into what seemed a solid wall. Some say when the face and lets his well-worn black lace-ups lead the way.
mistress died the house wanted to forget the tragedy so it As usual, many friendly greetings come his way at the
erased the memory by erasing the room. fishery and he readily returns them. The usual fishing boat
Claudia groped around the room to find the curtains. As is bobbing patiently at the docks waiting for her able
she pulled them open she saw that the whole room was seamen. He smiles at her, Josephine. After a quick visit to
filled with her aunt Grace's possessions that were never the storage room to collect his nets, he clambers onto the
found. The one thing that caught her eye was the dusty boat and sets out.
diary lying in the light. As she opened it the pages cracked Sunset looms as he approaches the docks once more, boat
and spat dust all over her. laden with fish. His grey hair is windswept and stands on
She flipped it to the last entry and saw that it was end. His fellow fishermen laugh. 'Mad-Scientist, John,'
yesterday's date. Someone had been writing in it. The they always call him. A smile is his only reply.
white pages were streaming with words. “April 3 1714, He accepts his meagre wages and begins the walk home.
April 3 1714 …” So she paged to April 3 and there she On reaching the 'Charity Donation Box', he places half his
read the shocking truth about her aunt Grace's murder. wages in it. 'Always ready to give' she had said. He
Jason, the stable boy had poisoned her because she continues on his way.
refused to let her daughter marry him. He pushes open the door of his single room dwelling and
Her grandfather was reading a book in the library when enters. Reaching under his bed, he retrieves what appears to
she jolted up the stairs with the diary in her hands. He be a small photo. He returns to the pier.
couldn't believe it, for her death certificate stated that she Lowering himself carefully onto a bench, he looks at the
had committed suicide. photo: A happy, smiling couple captioned: 'John and
They checked the old staff records and sure enough, Josephine happily married 1975'.
there in a bold writing stood Jason's name. He died a
week later when a brick landed on his head splitting his

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Héloïse Haupt Gr 12

Tears well up in his eyes and through choked breath he And now, finally, some connection is made between the
whispers: “You said that life is unfair; it's not. You said striking old man, the strong, bony hands of the artist
that giving gets you nothing; it doesn't. You said that I swordsman's hands, really, but with a more careworn look
would always suffer greatly; I don't. You said that words about them and the eyes from which no tears will fall.
don't matter; they do. You said that I would never be alone Some knowledge of the vivid soul, moving slowly with the
because you would never leave me; I am and you did.” grace of something liquid, clear as water, becomes
His words are snatched away by the wind and blown out to apparent. A viewer would now see the single person sitting
sea. He allows his tears to fall gently into his lap where no- in an armchair in this clean, comforting room, filled with
one can see them. the richness of soft fabric and the glow of dark mahogany.
A faint whispering of sorrow can be heard as the sky A more observant viewer, the proverbial more observant
darkens and night descends heavily. viewer, might realise something of the turmoil, in that
Rosemary Blersch Grade 10 man's mind. His indefinable sense of repulsion towards
the dark wood, as if he wants to see it somewhere else.
Chapter One What he truly desires is for flowers to touch it, for him, to
He looks up from the book of his sub-conscious. spare it the caress of his hands. And he wishes to then see
Memories crowd round him like grasping tendrils of fog. these flowers burn, making this wood something different,
They whisper excitedly, waiting for a tear to drink or an more unearthly, less like the large unusually shaped box, in
expression to devour. Every thought strengthens them. that cold room, half-open …
And yet, like all agonising things, they are oddly And now comes the racking sob, the overwhelming
dissociated. He dispels them with a quick upwards bitterness, the knowledge of something hateful. There is
movement of his hand. unbearable suspense, until the jagged, crystallised tears
The blazing eyes belie the artist's hands. They have the crack.
look of something wounded, and yet cannot inspire pity in Shatter.
the hearts of the mediocre; rather a sort of ache begins to Barbara-Anne van Wyk Grade 10
numb. The colour of these eyes seems to consist of
crystallised tears, their jagged surface preventing the fall You said
of any others, for there can never be more tears. I remember our fight. Our last fight ever.
One bitter twist of the mouth signifies this: there may be We were both screaming to be heard over each other's
the occasional anguished sob, but no one will ever read the shouting. I don't know why, neither of us was listening
pages upon which his tears fall. anyway.

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pie'. Except there were no more than twelve or thirteen
people at your funeral. You never were good at making
friends.

Marita de Waal Grade 10

Héloïse Haupt Gr 12 Character sketch
Wilbur Ayres, being a rather pompous man himself,
However, the fight stopped abruptly, and your entire body considered the stranger a very arrogant and irritating
convulsed in a fit of coughing that seemed never to stop. fellow. He found the man's voice rather too steady, and
Your face was a gargoyle of pain. disliked the way he seemed to stop before he did anything,
You said you would get better. You said it was just a cold, as if to evaluate whether it was really worth doing. His
but nothing you said could take the stains of lung-blood favourite and final argument whenever he spoke about
and phlegm out of your pure white handkerchief. David Wilde (which was what the stranger called himself)
Nothing you said would take the soft-voiced quietly- was that the man had no accent. 'Seems to think he doesn't
shuffling nurses away, or the vultures (pretending to be come from anywhere, doesn't owe anyone anything' was
there to comfort the family, but merely enjoying the his preferred comment on the whole affair. He definitely
spectacle) all dressed in black. They behaved as though disapproved of his wife's opinion that the stranger, always
you were already dead. seemed to be hiding the fact that he was terrified, of what
If I close my eyes, among the pin-points of light on the she didn't know.
inside of my eyelids, I see you lying between those white Melinda Ayres did indeed worry about David Wilde. The
sheets, as pale as a bride's-garb. The cold of the grave was way he always seemed hesitant to do or say anything, and
already crawling furtively into your veins. the fact that he never revealed much about where he had
You said we would move away from this place of smog come from, suggested to her that he was hiding from
and foul-smelling rain. We would go somewhere warmer. someone or something. She was something of a romantic,
Maybe, if you had kept your word, you would still be here. and imagined that he had been a criminal and was on the
Maybe. run. Her suspicions were heightened by the fact that he
They said you went quietly in your sleep. I say you had a habit of almost inspecting everything he saw. He did
probably coughed your soul out with the last scrap of not do this in an obvious way, indeed, it was hardly
lung. Maybe you're haunting your handkerchief. noticeable. His eyes did not flick around nervously; he
I still have it. I kept it with me, as the vultures and I simply gazed levelly at some object and started to appear
weaved our way through the streets to the cemetery. slightly out of touch with reality.
Everyone was following the example set by the vultures. All this, however, was not to say that Melinda Ayres did not
People dressed in black, were sitting in equally dark cars, like David Wilde: He was always polite, and always
like burnt pies stuffed with ravens. seemed too fragile to be angry with. Another important
The white of the pure dying was supplanted by the black factor was that her daughter Alice had been much happier
of despoiled death. since she had cultivated a slight friendship with the
I gave a wry smile, 'four and twenty blackbirds baked in a stranger.
Alice Ayres was more impressed by the stranger's looks
122PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS and attitude than anything: She had at first admired his
clothing; as it looked so much more expensive that hers.
The long dark brown coat, white shirt and soft brown
leather belt always looked clean and new. His black
trousers of rough fabric were very well made. His hat was
similarly well-crafted and yet seemed strangely well-worn
when compared to the rest of his clothes. The man
himself seemed incredibly tall to little Alice, who was only
ten. His black hair and lightly tanned skin, as well as the
languid movement of his thin frame also awed her slightly.
He never fussed, which was unusual in the little country
village that was her home. However, he was her friend, in a
sense at least, and that was really what mattered to a lonely
child living in such a sad place.
The stranger himself, was less concerned with what
anyone thought of him than with the hole in his boot. He
needed to get it mended soon, as he would be travelling.
He had been David Wilde for too long, and speculation
and gossip about him would soon turn to certainties. He
could never stay anywhere for too long, because then the
gossip would grow, and people would notice the one

Viewpoint English

feature that had made them wonder about him. They because she has no choice. She is a woman, a pregnant,
would notice the dark blue eyes that had too much light illiterate black woman. What are her chances of survival
and too little warmth, and they would miss that one spark in a cruel numb world? Though she does have something
of happiness that gives us all something akin to hope. And millions do not. She has her heritage, her roots anchor
fear of him would develop, and grow into a monster. firmly in the moist, mineral-filled African soil. She has a
Jason Wilde turned away from his solitary spot on a hill, home and hope for a better future for her children, for all
and walked away. children of Africa.
I am a child of Africa and have shared some moments I
Barbara-Anne van Wyk Grade 10 have experienced in the gold and platinum filled land, our
country, South Africa. There is good and bad no matter
Our Land South Africa where we are. Drugs, poverty and crime are always with us
The beating of the drum is in synchrony with my heart. and so are the good times. The wild dancing of a Cape
The rays of the sun penetrate my warm, tingling skin. I am Coon, the swaying of over-filled taxis, a traditional Zulu
free and I am proud. Here everything comes to life. This warrior dance, the click on a Xhosa's tongue, family braais,
is my home, this is my land. This is … my Africa. boerewors, bunny chow and the unity we all share being
As darkness ushers in a galaxy of stars, the rhythm in South Africans. These “lekker” things are part of our
Johannesburg and Pretoria changes from a sedate mood to heritage and culture. They give us our identity and make
one of a flutter of bright multi-coloured lights and glitter us proud to be who we are.
matched by rhythmic music and gyrating bodies dancing When you are in the underground tube in London and
to the rhythm of the Anglo African beat. The world class recognise that strong, loveable Cape accent, you go crazy
shopping malls and exotic restaurants are a buzz. Parties hugging or shaking hands with a complete stranger,
continue well into the night, but in the high-rise buildings discussing where they come from and how much you both
of our cities the cocaine-sniffing groups gather in their miss home. Nobody else on the tube and in the world
private digs and sniff their way to lose themselves in the understands why your eyes brighten at the sight of this
euphoria and mind-blowing Milky Way. stranger, but we do know. Our hearts are linked by
The name of Robben Island once conjured up images of something more amazing than any underground transport
human suffering, desolation and death. Today it stands or advanced Microsoft computer software. What brings
proudly as a triumph of good over evil, truth over us together is the powerful unity we share now, finally after
falsehood, justice over injustice, beauty over decay, years of struggling. What ties us together are our roots in
freedom over bondage. Once it was an island in chains, the rich African soil. What makes our heart pump faster is
now it is an island of hope. the rhythmic sound of the African beat and what makes
There is nothing like the sound of the Coons singing and our skin tingle with a unique sensation is the hot African
dancing through the streets of Cape Town. The city is sun. I am a child of this rainbow nation; I wake up free
alive and excited, ready to join in when the moment arises. with new hope and determination.
Their colourful costumes and energy bring a smile to every As the rays of the sun rise beyond the horizon and begin
abandoned face. In that moment when one loses oneself, penetrating mother earth with rays of growth, life and
no crime, pain or injustice exists, only rich culture. green heritage. Let is be known that only in recognising
The smell of hot, tasty curry fills the streets of Durban. the evil and negatives in our society and realising the
The taxis sway to the sound of the once overly popular beauty and positive future our country hold can we move
Macarena. The beggars laugh and the fruit seller shouts forward.
across the street for his stolen tomatoes. Many of the people who suffered in the past now run our
In the deep veld of Mpumalanga, the mountains and hills democratic country. Heroes like Nelson Mandela, Ahmed
protect the secret the province holds. The magical springs, Kathrada, Oliver Tambo and many more worked hard to
the Big Five and the caves (God even has a window here). try and reverse apartheid without being discriminative but
A picnic under a bright in Sabie while the rain gushes down by forgiveness. We now move forward and have made a
on either side of you and flows with the waterfall on your mark on this world and we can all say that over a decade of
right can only make you feel serene and excited at the same our democracy that we are proud to be South Africans!
time. Driving through the passes listening to Ladysmith When the last prisoner left the last cell on Robben, the
Black Mambaza and Miriam Makeba makes the core of my island quivered, the mainland convulsed and the continent
body warm and the expression on my face fill with pride shook off its chains! Nkosi Sikeleli Afrika. Long live
and belonging. South Africa!
I suddenly turn cold. On the side of the road are children
singing as they work to make the most beautiful animal Humayra Garda Grade 10
sculptures. Their clothing is torn; I can never get
accustomed to seeing poverty even though people say that My Mother's Hands
in time you become numb to it. Does that mean you stop The spring breeze seems to rush past, taking all that it
caring? I get out of the car; the warmth of the engine is wants. The sun rises bringing the gift of a new day; it sets,
like poison to me, suffocating my selfish body. I almost curtaining the world with the darkness of night. A
shout at a man bargaining with a pregnant woman to make grandfather clock bellows on every hour, reminding us
a twenty rand necklace four rand. She accepts the money that time does not wait. With every tick-tock-tick-tock

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moments pass us by and so do the people in our lives. Words for Those who have been
We grow and change and those around us change as well. Dubbed Alternative
Some of them stay with us, others leave; some This is his world …
encourage us, others deviate our intentions but in each He sat at the misty, fogged-up window, drawing crude
of our lives there is one great person. Someone we symbols on the glass with his forefinger. Eerie, non-
admire and follow in every way. My greatest influence is human sounds came out of his mouth.
my mother, my sculptor. This is his world.
Seventeen years ago, she received a bundle. This bundle Sometimes you could distinguish the sounds as a song, not
of pure innocence was unaware of its potential to even yet notated. Sometimes they were imitations of his
set a foot out of place. Time passed and the bundle's mother's voice, his father's voice, the cat, the budgie … but
form changed with the influence of society and friends they were never words; only sounds.
but mostly by her mother's dexterous hands. She was This is his world.
quick to reform to perfection the hurts and aches that Sometimes he screamed. Especially on the way to the
circumstance and consequence had indented and hospital: he was immutable!
obscured. Mother embellished this bundle by engraving Like some ghastly, Nazi-siren, he just screamed and
onto it morals, beliefs and most importantly, respect and screamed and screamed! No one ever mentioned our
kindness towards others. Within the bundle's heart, she naked, surgical, clinical destination by name, but,
placed the values of life and love. somehow, he always knew. Even when the white-coats
Then came a time when the bundle hardened and gave him sweets and said things like “There, there …” and
evolved into a most difficult character. Yet despite this, “Now, be a good boy …” in falsely patient and cajoling
her sculptor was persistent and using rules and voices, he just carried on screaming. And when they began
restrictions as a chisel, managed to continue creating her prodding him and poking him and testing his reactions, the
artwork. It was a tedious affair now that the bundle had screaming grew worse. Even in his mother's arms, he
developed a mind of its own and it discovered its screamed and screamed. The hospital smelled of fear to
'constitutional' rights. However much they argued and him.
fought, the sculptor always knew better. After a while, This is his world.
the stubborn stone learned this and began to Sometimes he became totally quiet – so quiet it seemed as
understand. though he'd even stopped breathing. My mother would
The sculptor then began to paint. With the deftest shakily bring him his blanket, his dummy, his toy fire truck,
brush and most exuberant colour, she emphasised the anything to get him moving again. Those were the scariest
stone's talents and passion for life. In every way, the times. The stillness.
sculptor strove to make the most beautiful sculpture This is his world.
from her stone. She supported her and stood by her Sometimes he would be stared at or pointed at or laughed
during the most trying hardships even though at times at. He would just blissfully continue in his own, unique
the sculptor herself could barely cope. way, oblivious to the obtrusive, imposing stares, the
As the winds continue to rush past us all, the sculptor ignorant comments, the useless pity. His animalistic
continues to work on her creation. It is not possible to sounds frightened people, or intrigued them, or amused
ascertain the final creation's appeal and aesthetic value or them. His senseless yet unaware behaviour let people's
if reviewers will appreciate it but one thing is certain: mouths hang open in shock.
the sculptor will always love it with a feeling This is his world.
inconceivable to others. Even if life blows the creation But as he sat at the foggy window, safe from prodding
over and she falls into a clutter, the sculptor will be close doctors in white-coats, sweets and cold metallic objects
by to pick up the morsels and help place them back and the driving rain outside and the cruel, penetrating
together with her love and caring. stares, his humming grew fainter and fainter. Our
exhausted and semi-neurotic mother looked up from her
Katia da Ponte Grade 11

124PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS Lavender Mashinini Gr 8

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book at him, her eyes alert and searching in her tired, lined Your sanctity is my memory
face. She watched him grow still. Emotion was frowned upon. Strength was showing no pain:
“Justin?” Cautious, almost a plea, but fruitless. dying silently. Stony stares flowed towards me in a stream of
In all his nine years, Justin had never shown any ill will as a tear pushed slowly out of my eye and meandered
connection with the world outside his own. Slowly, he down my face. They had hated her because she had lived in
opened his mouth. I could see his little wet tongue every sense of the word but her death brought them no
moving sporadically, between two rows of perfect teeth pleasure for they could not feel.
…. Their faces stiffened over the years. There were no frown
“Dark …” he said, croakily. lines or laughter creases. It was as though rigamortis had set
in and fixed their faces into moulds. No expression of theirs
'Words from deep down come up slowly …' could permeate my soul and give me back the life I had lost
- Arthur Nortjé with her.
I stared into her face and took it in for the last time. The
This is his world. flesh had paled and I searched for the hint of a familiar
Kayleigh Naudé Grade 11 expression but I could find nothing. Death laughed at me
from the faces of the other mourners. Their eyes mocked
Faces in a crowd me and my feelings. Her hair glinted gold in the light: the
A million faces walked past my still and silent body. Every only mark of rebellion against the gathering of black entities
smile, frown, laugh and tear have a story and a reason. A around her.
reason more involved than my silence and more intricate I wanted to scream to break the silence. I wished to shock
than the stars sprinkling the night with their broken the people into feeling something, even terror. Instead I ran
dreams and damned existence. I watch as they pass; they out into the sunlight. Rain was falling but the day was not
don't notice or care as they push past me to a destination I dark. I chose the path we had always taken together. We had
don't know. I would follow them to find out where it is often run up the mountain singing: just to escape the silence.
they trudge to like zombies dressed in multi-coloured I ran wildly allowing nettles to brush my skin and rocks to
personalities but I cannot find enough curiosity in me to bruise my hands. I reached our cave, hers and mine, and
muster the energy to trudge with the faces of the crowd. collapsed on the floor bleeding.
There is an old man, grey and creased with age. He My rasping breath quietened until I could hear the birds
represents only strife, for no laughter could have etched tweeting at each other and the trickle of a stream in the
those lines so deep in his face. His eyes are cold and distance. There was a light scent of decaying bark and
useless to him, unable to comfort their dilapidated owner ancient rock. The hard floor of the cave cradled me. It
with tears. Behind him is a young girl who cannot be cradled my dying dreams.
more than five years old; she skips along behind her, A snake twitched slight near the entrance. Its skin gleamed a
opposite. She is young, everywhere he is old; smiles dangerous silver. I did not fear it. It was just avoiding the rain
everywhere where he frowns; and giggles every time he and absorbing the remnant heat from the warmer stones.
moans. I long for her innocence, her delusion of She would never come here with me again and yet nature did
happiness, her unfailing optimism in the ominous air. not miss her. The wind was blowing a little dust towards me
They all come dressed in their stereotypes: the doctor which aggravated the nettle stings. The throbbing stings
who could do nothing; the Prima Donna who sold her were a release of pain and the breeze a soothing presence.
soul to her ego; the catholic priest who did everything to Everything looked just as it always had and still falls the rain.
bring youth to God and failed; the musician who could Patricia Theron Grade 11
never measure up to her own expectations; the friend who
meant well but said the wrong words; the man who could False love
not return her love. All of them are my past, my present, We live our lives in constant hope
and my future. They are of everyone's existence. The All we itch for is the rush, the thrill of that scented amour
faces in the crowd of life. Malicious but kind; hateful but We see its promise in the face of strangers,
loving; demented but sane. Their eyes all search as one through your very flesh
As they continue to ignore my naked soul I wish they But never penetrate your soul.
would not. I wish they would stop and consider me for a
second, but my soul is superfluous as a blade of dead By skew and glistening visions and emotions are designed
grass in the wind. Through fear we sell ourselves and
The crowd and its faces begin to disperse to their secret Offer-up our beings to the red roses and tantalising treats.
locations and I slowly realise they will not acknowledge The crumbling petals reach our inner sanctum and turn to
me here and I am alone, even when I was within the ash.
crowd, and all I have is myself and what ever
connotations I can find to go with that. The faces in the The promise was but a lie
crowd are exactly that: faces in a crowd, nothing more The man, a mere puppet controlled by your strings
and nothing less than that. The sickeningly sweet smell awakes your mind,
Alex Jerrett Grade 11 All seems clear and truth emerges.
Debby Nixon Grade 11

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You're My harboured behind walls of humiliation and doors of
You're my little ray of sunshine hatred. It is not carried by rodents, instead it is carried by
In a sky of thunderclouds people and yet we fail to eradicate it. It is just as deadly
You're my angel on my shoulder and modern medicine has been left wanting when it
Guarding me through the night comes to finding its cure. Aids, the modern Black death!
Death is here.
You're my little touch of heaven 'A pocket full of posies … '
In a world that's covered in frost The stink of death permeated the air; filling your lungs
You're my little compass guide with suffering and your heart with sorrow. Owing to the
When I find my way is lost plague's highly contagious status; brother abandoned
brother, uncle abandoned nephew, wife abandoned
You're my little bit of sanity husband and parent abandoned child. As soon as
In a mind darkened with hate contact was made with the infected it was almost
You're my little comfort zone guaranteed that your impending doom was near.
When I feel this is all I can take Flowers were carried by the well as though to
camouflage the demise of people.
You're my little shining lantern As you walked past a pile of carcasses you raised your
In a night as dark as time black-spotted hand, carrying your roses, to your nose
You're my saving grace with the intention of evicting the stench of death from
When I wish to take what's mine your nostrils only to find the sweet scent had eluded you.
The realisation of the blood gushing out of your nose
You're my little leaden anchor signals that you will not be a survivor. Instead of
In a storm-tossed sea smelling the roses you join the pile.
You're my little seaside harbour Your death is blamed on pneumonia, infections, cancer.
When I need someone to rescue me No one wants to admit the truth! Death was
incontrovertible, so why not leave with a cleansed
You're my little ray of light conscience? Your family encircles your bed; their eyes
In a calendar filled with grey gaze over you filled with a mixture of pity and disgust.
You're my little song of gladness Your frail body fights back only to realise it has run out
When I feel there's no other way of ammunition. Your suffering is over and you become
just another statistic, one more victim who has falled
You're my little share of love prey to the virus.
In a world devoid of hope Death cannot be hindered.
You're my little ray of sunshine 'A tish you, A'tish you…'
In a sky of thunderclouds. The bodies begin to decay… where they fell. The
Liane Bosch Grade 11 majority of the deceased have turned purpley-black
colour and are emitting a suffocating odour. There is no
“ The end of the world as I know it, and disparity between one body and the next; in death there
I feel fine” is no preference. The plague is in full swing after winter
'Ring, a ring, a rosies …' has passed (which brought around a hint of relief as
Bodies littered the streets, invaded houses and graffitied fleas are dormant in the colder months). Mass burials
fields. Three years before today saw the start of this are the order of the day with a side plate of … more
devastation. In the streets of England, rodents were not deaths … and sorrow (for the living) as dessert. As one
uncommon; but then they posed no threat. The lot are laid to rest; others become contaminated.
beginning was subtle; we had no warning and no Sneezing, the first sign of your fate, as the disease's
inclination that something as insignificant as a flea could capricious behaviour decided on its next victim. Praying
spread such a life-altering disease. First came the swelling seems to fall on deaf ears.
of lymph glands, shortly followed by the nausea and the Drugs they say are supposed to elongate life, to give you
flowing of blood from every orifice. Once you were time, to slow down the disease. Yet all they do is prolong
affected, once you had been marked by the cross of death your agony. People became apathetic; they are numb:
… you had but a week. The Black Death was upon you too many have died, too many will for anyone to afford
and no medieval medicine could combat the plague. to become emotionally involved with the doomed. One
Death had just become your eternal companion. sneeze and an affected person's immune system shuts
It is unstoppable and tearing through our population like down. One sneeze …
wildfire. Who knows when it began and no one can Death will prevail.
comprehend when it will depart. People whose lives are 'We all fall down!'
brought to an unexpected end by this disease are no People cannot be vindicated: the transmission occurs
longer displayed in full view of the public but are instead through us. Mounds of bodies infiltrate our soil and I
hope that by studying the results of the plague that went
126PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS before us, we can repaper ourselves for the plague that is

Viewpoint English

running rampant through us. For until we learn from our
mistakes, death has the upper hand.
Death is here.

Kim Arthur Grade 12

Off the beaten track Olga Antoniades Gr 11
Who is it who can tell me who I am? With this question,
Shakespeare voices the confusion of mankind's identity understand. It is for this reason that emotions are the
and raises the questions that still plague us today. Who are greatest resource we have for uniting mankind.
we? What are we? Why are we? Today, mankind's Intelligence is not satisfied by theories and explanations
existence is in jeopardy because of our unrelenting efforts because the human heart and mind are suffocated by the
to destroy each other, the world around us and ourselves. restriction they bring. I believe that William Wordsworth
These consequences all come down to the fact that we do said it best when he wrote,
not understand our existence as human beings.
Modern education focuses on developing the intellect or 'Enough of Science and of Art
the powers of reasoning and acquiring knowledge. To this close up these barren leaves
end, we are taught theorems and explanations. For come forth and bring with you
example, we are taught to reason out exactly how long it a heart that watches and receives.'
would take three men to build a wall if it takes thirteen Ingrid Cloete Grade 12
men and women five days to build fourteen sixteenths
even if this calculation takes us as much time as it would Oggie
have taken the men to build the wall. This by no means Shortly after Oggie arrived in my life I came to an abrupt
brings about an understanding of human life as human realisation that although Oggie may seem, to an ignorant
beings are largely emotional creatures. Intelligence, or the observer, to be merely a large, fat sausage dog (it has been
capacity to feel as well as to reason, is sadly neglected and said that he bears closer resemblance to polony than a
our understanding of ways of life and our perception of sausage) he is in fact not a dog at all. What exactly Oggie
values are fading. Intellect alone can never provide is, is not quite clear but the general consensus among
understanding and with a distorted understanding of those who are well acquainted with him is that he is not a
humanity, mankind will have no further reason for large fat sausage dog, a large, fat something perhaps but
existence. not a large, fat sausage dog.
By nature, knowledge is limited. Knowledge can never tell Oggie's transition into our house happened in just three
one exactly what the consequences of a particular action steps: he went from cage to car to couch and has
would be because it does not allow for a deeper remained here for the best part of his adult life. He only
comprehension of the human condition. The German disturbs this routine at about half past nine in the evening
philosopher, Nietsche, once said that there are no facts, when he discreetly leaves his position of comfort to seek
only interpretations. Fact is only fact as long as we believe out a bed according to availability, reason and the present
it to be true because our thought processes are influenced occupancy. A biography of Oggie's existence would thus
by our beliefs, perceptions and experiences. In days gone be a very short book; however my capacity in writing this is
by, it was considered fact that the world was flat and that not as a biographer but as a pet owner (or in Oggie's view, a
washing too often was unhealthy. As perceptions slave).
changed, new understandings and new facts developed. Pet owners often have warped perceptions of their darling
Mencken was not alluding to illegal alcohol when he stated
that all human knowledge is moonshine. In fact the only 127PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS
knowledge that will always be true is that knowledge will
always change.
Wisdom, on the other hand, is a different matter. Wisdom
springs from intelligence and comes when we renounce
greed and hatred and begin to observe and understand the
everyday aspects of human life. Whilst no amount of
knowledge or fact can do away with suffering, wisdom
shows the right path to action. In our search for
knowledge and our greedy desires, we are blunting our
sensitivity to cruelty. We are blunting our feeling for
beauty, and we are losing love. Love is the principle
emotion from which all positive emotions and experiences
originate. Without love, mankind cannot survive.
History has shown that ideas can never bring people
together, except in opposing groups. Emotions, however,
are universal, feelings that everyone shares and can

Viewpoint English

comfort and cuddles (if a slightly warm and slobbery
source of comfort and cuddles). His ability to detect a
'bad day' in the general vicinity of our home is eerily
human but as a shoulder to cry on Oggie far surpasses any
human effort.
Cage to car to couch (with short periods dedicated to
food and beds) sums up the story of my polony dog's life
but for the little dent he makes in my life (and in my bed)
Oggie may as well be the angel and majestic King I so
often call him.

Amy Taylor Grade 12

Tamlin Higgins Gr 12 Mindwalk
Ideas and ideologies. Freeing the oppressed. High hopes
baby creatures in the same way parents have and heroic war efforts emanated from every radio and
misconceptions about their children. It would be television, luring the masses into a common cause.
unnatural to think that your child was not the prettiest, Professor O'Sullivan disagreed. He saw war as a conflict
cleverest and most talented child on the planet. As of two ideologies, resolved by a physical battle. How
Oggie's 'big sister' I'm as guilty of this as any parent. The could you say the stronger side was the right one? And
fact that Oggie spends at least twenty-two hours a day who could ever guarantee the safety of innocents in
asleep is not a sign of laziness but of intelligence; my dog something as barbaric as war? However, he had given up
is smarter than any man alive is. He has perfected the art on his cause. He had not even been able to convince his
of making his circumstances work for him. Answer me own son or brother who was now a general, from signing
truthfully: would you (as only one entity you can only up. He resigned to the fact that the will of nations was
speak for yourself) get up every morning and go to work, unstoppable; he was just a bystander.
university or school when your financial constraints or General O'Sullivan put down the radio transmitter. He
society did not dictate that you should? As rhetorical had given orders for troops to move. After twenty-six
questions go, this one has an easy answer, generally: no. years in the army, he was still exhilarated by moving into
Oggie's intelligence is also clearly reflected in the fact that new areas. Yes, he was doing it for his country, which, no
he seldom follows instructions unless it benefits him to do doubt, had superior ideals. Perhaps that was why even the
so. Commands such as 'sit' and 'stay' are mostly ignored by inevitable 'collateral damage' never bothered him: it was
his majesty, Oggie the dog, as the rewards gained by him for the greater good. However, it was more than just
following these instructions are largely reaped by the patriotism that drove him. War was natural, the primitive
instructor. After such a command is given to my little struggle between men. There was a natural aggression
angel, his face becomes strained by an obvious internal inside everyone, and what better way to channel it than for
argument, whether to please this dim-witted human being what (we are told) is the right cause. His troops were
and hopefully be dutifully rewarded or not and be dutifully doing well, he was told. The animalistic thrill overcame
rewarded anyway? him again. The will to conquer, to control was what
In my capacity as Oggie's owner I feel that it is also drove him, and every other man too: they just didn't
important to express Oggie's more endearing know it. That was why he had convinced his nephew to
characteristics. Oggie is an ever present source of join the army.
Frank O'Sullivan inhaled. This would be the first real
128PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS combat he had been in. Things were different to how he
had expected them to be. The patriotism he had felt
before, back home, had dissipated with the realities of
war. The enemy, too, was now human and he had to face
the fact that he too may never return home, to the place he
was fighting for.
Brian lay in wait. A dread consumed him, but above all,
his motivations were still clear. The stifling heat
reminded him of the day his son had been killed. Killed
by invaders, intruders into his homeland, unwelcome
guests. What irked him more was the guise they wore.
Conquering heroes, here to bring enlightenment, the
modern world, enforced by an age-old aggression: war.
He heard the approaching troops and closed his eyes.
Visualising the mangled body of his eight-year-old son,
he pressed down the switch.
General O'Sullivan slammed his fist on the table.

Viewpoint English

'Bastards!' he yelled. Well, he'd had worse news before. way! I cringed at the thought …
This was part of life, a hard reality. His troops would My mother is due in six months time and I have come to
proceed with a few fewer soldiers. accept the fact that life as I know it is over. My future is
One problem tugged at him though. He lost his drive to filled with the delightful prospect of juggling studying
move his men and his ambitions were put on hold as he for Science finals and dealing with a screaming infant
grappled internally. How was he going to tell his brother? and I am certain I will be the one helping out, finals or
none. Diapers, bottles and rattles are all life has to offer
Tali Cassidy Grade 12 me now.

I have an announcement to make Megan Gilson Grade 12
I placed my latest Maths test, adorned with a bright red D,
gently on the kitchen table in front of my mother, my face Hide and Seek
adorned with a similar red flush. I was generally good at In a cold-white room, shiny metal strangers wink at me,
Maths and was worried about my mother's reaction to my As they creep towards a concealed little warehouse,
disappointing result. Where you've been waiting patiently.
“That's lovely, dear,” she said and smiled, a preoccupied Till now you've been such an effort to find.
look on her face. Lovely? Was she blind? Something
was undoubtedly getting to her … Bless me Doctor
For the past few weeks things had been a little off colour For I have sinned.
in my household. My usually attentive mother was acting Absolve me with the shameful deed.
like a teenager: she daydreamed and giggled and most Strangle every dream, every moment,
oddly of all every so often a knowing and secretive Every game we could have played.
glance would be exchanged between my mom and dad.
As hard as they tried to be discreet, the fact that Rolling in the grass.
something was out of place was unmistakable. Hands and feet.
On discreetly enquiring whether things were 'all right' I Fingers and toes.
was greeted by, “Never better my darling!” and a beaming
smile. My mother is certainly not the exceedingly The formation of life is a miracle,
enthusiastic or optimistic type so this, together with her But this sacrilegious act has come to set you free.
behaviour of late, had me worried, very worried. Freedom come, come to me.
Something had to be wrong. I've been hiding silently,
I dreamed about a hundred nightmarish possibilities of On a bitter shore,
what might be askew. The first was that my grandmother, With my head in my hands,
my mom's mother-in-law, was dying: that would explain Wishing I could burn your name into the sand
my mom's glee … Another was the unnerving possibility Before the water comes, to wash you away.
that we were moving most likely , in my opinion, to some
obscure town like Pofadder. I shuddered at the thought, Skipping stones.
but at that moment there was nothing I could do. I tried Two lips.
to ignore my oblivious parents and carried on as normal, A mouth.
but without the feeling of trepidation lifting. Every strand of hair.
A month or so later the day of reckoning kicked me
squarely in the posterior: “I have an announcement to I've been holding my breath
make,” my mother burst out that night at dinner, beaming And kicking to the surface,
once again. An expectant silence fell over the table. I bit But it's fruitless with this weight beneath my ribs.
my thumbnail, my mom drew her breath and then A secret, that's been so well hidden.
dropped an atomic bomb. If I saw your face, you know I'd kiss it,
“I'm pregnant!” she exclaimed. I choked on a pea. But how could I live if I'd always have to miss it?
After the initial shock wore off and the aforementioned More tears to my ocean.
pea dislodged itself from my throat, I emitted an earth- Why learn to walk on water,
shattering sigh of relief. We were not moving, nobody Just to drown in the sand.
was on death's doorstep and everything was fine. I was so
excited life was perfect! Or was it …? Nursery rhymes and butterflies.
At the age of forty-two my mother was going to have a Every freckle, every frown.
baby. This posed several rather inescapable issues, the My whole world turned upside down.
first and most disturbing being that at my parents' ripe age
they should have stopped participating in anything that Little brown eyes. Mine.
could impregnate my mother light years ago. I was utterly Hide and seek.
disgusted at my parents' misbehaviour. How was I to Too late;
explain to my peers how my middle-aged mother had My metal friends have found you.
come to fall pregnant. As if there were more than one
Dominique Pellissier Grade 12

129PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint Afrikaans

Afrikaans
Stelwerk

Het mense ook nog selfrespek tot die besluit gebring dat súlke sosiale geleenthede nie vir
Ek het onlangs die snaaksste gebeurtenis van my lewe my is nie!
beleef toe ek saam met een van my nuutste vriende Reinette du Toit Graad 10
genooi is om na die watergat, waar al die mans met
bierboeppense heen swymel, te gaan. Dié plek, bekend Rugby O Rugby
vir sy biertuine en gejuig, is ook bekend as Loftus Ek het altyd gedink ek ken toeskouers as dit by rugby kom,
Versveld. totdat my vriend my saamgevat het na die Bulle en Haaie-
Tot my uiterste verbasing was ek omring deur biltong en wedstryd. Daar kom ons toe te lande langs dié toeskouers
talle soorte bier vanaf die oomblik wat ek my voet in die van alle tye…
stadion gesit het. Dit was soos sirkusmense wat stamp en Dié gesin, of wat hulle ook al was, het bestaan uit die pa, sy
stoot, iemand wat iets skreeu en selfs klein kindertjies wat twee seuns en 'n oupa. Die pa was 'n ronde man. Om alles
onbeheerbaar rondhardloop. Ek moes aan my vriend te kroon het hy homself heeltemal blou geverf en op sy rug
klou soos 'n verwese apie, totdat ons uiteindelik tussen was 'n massiewe Bul-embleem! Op sy kop het regte
twee welgeronde tannies beland het. Met hulle yslike horings gepryk en nou en dan het hy met sy blou vlag op en
blou vlag in die lug, horings op die kop en lemoene in die af gespring.
hand, kon ek al klaar aflei dat dié dag 'n dag sou wees vir Die twee seuns aan die anderkant, was weer heeltemal swart
moeilikheid. Só baie mense, elkeen met sy eie geverf en het die hele wedstryd op hulle stoele deurgebring.
persoonlikheid en voorkeure, vasgevang in 'n stadion. Elke nou en dan het hulle 'My Sarie Marais' uit volle bors
Nederig soos ek is, het ek salig en stil myself verknus gesing en dan sommer in die middel van die wedstryd op 'n
langs my vriend en gekyk hoe die reusagtige, sweterige arme speler geskel wat glo 'n onvergeeflike fout begaan het.
spelers op die veld uitgehardloop kom. Skielik pluk Oupa het meer op kos gekonsentreer. Ek het myself
iemand aan my netjies teruggetrekte hare. 'n Klein verseker dat hy en die yssak bodemloos is soos wat hy kos
seuntjie met potbou oë loer van agter my stoel uit vir my uitgehaal en geëet het. Eers skyfies, toe biltong, grondbone,
en steek sy tong uit. Ek wou nog protesteer, totdat ek die droëvrugte, worsbrode en so gaan die lys aan.
seuntjie se reuse pa agter hom gewaar. Aangesien al die lede van die gesin nie vir dieselfde span
Só 'n man het ek nog nooit sien nie! So groot soos twee geskreeu het nie, was die gevolg dat die pa 'n blou oog
voertuie met 'n pak biltong op sy yslike boep en 'n baard gehad het en een van die seuns se neuse skoon skeef gesit
só lank dat dit sommer so in die pakkie hang. Met een kyk het. Ek het myself só verwonder aan dié sirkus dat ek teen
wat die man my gegee het, het ek geweet ek moes maar die einde van die wedstryd nie 'n idée gehad het wie gewen
eerder stilbly oor sy blougeklede seuntjie met die het nie!
arrogante gesiggie. Na die wedstryd, op pad huis toe, het ek net nog meer besef
Die régte moeilikheid het eers so na halftyd begin. Ek't dat ek glad nie die toeskouers geken het nie, tot daar 'n hele
naderhand begin gewoond raak aan die onrus van die blou familie in 'n blou kar verby ry! Ai! Suid-Afrikaners is
skare en die nare kommentaar wat van alle kante afgekom verseker rugbymal!
het. Die twee tannies met die horings op hulle koppe het Minette Cilliers Graad 10
stadig maar seker hulle voorraad Klipdrift klaargemaak
en ek kon die rooi gloed al hoe meer op hulle gesigte 'n Ouma, 'n Boeddiste retreat en 'n
gewaar. Hulle word toe luidrugtiger sodat selfs die reus Harley
agter my hulle al skeef begin uitkyk het. Ouma Wilhelmina bewonderde inwoner, sosiale vlinder,
Toé gebeur dit – die skeidsregter het besluit om 'n nare Mev. Kalahari 2003… heldin van die kerk het van die
keuse te maak en toe tref 'n lemoen hom vierkantig op sy vliegtuig (vlug 32 British Airways) afgeklim met
neus reg vanuit my rigting. En die héle Loftus se oë is op rooihuidhaarstyl, mini-romp, neusring en “I'm Single”
my! Die luidrugtige tannies het ewe skielik baie stilletjies t-hemp.
in die hoekie gestaan en lag.
'n Nuusberig later en vele vrae oor dié aaklige dag het my

130PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint Afrikaans

Die inwoners van Springbok was geskok toe Ouma 'n in hulle klein dorpie.
“boeddiste retreat” begin het. Dáár het allerhande Een naweek het alles verander, die twee was weer in die
vreemde en “interessante” mense hulleself “gevind” en veld en alles het goed gegaan. Sersant het die gras sien
hulle diepste siel ontdek … Hippies en “beatniks”, beweeg en het dadelik sy skietposisie ingeneem. Hy het 'n
monnike en “kinders van die aarde” het in die strate van perfekte skoot geskiet. Maar daar was geen Bokser wat
Springbok rondgedwaal. gehardloop het nie.
Die tannies van die NG-kerk-komitee het 'n Sersant het nie weer aan 'n geweer geraak na daardie
noodvergadering gehou om 'n plan uit te dink. Mev. naweek nie. Al is Bokser weg, bly die herinneringe saam
Ninni Prinsloo het aangehaal. “Die duiwel is besig om met hom vir altyd.
die strate van Springbok te vergif. En as goeie Annien Joubert Graad 10
Christelike vrouens is dit ons plig om dit te stop!”
Voor enige ernstige vervolgings kon begin, het Ouma Ek en die skedonkie
Wilhelmina die dorp van Springbok 'n tweede keer Dit is Sondagmiddag en dis WARM! Ek en my niggie sit in
geskok … ons kamer. Ons is so verveeld soos twee susters op
Ouma was hopeloos verlief op 'n jong en baie mooi vyf- nagdiens. Daar is niks op hierdie plaas om te doen nie.
en-twintig jarige kunstenaar en dit is saam met hom dat Die verdompde krag is af, ALWEER! Ons ouers het
sy (leerbaadjie, helm, ens.) op 'n glimmende, swart besluit om vandag rugby te gaan kyk en óns by die huis
Harley in die sonsondergang weggry het. gelos. “Kom ons gaan strand toe,” sê ek, en sit regop.
“My liewe nig, dis 'n wonderlike idéé! Maar sê tog gou vir
Serah-Ingrid Calitz Graad 10 my iets, hoe op die aarde beplan jy om ons daar te kry? Dis
net bietjie te ver om te stap, regtig!” antwoord Nolene.
Bokser my Wagter Sy gaap so groot, ek dog sy sluk my amper net daar in!
Sersant Jacob was die grootste man, kan 'n mens sê. Hy “Moet jou nie dom hou nie, jy kan mos bestuur.”
het altyd sy veldhoed en sy jagklere aangehad. Daar was “Umm, nee. Ek het al twee keer my bestuurslisensie
nie een naweek wat hy en sy waghond nie gaan jag het gedruip.”
nie. Al het dit gereën of gesneeu. “Dit beteken nie dat jy nie 'n kar kan bestuur nie, jy doen
Sy hond was 'n ander storie. Wie kan 'n naam soos dit dalk net nie goed genoeg nie.”
Bokser vir 'n miniatuur Doberman gee? Dit was die “Goed, kom ons sê ek kán bestuur, met wat beplan jy moet
kleinste hond wat ek al ooit gesien het, maar Bokser het ons daar uitkom, die ou trekker?”
'n hart soos 'n leeu gehad. “Jy is régtig blond vandag. Wat staan buite in die skuur?
As die twee van hulle in die veld gaan jag het, was hulle Oupa se ou mini!”
onafskeidbaar. Sersant Jacob het gewoonlik die diere “Kan daai ding nog ooit ry?”
geskiet en dan het Bokser dit gaan soek. Die span het al
honderde trofeë gewen en is bekend as die beste jagspan

Jennifer Wang Gr 12 131PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint Afrikaans

Christina Steyn Gr12

“Natuurlik kan hy nog ry!” Ventersdorp nie.
“Reg, kry jy dan die sleutel, ek sal die swembroeke kry.” Al die ouer geslag het al iets “mmoi's” gesien:
Daar gaan ons! Grootouma, Ann, het waarlik 'n stepping gekry wat sal pas.
Sonbrille, swembroeke, handdoeke en die radio kliphard, Ma het 'n paar “parra” skoene gekry en Tannie Griet het 'n
in 'n ou mini. Ons was twee mooi meisies op 'n lelike pers hoed gekry om by haar leliker geel en pienk
wonderlike avontuur. tweestuk (pakkie) te pas.
“Kom ons vat 'n ander pad. Ek het nie gedink hierdie Almal het iets. Behalwe ek. Die idee was om 'n
karretjie kan ooit sóó lekker ry nie,” sê Nolene met 'n eenvoudige aandrok te koop om na my kêrel se
GROOT glimlag op haar gesig. Ek stem saam, en kyk op matriekdans aan te trek. Maar nee, ons moes wegry tot in
die padkaart of daar ooit 'n ander pad is. Daar is tog een, Ventersdorp wat miljoene kilometers weg is van die
maar hy gaan deur 'n paar bossies en goed. beskawing. Ouma en tant Griet sê dat 'n mens nie verder
Ek beduie vir haar om links te gaan. Dis waar die sal soek as jy eers by Susan se winkel was nie. Daar's egter
probleme begin het. Die meisiekind weet nie wat LINKS eenvoudig niks nie.
is nie! Eers gaan sy regs om die minisirkel, en toe reguit Ons gaan maar huis toe na Ouma en Oupa se huisie in
aan. En toe ons weer moes draai, ry sy amper Oom Johan Avondtsrus. Ek sit maar op oupa se leer-bankie en wag.
se tuindwergies raak. 'n Paar minute later stap ouma uit met so twintig
Ons lag ons stokstyf. Ek kan skaars die padkaart lees. Toe uitrustings van tannie Sonja se geel matriekafskeidsrok tot
ek opkyk is ons deur bosse en oor rotse. Ek gil “BRIEK” Ouma se verlowingsrok wat 'n pragtige poeierblou is.
en sy gil net t'rug.”Ek probeer, maar die petrol sit vas!” Maar daar's nog 'n probleem. Toe Ouma verloof geraak
“En Pa, dis regtig hoe ons in die sandduin, neus eerste, het, het sy 'n stewige twintig gedra. Tannie Sonja het 'n
beland het!” probeer ek hom deur die venster van die klein nommer vier gedra. Ek is 'n tien. Die rokke will
karretjie wat nog vassit, oortuig. maar net nie pas nie.
Liandre Gibson Graad 11 Oom Polla, tannie Minnie se man, stel voor dat tannie
Minnie die blou rok was, want hy sê dat sy al sy klere krimp.
My Matriekdansrok “Kyk net hoe lyk hierdie hemp om my maag!” sê hy. Almal
Daar staan hulle. My hele familie van Oumagrootjie tot skater, want hulle weet Oom Polla hou baie van sy
die agterkleinniggie wat getroud is met my oom se tannie brandewyn en coke met sy boerewors. Hy lyk soos ses
se seun. Ek kyk skelm by die aantrekhokkie uit. Hulle maande in die “andertyd” van die kant af.
staan almal in 'n reguit ry tot in die straat. Die arme Ek kyk na my ma wat haar kop sit en skud. “My liefie,” sê
Susanne-Uitrusters van Ventersdorp het nog nooit so iets sy, “ek dink jy moet maar jou aannemingsrok dra.”
gesien nie. Daar was nooit eers soveel mense in “Dankie tog,” dink ek. Hierdie eskapade is verby.

132PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS Mickaelé Yssel Graad 11

Viewpoint Afrikaans

My interessante gesin Maria Ferreira Gr 12
My ma en pa kom albei uit groot gesinne en as gevolg
daarvan het ek 'n hele dieretuin van ooms en tannies. My Dis toe dat 'n klein knapie sy voete onder hom uitstorm en
gunsteling tannie is my ma se suster. My ma en my tannie sy kierie in die gaan gryp. Dit was die finale strooi! Oom
is 'n spieëlbeeld van mekaar; 'n identiese tweeling. Dit is Septimus draai toe nét daar om en loop reguit na die apteek
waar die ooreenkoms ophou… toe, koop sy benodighede en toe keer hy huis se kant toe.
My tannie is 'n ekstrovert, 'n uitbundige, lewendige, Dis daar waar hy toe agter in sy tuin die ou waterput
aantreklike bol energie. Sy is 'n sprankelende stoutgat. oopgrawe wat bo die fontein se 'wonderwater' gebou is en
As sy in 'n kamer instap, is dit asof 'n lawastroom die hele gooi bottels en bottels blouvitrioel in die dieptes in.
omgewing oorneem. Daar is geen uitweg nie. Sy gesels, Teen die einde van daardie week was daar nie een
amuseer, terg en lok 'n reaksie uit almal – tot die muskiete Transvaler in daardie dorp oor nie (en ook nie veel van die
en vlieë in die kamer soek skuiling in die plafonwaaier! navorser nie) want al wonders wat daardie fontein gespuit
Haar man is 'n stil, kalm Oostenryker. Sy enigste reaksie het, was van die maag!
teenoor hierdie kaskenades is 'n geleidelike verlies van Anneke Lombard Graad 12
hare, tande en gewig.
Tannie Jenny het 'n hart van goud en is baie vrygewig. As ek maar net my groot mond gehou
Daar is altyd groot opgewondenheid wanneer 'n strokie het.
van die poskantoor aankom van tannie Jenny. Sy noem Daar is altyd tye in 'n man se lewe wanneer jy maar net
dit haar sonskynpakkies. Oulike T-hemde, jeans, moet stilbly. Dit is die tye wanneer, wat jy te sê het, nie
parfuum, oorbelle, kookboeke en Belgiese sjokolade: moes gesê word nie. As ons maar net ons groot monde
weer die lawa wat oorweldig! hou, sou dit ons verleentheid spaar.
Sy het 'n passie vir kook en ek deel haar passie., Met baie Ek was nog my hele lewe verskriklik trots op my klein
geduld en grappe, het sy al vir my 'n goeie fondasie gelê en dogtertjie. Sy presteer nog altyd en sit haar hele hartjie in
het my ook aangemoedig om by die Prue Leith kookskool wat sy doen. Natuurlik was daar tye wat sy nie so goed
aan te sluit, maar nie in 'n pyjamabroek soos wat sy dit gedoen het as wat sy wou nie of nie die plek gekry het wat
gedoen het nie, of met 'n voorskoot met vals borste op sy wou hê nie en dan wou my hart breek as sy teleurgesteld
nie! is.
Tannie Jenny is soos 'n reënboog na 'n grys reëndag Verlede jaar het sy soos gewoonlik eerste prys gewen in die
vrolik, vol kleur en 'n uitsonderlike individu. Sy is werklik
'n tannie uit die boonste rakke! 133PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Helga Jacobs Graad 11

Blouvitrioel wat die maag laat woel
Eendag, vroeg in Januarie, het die wêreld vir die eerste
keer van oom Septimus se ou klein, stofstraatdorpie te
hore gekom. 'n Navorser het beweer dat die dorpie se
fontein 'wonderwater' gespuit het. Hierdie ' spikkeltjie op
die kaart' het ook heelwat snaakse karakters gehad, soos
die vet tannie van die hoek-kafee wat altyd na vetkoek,
maalvleis en knoffel geruik het en natuurlik ou oom
Septimus.
Oom Septimus was 'n knorrige oujongkêrel wat van pyp
rook, stilte en drank gehou het. Hy was gewoonlik al teen
agtuur onder die invloed aangesien sy oggendroetine 'n
hele paar koppies boeretroos (met 'n knertsie of twee
daarin) behels het. Hy was dus glad nie beïndruk toe daar
skares nat-agter-die-ore stadsjapies in sy dorpie opdaag
om sy skoon lug in te asem en sy water op te drink nie.
Daar was daagliks meer en meer van die klomp
Transvalers wat sy dorp kom besoek het en toe sommer
erwe begin opkoop het. Oom Septimus het sy humeur in
toom probeer hou, maar toe die klomp indringers hulle
kinders begin bring, kon oom Septimus net nie meer nie.
As daar nou een ding was wat hy nie kon verdra nie, was
dit 'n ongeskikte klein knapie; en nou was sy dorp
deurtrek van hulle!
Op 'n dag hinke-pink ou oom Septimus (in 'n knorrige
bui) na Swannie se bottelstoor aangesien sy voorraad
brandewyn en mampoer aan die skraal kant begin lyk het.

Viewpoint Afrikaans

rondte, maar soos die kompetisie gevorder het, het die
woorde al hoe moeiliker geword. Die ander kinders het
soos vlieë om die dogtertjie geval. Sy was foutloos.
Almal se senuwees was op hul einde gewees toe dit net
Jana en 'n ander dogter oor was. Dit was Jana se beurt om
te spel. As sy die woord reg het, wen sy. Die woord is
“embarrass” en sy begin toe, E-M-B-A-R-R-A-S. Ek
spring toe op en juig van vreugde.
My man gryp my arm en probeer my stilmaak, maar ek gil
en gaan tekere. Die aanbieder lag en sê dat dit verkeerd
gespel is. Ek wou in die grond insak. Soos ek verleë gaan
sit, dink ek vir myself, as ek maar net my groot mond
gehou het.

Margo Weyers Graad 12

Nicola Broekhuysen Gr 10 Die verwaarlose handsak van Victoria
Beckham
skool se jaarlikse spelkompetisie. Ek wou weer eens bars My lewe is so gelukkig en opwindend. Ek is popmooi, ek
van die trots. Die skool was so beïndruk met haar het baie vriende en die plek waar ek bly is te veel pret vir
prestasie dat hulle haar toe ingeskryf het vir 'n tweetalige woorde. Wat meer kan 'n handsak vra, as om so gelukkig
spelkompetisie wat deur 'n groot maatskappy geborg is. soos ek te wees.
My engeltjie het nog altyd van Engels gehou en het die My vel is van die fynste en kosbaarste leer gemaak. My
taal goed gepraat, dus was sy nie vreeslik senuweeagtig op steke is voortreflik. Ek het diamanthandvatsels en dit het
die aand van die kompetisie nie. Ek was so senuweeagtig dae van harde werk geneem om die perfekte skepping te
vir haar onthalwe dat ek amper al my naels afgekou het. maak – ek! En ek is definitief nie goedkoop nie, of
Sy het stoksielalleen verhoog toe gestap, terwyl ek en my miskien fantaseer ek oor al hierdie dinge.
man in die gehoor sitplek gaan soek het. Ek moet sê, voor ek in Victoria se lewe ingetrek het, was
Baie van haar vriende en hul ouers het haar kom ek 'n baie verlate en neerslagtige siel. Ek het op 'n
ondersteun. Selfs die hoof van haar skool en 'n paar skitterende rak van 'n San Fransisco Gucci stoor vir drie
onderwyseresse het ondersteuning kom gee. Die dae gesit voor iemand my gesien het. Drie hele dae! En
kompetisie het begin met flitsende ligte en lekker musiek toe het Victoria my opgemerk. My lewe het so verander
wat 'n wonderlike atmosfeer geskep het. … of het dit?
Die aantreklike aanbieder van die kompetisie was vinnig Sy het my in haar donker hangkas gesit met die res van
op die verhoog en kondig toe die wonderlike pryse aan. haar twee-en-sestig handsakke. Ek het onbelangrik en
Die eerste prys was drie duisend rand en twintig rekenaars waardeloos gevoel. Elke oggend het ek haar gesien, maar
vir die wenner se skool. Ek kon sien Jana was vreeslik ek het nooit 'n beurt gekry om saam met haar te gaan nie.
opgewonde. Die ander handsakke was so onvriendelik – kompetiese is
Die kompetisie begin met 'n redelike maklike eerste 'n afskuwelike ding!
Toe het ek besluit dat ek iets moet doen. Dit was nou tyd
134PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS om te begin terugbetaal. Elke dag, as David die kas
instap, het ek van die rak afgespring. Hy het my met
soveel liefde behandel (hy is so oulik!). Ek het dit elke dag
gedoen. Toe het Victoria my eendag gevat. “O, jy is so
stukkend! Ek dink dat dit tyd is om jou weg te gooi
En sy het … en nou sit ek hier in haar vullisblik, met
diamante vir trane. Ek was nie suksesvol om haar man te
vang nie. Ek is nooit gebruik nie. Ek is die ongelukkigste,
verwaarloosste handsak. Niemand gee om nie.

Ina Gueorguieva Graad 12

As ek net my groot mond gehou het
Op daardie dag sou ek die leë coke-blik die hele pad huis
toe geskop het tot by ons voordeur as Brent my nie buite
sy huis gestop het nie. Brent was my buurman . Ek was
woedend, want ek het buite die fietsloods met my ouer
suster Lizzie baklei. Sy was in graad twee en ek in graad
een. Ons het oor iets simpels baklei, maar ek was baie
ontsteld.

Viewpoint Afrikaans

Henzie Healley Gr 11

Ek het vir Brent die hele storie vertel en hy het net gelag.
Toe kom daar 'n bose gedagte in my kop. Ek het geweet
dat Lizzie net 'n paar minute agter my geloop het en sou
binnekort by ons wees, daarom het ek vir Brent 'n leuen
vertel wat haar 'n les sou leer. Sy is 'n regte klein
skobbejak! “Brent, Lizzie hou baie van jou, hoor!”
Daarmee het ek vinnig omgedraai en huis toe gehardloop.
Ek het reguit na my kamer toe gehardloop en saggies
onder my bed weggekruip, maar toe ek die voordeur hoor
oopgaan was daar niks. Lizzie het nie rasend die trappe
opgehardloop en my kamerdeur kom afskop nie.
Ek het die res van die dag my afstand gehou, want ek was
bang – Lizzie was nogal sterk vir haar ouderdom. Toe
ons daardie aand op die vloer lê en die nuus kyk, kom ek
agter dat sy nie eintlik kwaad lyk nie. Miskien het Brent
niks vir haar gesê nie. Dit sou 'n goeie ding wees, want ek
het nogal baie van hom gehou.
My wêreld is die volgende dag op skool onderstebo
gegooi. Sherene, die skinderbek, het my vertel dat Brent
en Lizzie uitgaan. Ek was woedend, maar toe ek daaroor
nadink, het ek besluit dat die fout eintlik by my lê. Ek was
die een wat Brent vertel het dat Lizzie van hom hou! As
ek net my groot mond gehou het!
Sarah Erasmus Graad 12

Riki Papaspyrou Gr 11

135PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint Sepedi

Sepedi
Creative Writing

Ditokelo di ferekantsha maphelo a re tshepile gore re tla phela ka boikhutšo, ka ge re phela
baswa ditorong tša bona tša gore batho bohle ba mebala ya go
Ke tokelo ya motho yo mongwe le yo mongwe go ba le fapafapana ba tla dula mmogo. Ditoro tša bona tša gore
ditokelo mo bophelong. Baswa ba dumelelwa go dira dilo bana ba mebala ya go fapafapana ba tla kgona go swarana
tše ntši ka mengwaga ye lesomeseswai. Eupša selo seo se ka matsogo ba bitšana buti le sesi, ba sa ahlolane ka
tshwenyago ke gore ditokelo tšeo di ferekantšha maphelo mebala ya bona di atlegile. Le gore baswa ba mebala ya go
a bona, ge ba se na maikarabelo. fapafapana ba tla dula mmogo ba ngwathelana hlogo ya
Ka mengwaga ye lesomeseswai ba dumelelwa go otlela tšie.
sefatanaga, go nwa le go tsuba. Ga ke gane gore baswa ba Kgethologanyo e butše mahlo a ka, gore ke lemoge gore
fiwe ditokelo tše, eupša ba swanetše go tseba gore ge o ke swanetše go šomiša sebakanyana se ke se filwego ka
enwa kudu, o tlo dira dilo tšeo o be o sa nagane gore o tlo boitshepo le boikarabelo. Bjale ke a tseba gore ke
di dira. Matšatši a, baswa bao ba nwago kudu ba feleletša swanetše go ya pele fela ke se ke ka gata mehlala ya ka. Le
ba dira dilo tša go swana le go robala le batho, goba go ge go le boima ke a tseba gore maleka ga se makgona,
katwa ba se na maikemišetšo a go dira seo. Mafelelong ba mme go tšwelela pele ke swanetše go boeletša. Gape
tlo ba ba na le bolwetši bja go swana le HIV/AIDS goba kgethologanyo e nthušitše gore ke be le maatla le
mosetsana a ba a ima. Ba bangwe ba tsuba kudu, tlhohleletšo ya go tsebana le batho ba mebala ye mengwe
mafelelong ba tlo ba le bolwetši bja kankere. gobane batho ba bangwe ga ba hwetša sebaka sa go dira
Selo se sengwe seo ba dumelelwago go se dira ke go se. Ge ke elwa le motho wa mmala wa go se swane le wa
kgetha. Ba na le tokelo ya go kgetha gore ba nyaka mang ka, ga se gore ke lwa gobane ke na le lehloyo, ke lwa bjalo
gore a be mopresidente. Ba bangwe ba nagana gore ge ba ka ge ke elwa le sesi goba buti wa ka, gobane dikgomo go
na le tokelo yeo, se se ba fa tokelo ya go dira diphetho mo hlabana tša šaka le tee.
ntlong. Selo se sengwe ke tokelo ya sephiri. Ba bangwe Motho ga a swanela go ahlolwa ka mmala wa gagwe fela ka
ba senya tokelo yeo ba dira dilo tše mpe. bokgoni bja gagwe. Poelano e re thušitše gore re kgone
Selo seo baswa ba sa se tsebego ke gore ba ka ba ba na le go tsebana gabotse ka ntle le go lebelela mebala ya rena.
ditokelo tšeo ka mengwaga ye lesomeseswai, eupša
mahlong a batswadi ba bona, ba sa le ba bannyane. Bao Thabile Mtsweni Grade 12
ba dulago ba le nnoši, ba feleletša ba dira dilo tšeo ba di
nyakago. Tshotlego ya basadi le bana
Bjalo, nna ke re go ba le ditokelo ke selo se sebotse kudu, Letšatši le letšatši go bolelwa ka tshotlego ya bana le
eupša ge o na le tšona, o se di senye. Ba re popotela e sa basadi lefaseng ka bophara. Ga se gore ke bolela ka go
kwego, e wela leretheng la mohwelere. Baswa bao ba sa betha fela, tshotlego e akaretša le tshotlego ya monagano
theeletšego, ba nagana gore ge ba na le ditokelo ba ka dira ye e kgonago go šulafaletša motho bophelo le ge a se a
seo ba se nyakang ba lebala maitshwaro. Gopolang gore kgomiwa, le tše dingwe.
ditokelo di tla le maikarabelo. Ke dumela gore tshotlego ga e kgethe motho, e direga
Shamiso Rusike Grade 12 mothong yo mongwe le yo mongwe. Gantši re hwetša e le
gore banna ke bona ba sotlago basadi le bana. Ke dumela
Phetogo ya lefase gore batho bao ba sotlago bana ba swanetše go lefa sebaka
Dikgetho tša ngwaga wa 1994 di buletše bathobaso se setelele, eupša ke fela ke ipotšiša gore ba bangwe ba
menyako yohle ya bophelo bjo bonolo. Bathobaso re bana ba, ba hlokomelwa ke mang ge batswadi ba bona ba
kgona go dira se sengwe le se sengwe seo re se nyakago. ile kgolegong.
Lefase le ile la fetoga, mme batho ba mebala yohle ya go Ke thaba ge ke bona lefase la rena le dira ka mokgwa wo le
fapafapana ba hwetša ditokelo tša go lekana ka kgonago go thibela tshotlego ya basadi le bana. Fela
Bathobaso le bona bjale re kgona go ipshina ka bophelo basadi bao ba tsebago gore banna ba bona ba a ba sotla
gobane bagolo ba rena ba re lwetše ntwa ye kgolo gore goba ba sotla bana ba bona ba swanetše go tlogela gore ba
maphelo a rena a fetoge. Sebakeng se, bagolo ba rena ba kgone go ba le bophelo bjo bobotse.
Mo Afrika Borwa bana le basadi ba a hlorišwa ebile go
136PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint Sepedi

beilwe matšatši ao go eletšwago ditiragalo tša mohuta wo.
Ge ke gopola ka taba tša baby Tshepang, pelo ya ka e rotha
madi. Naa batho ba ba sotlago batho ba na le maikutlo.
Ka moo bangwe ba bona ba feteletšego ba sotla masea le
batšofe bao ba se sa kgonago le go itšhikinya. Naa lefase
le lebile kae. Botšhabelo bjona ga bo go ka ge tshotlego
tše di dirwa ka magae, ke batho bao ba tsebjago le go
tshepša. Ditokelo tša batho di a tlhokomologwa.
Lefapha la maphodisa le tša toka, gammogo le mmušo a
ba se tlogele go thuša setšhaba. A re lekeng go phedišana
ka khutšo, re tlogele go ba bo mphenyašilo.

Letlhogonolo Ranyawa Gr 11

Tsa etwa ke ya tshadi pele Keletso Modise Gr 10
Ba re o se bone thola boreledi, teng ga yona go a baba.
Batho ba basadi ke bona ba nang le maikarabelo a magolo dipapadi tše dingwe go na bjale, gore ge šetše ke eya ke tla
kudu. Ke kgale ba kgethollwa mo dilong tše dintši. Kgale be ke tseba go feta mang le mang. Bjalo, ke ge nka hwetša
mošomo wa basadi e be e le go hlokomela bana le go mošomo woo. Ba re : “Rutang bana ditaola le se ye le
hlwekiša ka gae. Gona bjale dilo di fetogile. tšona badimong”. Ke ka lebaka leo ke nyakago go ba
Ka di “90's” basadi e be e le gona ba thapišang megolo , ba molaodi wa dipapadi, go ruta bana dikolong ka tša
ekwa gore go bjang go mela diphego, ka ge e be e le kgale dipapadi, go ba thuša le go ba hlohleletša gore ba raloke.
ba momile melomo. Gona bjale go na le balaodi ba seswai Go tseba mang? Mohlomongwe mo go bona bana bao,
mo Afrika Borwa ba basadi. Se ke mathomo a ntwa ya go go ka tšwa molaodi yo a ka tlago a tšea setulo sa ka ge
tanya mmankwele ka sefu. Banna ba ipoditše gore ge ba mengwaga e se sa dumela.
na le maatla mmeleng ba ka gatelela go ya go ile. Se se bots Go ba molaodi wa dipapadi go ka se be bonolo empa ge
eke gore banna ga ba nyake go ala diatla ge ba bona tshadi e motho a ka ba le kgotlelelo gomme a šoma kudu, a ka se
thoma go eta pele. palelwe. Ke ka fao ke ipoditšeng gore, nka se palelwe ke
Mo Historing ya lefase la rena, banna ke bona ba bego ba selo. Ke tla kgona. Molaodi wa dipapadi nakong ye a
etile pele. Ke ka moo dilo tše dintši di feletšang di hlokomele, nna ke tlo mo tloša setulong.
senyegile, batho ba iketše badimong, tshotlego ya bana le Taki Mfamadi Grade 11
basadi bjalobjalo. Ke ka mo ke reng, nko ye kgolo go dupa
ga e go tsebe. Le mathomong mosadi le monna ba be ba Ke duma gore nka ba
swanetše go thušana bjalo ka Atamo le Efa Ge nka boela bonnyaneng bja ka, ka ba ngwana wa
Taba ye ngwe gape ye e gogelang basadi morago ke mengwaga ye mene gape, nka thaba go feta batho bohle
tshwarompe magareng ga bona. Basadi ba bantši ba na le lefaseng. Ke duma gore nka ba ngwana gape ke dire dilo
lehufa, ebile ga ba nyake go bona ba bangwe ba tšwelela tše di dirwago ke bana, ke raloke letšatši ka moka, ke sa ye
pele maphelong a bona. Nna ke re ga go thuše go ba le sekolong, ke no dula gae le mma.
tseba go motho yo a tlo go thušang ka moso. Nna ke re go Ke be ke lebeletše bana maloba. Ga ke tsebe gore ke ka
basadi: “Aganang ka maswika e sego ka mahlaka. Le baka la eng mogopolo wa ka o no mpotša gore ke dule fase
bontšhe gore seema sa nnete ke “Tša etwa ke ya tshadi pele ke ba lebelele ba ithalokela ba tletše phaka o ka re ke mabu
go ba le tšwelopele”. le matlakala. Bana bao ba nkgokile mahlo le mogopolo ge
ke iphetela ke etšwa sekolong ke eya gae. Ke be ke ba
Tlamelo Ross Grade 11 bona mehleng ba raloka bana ba , eupša ke dio ba bethiša
moya. Tšatši leo nna ga ke tsebe gore go diregile bjang, ga
Ke duma gore nka ba …
Ee, ka moka ga rena re duma gore re ka ba le bokamoso 137PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS
bjo bo botse. Bohle re nyaka go huma, re be le malapa,
dintlo tše di kgahlišago gomme dithuto tša rena di re iše
pele ka bophelo. Le nna ke bjalo, ke duma gore nka ba
molaodi wa dipapadi. Bontši bja batho ba nyaka go ipona
ba le ka morago ga ditafola ba romeletša bangwaledi ba
bona gore ba ba direle dilo ka moka, mola bona ba dutše
fela e le balaodi. Empa nna ke fapana kudu le bona. Nna
ke nyaka go ipona ke le ka ntle ga kantoro, ke le moemedi
le motseta wa dipapadi lefaseng le la Afrika Borwa.
Nkabe ke ngwana morago, ke ka mokgwa woo ke
swanetšego go bona gore ga go na dibaka tšeo di
mphetago ge go etla dipapading ka gobane ga ke nyake go
feleletša ke itshola. Ke ka moo ke lekago go tseba ka ga

Viewpoint Sepedi

se ka no ba feta bjalo ka mehleng, ke ile ka ema ka ntle ga bophelo bo na le tše ntši ka mo gare. Ka lemoga gore ke
phaka ka no ba lebelela. seo baswana ba rego la go hlabela o le orele.
Selo seo se nkgahlilego kudu ka bana ba ke gore ba be ba Vinolia Matome Grade 10
sega ka moka, go se na le o mo tee yo okarego o swabile.
Bana bao ba be ba ba le ditšhilatšhila eupša taba yeo e be e Ke mang ka morago ga ka?
sa lemogwe e bile e sa ba tshwenye le gatee. Ba be ba
kitimišana ba khutelana ba bile ba segana. Bana ba ba ile ba E be e le Labohlano, beke ya go feta, tšatši leo ke bilego le
ntumiša gore nka raloka le bona, eupša go be go ka se toro yela ya go
kgonagale ke gore ke be ke na le mošomo wa gae le ntšhiiša madi a mmele. Ee, ebile ke a gopola gabotse tšeo o
ditlhahlobo letšatši le le latelago. ka re e diregile maabane. Bošego bja gona ke robetše
Batho ba bantši ba ka ganana le nna ge ke re ke duma go bošegogare ka gore ke be ke bogetše “Fear Factor” mo
boela bonnyaneng. Nna ke re bonnyane bja gago ke nako mabonakgoleng. Ba be ba bontšha batho ba go tsoga
ye monate go feta nako tšohle bophelong bja gago, ka gore bahung, ba go etela malapa a bona.
ke yona nako ye e lego gore ga o na mathata goba Šefale ke tsene ka gare ga mapai, lebone ke timile. Sa go
maikarabelo a selo. Nna ga ke dume go gola ge ke nagana ntšhoša la masetlapelo ke gore ke robala ke le nnoši. Ka
mathata ao a sa nkemetšego. kwa ke thoma go imelwa ke mahlo go bontšha gore boroko
Tsholanang Mabaswa Grade 11 bo a tla, eupša ke be ke tšhogile. Ka nako yeo ke ile ka
thoma go nagana ka tšeo ke di bonego mabonakgoleng.
Toro ye bose Pelo ya ka ya thoma go betha ka lebelo. Ka thoma go
Toro ye e thomile ke sepela lefelong la Thailand. Ke be ke nagana ka Mamogolo wa ka yoo a ragileng lepai.
fofela godimo ke bona batho ba go lekana le maronthodi. Ka boripana ke ipone ke šetše ke le ka mabitleng. Ka no
Ge ke fofela godimo ke be ke makala goreng ke sa fihle bona ke sepela ebile o ka re ga ke na le taba, a ke re ba re “go
lefelong la Thailand eupša ke ya godimo le go feta. Ke ile leka noka ga se go wela”. Ge ke sepela ka thoma go kwa
ka kwa gore go na le khutšo marung a. Go be go le go go tšeo o ka re motho o nkgata mehlala. Ge ke iša mahlo ga go
tšhweu marung go kgahliša kudu gomme ke ikwa maatla le motho ka nthago ga ka.
bokgoni bja go dira tšohle. Ka kwa lentšu le le fekeetšago. “Lebo, Lebo, itokiše”, gwa bolela lentšu le lesese. Ge ke re
Ka ikhomolela, ka ya go ikwela. phaphara mma šouwe o a ntsoša gore ke kgone go itokiša,
Gape pele ga toro ye, ke be ke swerwe ke bolwetši bja leoto. ke ye sekolong. Bjale nka se ke ka tseba gore ke mang yo a
Ke palelwa go sepela gabotse, eupša toro ye ya alafa be a nkgoelela nako yela ke le ka mabitleng. Ruri ke kwele.
bolwetši bja ka ge ke ekwa lentšu leo. Lentšu le la Pelo ya ka e nyaka go tšwa ka gare ga kgara ya ka.
nkgothatša pelong le maotong ka feletša ke rotha dikeledi. Lebogang Bopape Grade 10
Nakong yeo ka botšwa diphiri tša go feta tlhaloganyo tša ba
bantši. Ka hwetša bohlale le kwišišo ya bophelo. Ke be ke
hlogonolofaditšwe ke lentšu leo.
Ge ke tsoga, mme a mpotšiša gore ke be ke opela eng
torong ya ka. O be a kgahlegile a feletša a ithuta košana ya
ka e rego, “Tšohle di lokile le Modimo”.
Refilwe Sebothoma Grade 10

Mahlatse a ka! Christy Cheng Gr 12

Go tloga bonyaneng ke godile le batswadi ba ka, bao ba
mpontšhago lerato letšatši le letšatši. Ao ke mahlatse a
magolo ao ke bonago ke a hweditše. Ge re le batho re
swanetše go lebelela tšeo re nago le tšona bophelong.
Ke thomile go bona mahlatse a ka mola ke be ke swanetše
go tlogela batswadi ba ka, gomme ke tlo dula makgoweng
le moratho wa ka. Aowa, mehlolo ga e fele. Ke moo ke
ileng ka thoma go di bona,le go bona gore bophelo ke
semphekgo. Ke rile go dula makgoweng ka hwetša
monyetla wa go bolela le bana bao ba se nago magae
gomme ba dula mebileng. Ke bone setše keledi e rotha
mahlong ge ke ekwa ditaba tša bana ba, le ka moo ba
sokotšeng ka gona. Ba be ba na le mathata a go fapafapana
a go kweša bohloko.
Ke dula ke ipotšiša gore ge nkabe e le nna ke be ke tlo
phomelela. Ruri, ba nthutile tlhompho bathong le go
leboga tšeo ke nago le tšona. Ge nkabe e le nna, ke be ke
tlo felelwa ke tshepo bophelong eupša ba nthutile gore

138PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint French

french
Creative Writing

La vie quotidienne Caileigh Pentz Gr 12
Tu sais, hier matin Maman a acheté une nouvelle voiture!
C'est une Smart. C'est une très jolie voiture et elle est Nous sommes membres d'un club de randonnées. Nous
mignonne aussi! La voiture est bleue metalliste et les jouons au hockey à l'école. Pendant le weekend, nous
sièges sont très confortables. Son coffre n'est pas grand faisons du vélo ensemble. Ça me plaît beaucoup. Les
mais il y a assez de place pour les courses! vacances, nous faisons, naturellement, du shopping et
Mon père et mon frère n'aiment pas la voiture. Mon père nous allons au cinéma ou au café. Nous faisons nos
dit que la voiture de Maman est trop petite et mon frère dit devoirs ensemble et nous partageons aussi nos petits
que la Smart est une mauvaise marque et que la voiture est secrets.
vilaine! Mon frère déteste la voiture! Jenny est une amie fidèle. Elle est généreuse, gentille et
Mon père dit à Maman: “C'est ta voiture, je n'aime pas ça, compréhensive. Elle est quelqu'un sur qui je peux
mais fais comme tu veux!” compter. Jenny est très drôle et elle a l'esprit positif. Elle
Et Maman? Eh bien, elle adore sa voiture! Quand elle va n'est jamais jalouse ni possessive. Jenny est une vraie amie
en ville, tout le monde la regarde parce qu'elle conduit très et nous avons une amitié profonde. Elle sera là dès que
vite! j'aurai besoin d'elle. C'est pourquoi elle est ma meilleure
Et toi, qu'est-ce que tu as comme voiture? amie.
Shreya Venkatkumar Grade 10 Jody Mallinson Grade 11

Souvenirs d enfance 139PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS
Quand j'avais dix ans, nous habitions dans une maison
très agréable. Cette maison avait deux étages avec un
escalier pour monter et descendre. J'avais une grande
chambre bleue et j'y étais très contente.
Ma soeur et moi, nous jouions dans le jardin et nagions
dans la piscine. Je me rappelle bien que mon père
travaillait dans le garage quand nous jouions avec les
chiens. Après, nous aidions ma mère à préparer le dîner.
Quelles belles mémoires!
Susan Spangenberg Grade 10

Ma meilleure amie
J'ai une amie superbe! Mon amie est quelqu'un de proche,
pas n'importe qui. Elle est meilleure qu'une simple
camarade de classe. Qui est-ce? C'est ma meilleure
copine, Jenny.
Pour moi, Jenny est quelqu'un d'indispensable. Nous
sommes dans la même classe le matin, mais nous nous
sommes rencontrées seulement l'année dernière. Nous
étions dans la même classe de français à l'école. Nous
étions assises l'une à côté de l'autre et bientôt, nous avons
engagé la conversation. Ainsi nous avons passé à l'amitié.
Donc nous avons passé une bonne partie de la classe de
français en bavardant! Notre amitié a évolué très vite.
Jenny est comme moi. Nous faisons tous ensemble.

Viewpoint French

Mes valeurs Maria Ferreira Gr 12
Je crois que c'est très important d'avoir les valeurs dans
la vie, des valeurs qui vont m'aider à faire des decisions Mes valeurs et mes heros
correctes chaque jour. La moralité et les éthiques me sont très importantes. Je
Pour moi, comme pour beaucoup de gens, c'est mon suis athée alors les deux sont indispensables pour une
lien de parenté qui m'est très important parce que les bonne manière de vivre.
members de ma famille sont les gens que je vois tout le En priorité, on doit respecter tous les autres. Cela devrait
temps. Nous avons des disputes, oui, mais ils sont être le principe et la raison d'être. L'honnêteté, la fidélité,
toujours là pour moi. la générosité et l'amitié sont aussi importantes pour une
Les autres gens qui sont aussi importants que ma societé qui est respectée et qui réussit. La devise de la
famille sont mes amis. L'amitié est quelque chose de France est un bon exemple: liberté, égalité, fraternité. Si
vraiment spéciale. On doit protéger ses liens avec des tous les gens comprennent vraiment ce que je dis, il n'y
amis pour avoir de bons souvenirs à travers toute la vie. aura ni guerre, ni viol, ni vol, ni corruption, ni trahison… .
Donc, les valeurs d'honnêteté, de fidélité et de L'avidité n'est pas une bonne chose. Une vie superficielle
responsabilité sont les plus importantes. Je fais de se terminera dans de la tristesse et de la souffrance.
mon mieux avec tout ce que je fais et j'essaie de voir la Parmi les personnes que j'admire le plus, il y a Nelson
joie dans chaque situation dans ma vie. Mandela, la mère Thérèse et Mahatma Gandhi. Nelson
Je n'ai pas de héros célèbres parce que je pense que Mandela et Gandhi sont les personages historiques qui
c'est un peu matérialiste. Nous sommes tous ont fait beaucoup pour leur peuple. C'étaient des chefs
individuels et personne n'est parfait! Tout le monde a admirables qui ont dévoué leur vie à la paix. Nelson
ses problèmes et, à mon avis, c'est mieux d'apprendre à Mandela a montré le meilleur exemple à l'Afrique du Sud
connaître des gens qui sont près de moi. C'est et au monde entier. Il a lutté pour les droits de l'homme et
simplement plus réaliste et sérieux. Et bien sûr, les la liberté de son peuple.
activités des célébrités à Hollywood y sont simplement Tous les deux ont fait preuve de courage, de compassion
pour l'effet! et de désintérêt. Alors, ce sont les gens que je respecte les
J'adore la vie simple. Oui, je voudrais gagner hommes qui méritent vraiment d'être appelés “des
beaucoup d'argent, mais je ne veux jamais changer ma héros”!
personalité ni perdre mes amis. Ces deux aspects de
ma vie sont indispensables! Lisa Lau Grade 12
Vanessa Ruhlig Grade 12

Caitlin Greenberg Gr 12

140PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint French

Un conte de fees africain lui a donné une petite vache.
Voilà un conte du Nigéria très bizarre et très drôle… La tortue a poursuivi son chemin vers la forêt. Dans la forêt
Il était une fois une tortue qui faisait pousser des haricots elle a croisé quelques hommes qui portaient le cadavre d'une
dans son jardin. Un matin elle est allée au marché pour les jeune fille. Les hommes avaient très faim alors ils ont tué et
vendre. Elle s'est installée à côté d'une femme qui vendait mangé la petite vache, mais comme ils étaient pauvres ils
des poules. Celles-ci se sont échappées et ont mangé les n'avaient rien à donner à la tortue. La tortue a donc demandé
haricots de la tortue. La tortue était très fâchée et a le cadavre de la jeune fille et elle a continué son chemin.
demandé une récompense. Sa voisine lui a offert une poule La nuit est vite tombée et la tortue a frappé à la porte du roi et
et la tortue est partie bien contente. lui a demandé une chambre pour la nuit. Le roi a accepté,
Elle s'est arrêtée pour la nuit chez un vieil homme. Il a mis la mais il n'y avait pas de chambre libre alors la tortue a glissé le
poule de la tortue avec les siennes, mais le lendemain elle cadavre de la jeune fille dans le lit de la princesse. Le
était morte, tuée par les autres poules. Le vieil homme a lendemain matin la tortue était prête à partir, mais elle a dit au
alors donné un chevreau à la tortue comme reparation. roi que sa femme dormait encore alors le roi est allé la
Finalement la tortue a continué son chemin. A midi elle a réveiller, mais il a trouvé qu'elle était morte. La tortue
voulu se reposer, alors elle a demandé à un berger de demandé la fille du roi en échange. C'était ainsi que la tortue
s'occuper de son chevreau, mais tout à coup une vache s'est a épousé la fille du roi. C'était vraiment une tortue rusée qui a
précipitée sur le chevreau et l'a tué d'un seul coup de corne. eu beaucoup de chance!
La tortue s'est mise à pleurer et comme reparation le berger
Eléonore Haupt Grade 11

Eloise Badenhorst Gr 12 Anita Gioia Gr 12

141PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint German

German
Creative Writing

Nix Als Arger Ich liebe moderne und teure Klamotten, aber ich glaube,
dass man einen Menschen nicht nach den Klamotten
Tu dies und tu das. beurteilen soll. Wenn ich schöne und teure Klamotten
sehe, dann kaufe ich sie nicht. Stattdessen bin ich kreativ
Ich ärgere mich, wenn Leute mir vorsagen was ich tun und improvisiere.
muss. Es ist anders, wenn Leute 'bitte' sagen oder wenn Zum Beispiel: Ich habe eine teure und herrliche
ich ihnen einen Gefallen tue, aber, wenn sie herrisch sind Handtasche gesehen. Nun habe ich eine ähnliche
und ich etwas nicht tun will, dann tue ich das nicht. Zum Handtasche gemacht.
Beispiel: ich ärgere mich wenn Leute mir vorsagen was Ich habe nicht mein Geld und meine Zeit verschwendet
ich anziehen muss oder wie ich ein Projekt tun muss. Ich mit teuren und zu kleinen Klamotten.
werde nach Hause kommen und meinem Vater von Ich habe meinen eigenen Stil und das ist wichtig!
meinem Projekt erzählen. Er sagt dann manchmal nicht, Natalie Milroy Grade 11
dass ich eine gute Idee habe, aber: „Warum tust du das
nicht auf dieser gewissen Weise?” Alle Guten Dinge sind drei - oder?
Ich ärgere mich auch, wenn ich nicht sagen kann was ich 24, Juli 2004 war mein schlechtester Tag~ Nichts ist
denke, weil Leute arrogant und engstirnig sind. Wenn ich recht verlaufen. Das kleinste von meinen Probleme war,
dann meine Meinung sagen will, dann sagen manche dass ich zu spät geschlaften habe.
Leute: „Sei nicht so frech!” Zum Beispiel: ich ärgere Erstens haben wir Biologie gehabt. Das ist mein
mich wenn jemand sich mit mir streitet, vielleicht über Lieblingfach und ich become ein A. Aber heute! Heute
einen Film, und nicht nach mir hören will, selbst wenn ich
tatsächlich weiß, dass ich recht habe. Ich spreche dann in
einer normalen Stimme und versuche ruhig zu bleiben,
aber ich werde meine Meinung sagen. Manchmal, wenn
die Eltern sehr ärgerlich sind, dann bleibe ich still.
Im allgemeinen verstehe ich mich gut mit meinen Eltern
und anderen Leuten und ich bin nicht engstirnig oder
schlecht gelaunt.
Anita Gioia Grade 11

Nix Als Arger Lavender Mashinini Gr 8
Sieh mal! Da ist eine billige Hose! Nein, die passt nicht!
Sieh mal! Da ist eine moderne Handtasche. Nein, die ist
zu treuer!
Mein Herz wird glücklich und ein Lächeln bedeckt mein
Gesicht wenn meine Mutter sagt, “Natalie, wir können
einkaufen gehen!” Fünf Studen später ist mein Herz
gebrochen.
Warum?
Ich werde sehr traurig, wenn ich sehr schöne Kleider
sehe, die nicht passen und dick machen.
Hast du gewusst, dass vierzig Prozent der Mädchen
Magersucht haben? Ich finde das nicht überraschend,
weil schöne Kleider nur eine einzige kleine Grösse haben!
Und die modernen Kleider sind sehr treuer!
Ich habe eine Lösung:

142PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Viewpoint German

kriege ich ein C! Ich dachte, dass ist unmöglich aber nein, ich
habe ein C für Biologie. Ich wollte weinen, aber wußte, dass es
nicht helfen würde. Ich denke an nichts anders als mein C!
Später habe ich Kopschmerzen von diesen giftigen Gedanken.
Pause sagt Richard, er muss mich sehen. Wir essen allein
zusammen und er erzählt mir, daß er denkt, es ist besser, daß
wir andere Freunde sehen. Ich kann das nicht glauben! Wir
waren mehr als beste, beste Freunde gewesen. Jetzt lässt er
mich ohne Grund. Wie ungerecht!!
Nach meiner Matheprüfung fahre ich unglücklig nach Hause.
Bei der Stopstraße fährt ein Auto mich um, ich weiss nicht, was
passiert ist, wie oder warum ich jetzt im Krankenhaus bin.
Alles, was passieren könnte, ist falsch gelaufen. Zum Glück
wusste ich, dass ich nur bewustlos war, und keine
zerschmetterten Beine habe. Ich bin sehr glücklich. Mein
Körper tut weh, aber es ist nicht ernst. Ich muß heute Abend
im Krankenhaus bleiben, und darf morgen nach Hause gehen.
25, Juli 2004: Richard besucht mich mit Blumen und sagt,
“Ich habe wieder nachgedacht. Ich kann nicht ohne dich
leben, und will wissen ob wir noch einmal probieren können?
Ich weiss nicht, was um zu sagen. Ich denke, „also, jetzt bin
ich gut genug?” Aber dann denke ich, „Ich liebe ihn zu viel
um, „nein” zu sagen”. Er küsst mich und sagt, „Ich liebe dich.
Vor dem ich vergesse, Frau van Wyk schickt dass.” Es ist ein
Brief. Da steht: „Ich hoffe, es geht gut? Du hast nicht ein C
bekommen. Tut mir wirklich leid. Es ist ein A. Ich habe nicht
alle Punkte zusammen gezählt.”
Jetzt geht es viel besser. Drei ist nicht eine glückliche
Nummer. Aber am 25. Juli 2004, merke ich, dass alle guten
Dinge drei sind.
Jean-Mari Steyn Grade 12

Jennifer Wang Gr 12

Kory-Li Shukrani Gr 10 143PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

HAPPENINGS Prefects Camp

Prefects Induction

144PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Organ Restored

Organ Restored HAPPENINGS

T The organ at Pretoria High School for Girls was installed in 1920 every part, and carefully assembled it again, elevating it by two
as a second-hand instrument. Now, 85 years later, two months metres. An evening was set aside in June to inaugurate the new
were spent restoring and raising the organ, which for many years organ. This included delightful music performances by
was not wholly visible from the bottom of the assembly hall. professional musicians such as Prof Wim Viljoen (organ
The organ restorer, Jan Zielman, carefully took it apart, marked lecturer at the University of Pretoria) and staff of the school.

145PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

HAPPENINGS grade Camp

146PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

Inter--House Gala Inter- house Gala
HAPPENINGS
147PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS

HAPPENINGS Inter-high Gala

Inter-High Gala

148PHSG 1902 – 2005 • THE IRIS