Maritzburg College, the oldest boys’ school in KZN, continued its annual tradition recently by adding 4 new names for the year 2021 to its custom of honouring and celebrating its “Friends of College”.
Written by Maritzburg College

Maritzburg College has welcomed 4 new members into its “Friends of College” ranks. Started in 1994, this group was created to recognise, honour and celebrate people who, in a variety of ways, have given service to the school and to education. To date, there are over 120 members of the “Friends of College”, some of whom were present in the Victoria Hall on Friday evening, 4^th June to welcome the newest members.

This year, Maritzburg College paid tribute to Dr Erna de Lange, Dr Lawrence Kriel, Mr Bruce Lesur and Mr Angus MacDonald.

Feature pic (from left to right): Maritzburg College headmaster Mr Chris Luman with the school’s latest ‘Friends of College” – Dr Lawrence Kriel, Dr Erna de Lange, Mr Bruce Lesur and Mr Angus MacDonald.

Dr Erna de Lange has spent a lifetime in education, obtaining her doctorate on the value of structured pre-formal education, which later became the Grade R model currently used in schools. She has served as a principal and later as a lecturer in the field of Education Management, Education Law and Professional Ethics.

Erna has also served as both Trustee and later Provincial Executive Officer of the KZN chapter of the Governing Body Foundation. She is known to be an outspoken advocate, championing and supporting Governing Bodies and principals, as they charter often complicated waters of leadership.

A font of knowledge and advice, an inspirational mentor and a voice of sound, calm reason for many principals, Erna has had a long association with Maritzburg College, providing incredible support and always having the school’s best interests at heart – a true “Friend of College”.

Dr Lawrence Kriel’s journey at Maritzburg College started in 2012 when his son Jared entered 2nd form (grade 8) and he began assisting at the first-aid facility at Goldstones, working with Sister Ann, Ms Greyling, the paramedics, and later Sister Kylie.

From stitching to diagnosing, Lawrence has looked after countless College boys over the years, mainly rugby players, but also sometimes the hockey lads and even a spectator or two, and continued to assist College long after his son matriculated in 2016, right up to 2019, before Covid put an end to school sport.

The high quality of Maritzburg College’s first aid service is the envy of many schools around South Africa and, at times has been the benchmark for many other schools. This is, in part, due to the input of doctors like Lawrence Kriel – a real “Friend of College”.

Angus McDonald arrived at Maritzburg College from Eshowe in January 1996 and, in time, became a prefect, represented the school at athletics and played for the 2^nd cricket XI and the 2^nd rugby XV.

Having successfully headed up the Zululand Rugby Academy for 4 years, Angus joined the College staff as the Director of Rugby in late 2008, holding the position until the end of 2010, when he returned to Zululand. During his tenure at College, Angus showed himself to be not only endlessly energetic and passionate, but also engaging and compassionate, and was well liked and respected by staff, Old Boys and parents.

Angus has remained a roving Ambassador-at-Large for the school in Zululand, regularly encouraging promising young men to apply to College, and has also been financially very supportive of various boys, as well as of the school’s Skonk Nicholson Rugby Festival – he remains a most worthy “Friend of College”.

Bruce Lesur matriculated from College in 1989 and is currently a farmer in the Umshwathi area, where he lives with his wife Michelle. Their son Gary matriculated from College in 2018 as a 5th generation College Boy. Bruce played 1^st team rugby for Maritzburg College in 1989 and was fearsome in both attack and defence – a typical “College boy” trait that his son, Gary, emulated when representing the 1^st rugby team himself.

It was during this time that Bruce showed his tremendous ability to lead, and his willingness to give of his time and expertise for College, both as a parent and Old Boy, serving on various committees and eventually as President of the Maritzburg College Old Boys’ Association.

Bruce has continued his involvement in the Association and currently serves as its vice-president. Maritzburg College recognises the loyalty, goodwill and incredible contribution Bruce has made to the school – a true “Friend of College”.

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