Rector’s eNews 28: 10 September 2025

Heritage Day will be celebrated in South Africa in a couple of weeks time on 24 September but, by then, our boys and staff will be spreadeagled over different venues from the examination hall to leadership programmes and to outdoor exercises such as the C Block Journey or other expeditions. And so, recognising the importance of our young people growing to understand and appreciate their own and different cultures within the context of the Rainbow Nation, we have bought forward our focus on addressing the challenges of multi-culturalism and diversity to this week.

As Mr Tim Jarvis, our school counsellor, has pointed out in his briefing of our tutors knowing your heritage is not only about family trees or cultural symbols. It is about understanding the values, beliefs, languages and customs that have been passed down to you. These things shape how you view the world – and how you view yourself. Your heritage is often the first layer of your identity. It offers a foundation and gives you a sense of belonging. When you feel like you belong, it strengthens your self-worth and confidence. This foundation helps you to decide what to keep, what to change and how to express yourself in a way that feels genuine.

As Achieve Careers suggests, a question related to who I am is not simple and we are encouraging our boys to return to this question often because our identity is always developing.  Identity is not fixed. It is, rather, shaped by one’s heritage, one’s choices, one’s community and where you focus your attention. This Heritage Day, we are encouraging our boys to take a moment to honour who they are and who they are becoming. Identity is made up of several layers. Psychologist, Carl Rogers, believed that self-concept includes: ideal self – the person who you want to be; self-image – how you see yourself; and self-esteem – how much you like and value yourself.

When these are aligned, we feel authentic and confident but when these are out of alignment we might feel lost or unsure. That is why it is important to understand what shapes self-image. Our social identity, the labels and roles we take on throughout communities, such as being part of a sports team, another school group such as a tutor group or a cultural organisation such as a choir, also influences how we see ourselves.

This week the boys have been or will be addressed by two powerful and influential speakers: Dr Thandeka Mdlalo and Mr Matthew Willman. They will also have some fun activities such as a very keenly contested Inter-House potjie competition and, on Friday, they will be able to wear dress in line with their culture or heritage. We hope all of these activities will enhance nation-building, respect for others and respect for our own traditions.

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