Rector’s eNews 17: 27 May 2026

On Wednesday last week, just before the half term break, a remarkable and deeply significant rite of passage took place. A group of over 200 boys from C to A Block, alongside many staff members and several Old Boys, took on the annual 52km iNhlosane hike. While this was covered briefly on our social media channels last week, the significance of this event within the life of the school warrants further mention here.

Leaving Michaelhouse just after midnight, the group trekked through the night across local farmland, for which we owe a debt of gratitude to our neighbouring farmers who generously open their gates to us each year. The route took them up the slopes of iNhlosane and back to campus over the course of the day.

Completing this 52-kilometer journey is a genuine test of physical endurance and mental grit. Those who finish the full distance earn the right to sign the iNhlosane Journal, joining generations of Michaelhouse boys who have marked this tradition before them. It very importantly reminds the boys that the resilience required to finish the challenge is exactly what will see them through the broader challenges of life.

The reflections from this year’s finishers captured the varied realities of the challenge well, ranging from the triumphant to the characteristically blunt: “Incredible”, “Hardest thing I’ve done”, “Too easy!” (Spoken like a true A Blocker!), “RIP my foot skin”, “Grateful for legs” and “For the glory of God”.

These types of positive traditions are so vital to the life of the school. An event like this does not happen without a massive ecosystem of support. My sincere thanks go to the staff who walked alongside the boys (and those who managed the logistics and manned the checkpoints), our local farmers for their support, and the Old Boys who returned to lace up their boots once more.

The first boy in and first overall was Duncan Roberts (B Block East) in a time of 9:59:33. The first staff member in and 2nd overall was Mr Lwando Saunders, followed by Mr Paul Snyman and Mr Stuart Roberts. Ilan Nel (A Block Ralfe) was the 2nd boy home and 5th overall. Congratulations to all the boys and staff who added their names to the journal this year.

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