On Wednesday 27 November 2024, the Gauteng and Northern Province ODs gathered at the Country Club in Johannesburg, for their Annual Dinner. 

More than thirty ODs and one guest attended this wonderful event, in Bishops' 175th year. 

The grand efforts of Warwick Smith-Chandler (1975S) and Luthando Matsaluka (1992F) are highly appreciated by the ODs from Gauteng & Northern Province and by the ODU in Cape Town. 

Messages of congratulations were sent from the ODU in Cape Town, from the Chair Martin Bey (1990B) and the Old Diocesans Ambassador Paul Murray (Staff 1991 - ).  

Lynn Swanevelder of the ODU Office in Cape Town provided much support to promote the event.

After Covid, we managed to rejuvenate the Branch in 2023 with a small gathering of around twenty ODs at St John's College in October.  Today we see the Gauteng and Northern Province Branch activities being consolidated under the leadership of Warwick and Luthando.

The year 2025 augurs to be another highly successful event and by all accounts, it is not to be missed!

The speaker for this year's gathering was OD Rohan Vos (1964S), whose story that he shared was compelling for ODs wanting to be entrepreneurs.  Facing challenges and making a comeback, defying all barriers towards a financially successful business, was the strong message.  

Today Rohan and his year of Leavers meet regularly at events that they arrange, in the true spirit of ODs connecting and engaging!

In the feature photograph [thanks to ODs and in particular, Philip Pare (1975F&O) for assisting with sorting names]: Back row are: Vaughan Harries (2006O); Craig Lorden (1993F); Timothy Morake (2008W); Mandla Huna (1995F); Andrew Wills (2003M); Scott Rogers (2006W); Mike Dickinson (2006G); Shaun Busakwe (1995S); Nono Pongolo (2007S); Matthew Trisos (2006B); Mark Tait (2006); Saad Chothia (2004B); Tshepo Mogale (1995S); James Wilson (1991W); Michelle Clarke, guest; Nicholas Lassen (2008B) and Oliver Wills (1997K).

Second Row: David Rhoodie (1998S); Michael Wilson (2006G); Makis Laskarides (2006O); Anthony Stacey (1975O); Warwick Jones (1961S); Rohan Vos (1964S); Crispian Stanford (1968S); Phillip Pare (1975F/O); Warwick Smith-Chandler (1975S); Luthando Matsaluka (1992F) (seated).

Reclining: David von Hoesslin (1992S) and Ian Armstrong (2005F).

Present at the dinner but absent in the photograph:  Graeme Steen (2005M) and Jaime Manuel (2009O).  

Phtograph above: Gauteng and Northern Province ODs celebrating their dinner at the Country Club.

Phtograph above: OD Rohan Vos speaking at the Dinner.

Photograph above: some of the special wine served at functions in Bishops' 175th year.