At an incredible 102 years old, Mr Swanepoel (affectionately known as the “Oldest Old Boy”) reunited with his former school to celebrate with the youngsters at the annual inter-house athletics championship!
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (27 January 2025) — Almost a century ago, Mr Piet Swanepoel was not all that different from the youngsters who attend Maritzburg College in Pietermaritzburg today. Then, he couldn’t have possibly known that he’d go on to become the ‘Oldest Old Boy’, an honour that celebrates both a long life and its humble beginnings.
‘The Oldest Old Boy’ recently took a trip down memory lane in what was a very rare, full-circle moment at the Msunduzi Athletics Stadium.
At an incredible 102-years-old, Mr Swanepoel joined in on the festivities underway in light of the school’s annual inter-house athletics championship. Lore has it that Mr Swanepoel was quite the athlete himself back in the day, boasting championship titles for the u1 100, 220 and 440 yards in 1937 when he competed.
Arriving at the stadium, Mr Swanepoel was met with an extra-special standing ovation from the crowds. He then took to the blue track to congratulate the u15 100m race winner, Lian Bezidenhout, on his achievements—one track star from bygone decades to another.
For Maritzburg College, the moment was one filled with honour. After all, how many schools can say their ‘Oldest Old Boy’ has seen everything from the start of colour television to the development of Artificial Intelligence?
Meanwhile, in other news where time and honour held hands, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens recently celebrated a bitter-sweet farewell to four legendary retirees who had collectively given the glorious garden 150 years!
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