Welcome to the Michaelmas 2021 edition of VITA, our termly magazine that celebrates the richness and depth of St John's life.
In this edition, we welcome one of our Old Johannians, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg, Professor Tshildzi Marwala, who reflects on the enduring value of humanism and the liberal arts degree. We celebrate the exceptional contribution from Kate Byrne, who left St John's at the end of last year after 40 years of inspirational service as a teacher, Head of French and Head of Sixth Form. We pay tribute to a great South African and courageous human, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu, acutely missed.
We also profile several exceptional Old Johannians, including genre-bending artist Nthato Mokgata, new Guinness World Record Holder Henry Cock, and author and public intellectual Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh.
Read our Headmaster of St John's Preparatory, Lester Lalla's consideration of the relationship between built spaces and pedagogy in the context of the recently constructed Prep buildings; a celebration of the power of storytelling in a thoughtful article by author and St John's English and Drama teacher, Dr Craig Higginson, Fr Thapelo Masemola's reflections on the relationship between grief and hope; and Thulani Khanyile's recollections of his time as a student at St John's during the height of Apartheid.
VITA is your magazine, and we are always looking to share with our community the stories of Johannians, old and new. If you have any letters, news, memories or stories, please be in touch via [email protected]
Wishing you all the best for a healthy and happy 2022.
- Jacqui Deeks, Editor