Remembering Ross Chembe Tomlinson
2 February 2006 – 16 February 2026
Ross joined St John’s Sixth Form in January 2024 after completing his IGCSE Levels at Chengelo Secondary School in Zambia, bringing with him a warmth, energy and quiet confidence that quickly made him known to all of us. He carried himself with an ease that reflected both independence and humility. He was a young man comfortable in who he was, yet always open to others.
There was, in Ross, a genuine passion for life. He embraced his time at school not simply as a series of obligations, but as opportunities to grow and live life to its fullest. He loved the outdoors and was most at home in movement: on the sports field, in open spaces, in the shared exhilaration of competition and camaraderie. Sport was not only something he played or watched; it was something he felt deeply. In boarding, there would often be shouts of despair or joy echoing down the corridors during football matches, moments of shared tension and celebration that drew others in.
Alongside his vitality was a slight mischievous streak — never unkind or inappropriate, but always enough to remind us that joy and humour are part of a life well lived. He enjoyed conversation, often layered with banter, especially during study breaks. It was in these small, ordinary moments that Ross helped build something larger. Ms Gerda Oosthuysen, his Boarding House parent, remembers that he was central to creating a sense of community in the house. He was someone who naturally gathered others around him.
Mr Banale Booi, his Tutor, spoke of Ross’s quiet determination and his incredible ability to form meaningful connections. That determination showed itself academically. Ms Ginny De Villiers recalls a dedicated and engaged Mathematics student who worked consistently to understand the concepts taught. Ms Angela Phocas remembers him as a confident communicator in Environmental Management, and Mr Nicholas Nyachowe was delighted when Ross chose to pursue a future in commerce, recognising both his aptitude and his potential in the field.
Ross was respectful to his teachers, peers, and the institutions that shaped him. He was well-liked, not because he sought attention, but because he was genuine. He listened. He included. He showed up. He built friendships that were steady and sincere.
Head of Sixth Form, Mr Paul Emant, reflected on Ross’s incredible potential and his commitment to the African continent, particularly Zambia. He carried with him a sense of belonging to something larger than himself. Ross spoke of the future not in abstract terms, but with a desire to contribute meaningfully to his country and to the continent he loved.
In remembering Ross, we remember a Johannian who lived fully in the years he was given — spirited, kind, determined, and deeply connected to those around him. His time with us was far too short, but the imprint of his presence — in classrooms, on sports fields, in boarding corridors filled with laughter and football commentary — will remain with us always. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his friends during this time.
He is survived by his mother, Fiona, his sisters and family.