MICHAELA THIKESON

Acknowledgement, glamour, history, and unpredicted heartache – that is what the 2022 Honours Dinner was made of. Mrs Imelita van der Berg, the guest speaker, announced that she would be retiring at the end of this year. 

Mrs Van der Berg, who is also an Old Girl of St Michael’s, started her journey with the school seventeen years ago and the fact that that journey now nears its conclusion is not easy for St Michael’s learners to accept. As Dr Johan Cromhout read some of the essays she had written at the age of thirteen, one could immediately tell why she had become an English teacher. Her proficiency in the language was evident at a very young age.

In her speech, she shared that when she started her journey at St Michael’s, she discovered how important it was to be a part of this family. She discovered that each girl had a place, whether you were an academic nerd or someone who excelled in sports. In her time there was obviously no cyberbullying, and there was very little physical bullying. Mrs Van der Berg experienced sisterhood at St Michael’s and she wished for all SMS girls to be a part of that sisterhood. 

St Michael’s will have to prepare for a sombre goodbye; however, Mrs Van der Berg will remain an important pillar of the St Michael’s family forever.

 At the Honours Dinner, Silver Laureates, the highest award St Michael’s can bestow, were awarded to Kelebogile Manchu, Nondumiso Masithela, Nkgatliseng Motheogane, Boitumelo Mtsatse, and Nthabiseng Kibinye in recognition of exceptional effort in academics, neatness, and diligence, participation in extra-mural activities and strength of character.

The remainder of the stylish event was filled with ‘all things nice’ – music by the marimba band, delicious food organised by Mrs Seugnet Pietersen and Mrs Hilda Faber, and beautiful decorations arranged by Mrs Anel Ries.