MICHAELA THIKESON

The honours dinner of 2022 was a graceful evening filled with knowledge, history and unexpected heartache as Mrs Imelita van der Berg, the guest speaker, announced that she would be retiring at the end of this year. 

Mrs Van der Berg started her journey with St Michael’s seventeen years ago and that that journey now nears its conclusion is not easy for St Michael’s ladies to accept. As Dr. Johan Cromhout read the short stories 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.

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. There was no cyberbullying, for obvious reasons, and there was very little physical bullying. Mrs Van der Berg was able to experience sisterhood at school and she wished for all to be a part of that sisterhood. 

St Michael’s will have to prepare herself for a saddening goodbye; however, she will remain an important pillar of the St Michael’s family forever.

Silver Laureates, the highest award St Michael’s can give, were awarded to Kelebogile Manchu, Nondumiso Masithela, Nkgatliseng Motheogane, Boitumelo Mtsatse and Nthabiseng Kibinya in recognition of their academic, sport and cultural effort as well as of character.

The remainder of the evening was filled with music from the marimba band, delicious food organised by Mrs Seugnet Pietersen and Mrs Hilda Faber and beautiful decorations arranged by Mrs Anel Ries. This evening, held to celebrate the top achievers of St Michael’s, will not be forgotten.