Front from left: Ms Marilyn Pugsley, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, Mrs Nina van Jaarsveld and Mrs Jane Meyerowitz. Back: Mr Tom White, Mrs Kirsty Pratt, Mr Paul Pratt and Mr Nick Meyerowitz.Ansell May Hall Reunion Honours the “Glorious Years”
Close to a year’s planning came together recently when Ansell May Hall held a reunion in Durban with the theme: “The Glorious Years: 1970 – 1980”.
About 70 ex-residents gathered on a Friday night for a “boys only” renewal of friendships and reconnecting. One of the most notable participants was Mr Basil Hageman (83) who, interestingly, was among the first residents of Ansell May Hall when it was completed in 1952.
The early part of Saturday was taken up by golf and numerous small groups of old friends and partners renewing contacts over lunch in venues all over Durban and on the North Coast.
The main event was a Gala Dinner on Saturday night. Guests of honour included UKZN Vice-Chancellor, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, and outgoing Executive Director of the UKZN Foundation, Mrs Jane Meyerowitz, and their spouses. The 120 guests were entertained by a humorous review of the “Glorious Years” by Master of Ceremonies, Paul Vonk. The formal part of the dinner was completed by van Jaarsveld who provided an overview titled: “UKZN – Achievements and Challenges”.
The dinner also saw the launch of the Ansell May Hall Legacy Bursary Fund which aims to provide a bursary to a final year Ansell May Hall resident. It will be supported by ex- and future residents of Ansell May/David Webster Hall in appreciation of “glorious years spent in residence”. The bursary will recognise the contribution of residence life and the camaraderie of life-long friendships in their development and success, and further honours the memory of deceased friends.
One of the highlights of the reunion activities was the publication of Alfie – 2016. Alfie was the Ansell May residence magazine of those years. The 2016 edition included many old photographs, extracts from old Alfies, stories and fables about the “glorious years”. It is one-of-a-kind record of some of the best years of student life.
* For more information on the bursary or a copy of Alfie – 2016 contact Tom White at: conspect@mweb.co.za
Tom White