Cordwalles Preparatory School Old Boys' Club

𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝟮𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴
Some friendships never fade - they simply pick up where they left off.

Recently, Cordwalles Old Boy Sibusiso Shelembe (Baines, Class of 2000) travelled to the United States carrying something very special in his luggage: a Cordwalles Old Boys’ cap for his lifelong friend and fellow Old Boy, Dr Rhorie “Koos Kombuis” Kerr (Baines, Class of 2000).

Their story began long before they became Cordwalles boys. The pair first met at Sunnylea Pre-Primary before joining Mrs Usher’s Class 0 in 1993. From there, they journeyed through every year at Cordwalles together, graduating as part of the memorable Millennium Leavers of 2000. In 2001, they both headed to Michaelhouse before the Kerr family emigrated to the United States later that year.

Twenty-five years after Rhorie’s departure from South Africa, the two friends were finally reunited in person.

The presentation of the Old Boys’ cap was more than a gift - it was a reminder that no matter where life takes our Old Boys, they remain part of the Cordwalles brotherhood. Across continents and decades, the bonds formed in the classrooms and on the sports fields of Cordwalles continue to endure.

Thank you, Sibs, for proudly flying the Cordwalles flag overseas and helping keep the Old Boys’ connections alive.

Always proud to see our Cordwalles Old Boys making their mark beyond the Cordies gates. ⚽

Congratulations to Cordwalles Old Boys Dumisane Mwakalombe (Class of 2025) and Jayden Wiltwer (Class of 2023) on their selection for the Midlands Soccer teams. Dumisane was selected for the U14 team and Jayden was selected for the U16 team.

If these photos could talk, what stories would they tell?
Who crossed the finish line first? Which House was the loudest? Who insisted they were robbed of first place?

Recently uncovered in our archives, these photos capture Athletics Day at Cordwalles in 1940.

If there's one thing we're sure of, it's this: House pride, fierce rivalry and the determination to beat the other House have been part of Inter-House Athletics Day at Cordwalles for generations.

Congratulations to Cordwalles Old Boys, Rourke Champkins (Class of 2024) and Jacob Pooler (Class of 2025) on their performances at the Impi Hard Enduro.

Rourke successfully completed the gruelling three-day Bronze Class, and Jacob competed in the Iron Class, climbing from 205th after the time trial to finish 89th overall.

We look forward to cheering them on when they take on the Roof of Africa in September.

Congratulations to Cordwalles Old Boy, Sahil Naidoo (Class of 2025) on his performance at the National Premier Cricket League in Mpumalanga.

Representing the KwaZulu-Natal Central Rebels, Sahil finished the tournament ranked No. 27 among South Africa's U14 cricketers.

Congratulations on this well deserved achievement. We look forward to following your journey.

Congratulations to Cordwalles Old Boys, Jim Brooke-Leggatt (Class of 2023) and William Eustace (Class of 2022) on being selected for the 2026 South African Junior Boys Polo Team.

We wish you both every success as you represent South Africa at the Junior Internationals.

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 “𝗪” 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗯𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵?

While clearing out the attic at Cordwalles, a space we believe may once have served as a dorm for boarders, we stumbled upon something unexpected - an old suitcase marked with the initial “W.” Naturally, one name came to mind, Wilbur Smith.

What makes the mystery even more fascinating is the old Rhodesia sticker still attached to the suitcase, a small clue that caught our attention, as Wilbur travelled between Rhodesia and Natal during his school years.

We couldn’t help wondering what it once carried, school books, cricket gear, tuck or maybe the early sparks of stories that would one day captivate millions.
Sadly, no unpublished manuscripts were found (yes, we checked).

What we do know is that finds like this offer a wonderful glimpse into the rich history of Cordwalles and the many boys who have walked through our red brick arches over the years. - Stef Ortmann (Archivist)

We are proud to announce the following high school scholarships awarded to our Grade 7 boys for 2027.
This reinforces the holistic nature of a Cordwalles education, where boys fully engage in the opportunities afforded to them and excel across many different areas.

𝗦𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲
L. Carroll: Academic Scholarship
S. Naidoo: Academic Scholarship
D. Padiachy: Academic Scholarship

𝗛𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲
D. Blomeyer: Merit Award
S. Gravett: Merit Award
M. Ndlovu: Merit Award
E. Olivier: Merit Award
A. Stott: Merit Award

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘇𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲
J. Cheesman: Sport Scholarship
L. Marais: Cordwalles Closed Scholarship
E. Stainbank: Cordwalles Closed Scholarship

𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲
S. Ardé: Sport Scholarship
T. Lee: Art Scholarship
S. Pooe: Academic Scholarship
W. Riley: Cordwalles Closed Scholarship
K. Shazi: Sport Scholarship

Congratulations boys we are proud of you! 🤎🤍

If you're heading to Harrington House for Art in the Country this weekend, be sure to look out for a familiar face.

Cordwalles Old Boy, Luc Schravesande (Class of 2019), is the youngest artist exhibiting at the show. From his days creating art at Cordies to studying Fine Art in London, Luc has continued to develop his talent. Today, he creates evocative figurative oil paintings that capture mood, depth and emotion.

We wish him every success at this exciting milestone.

𝗜𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆.
From the 1948 Cordwalles 1st XI came three South African cricketers, Norman Crookes, Derek Varnals and Kelly Seymour.

An incredible achievement for one school side and a reminder of the rich sporting heritage woven into the story of Cordwalles.

Norman Crookes (Class of 1949) toured England with the South African cricket team in 1965. Derek Varnals (Class of 1948), captain of the Cordwalles 1st XI, represented South Africa at Test level. Charles Fortune described him as “a compact and correct player with a good range of shots that came more of timing than of power.” Kelly Seymour (Class of 1949) played seven Test matches for South Africa while simultaneously studying medicine at UCT.

These archives are more than old photos and records, they reflect the proud history and strong sporting culture of Cordwalles. – Stef Ortmann (Old Boys Archivist)