Zandile Mgutshini: Head Girl, 2015
Good morning Mrs Wells, Mrs McIlroy, Mr Arguile, invited guests, staff, parents and girls. On behalf of the
St Anne’s community I thank you for joining us today. It has been a pleasure hosting you.
To our guest speaker Mrs McIlroy: it’s no surprise to us that we were so thoroughly entertained by your
speech. Not only are we thankful for the entertainment but what you have shared with us is relevant and
will be a source of encouragement and inspiration for our futures. Please accept this small gift as a symbol
of our gratitude.
‘Parting is such sweet sorrow’. Overwhelmed by curiosity and excitement for the future but apprehensive
about leaving this school that we so comfortably call home. When attending a school, let alone a school
like St Anne’s, it is impossible to deny the fact that we are in a position of privilege.
Often people regard privilege as the difference between being rich and being poor, as a noun only relating
to money. At the beginning of the year students from different parts of the country were invited to be a
part of the By Youth For Youth Conference in Grahamstown. Chiara and I attended with two girls from
Russell High in Pietermaritzburg- Lebo and Ashley (and coincidentally we were mirror images of each
other, a tall black girl and an average height girl with red hair). One of the sessions and by far my favourite
was with Rhodes students who split us from our cliques and groups and moved us outside.
The session demanded vulnerability and honesty. We were read a series of statements and asked to step
forward when the statement was true to our experiences or situations. Common ground was formed
between students who had before then categorized and divided themselves into cliques when students
stepped forward unexpectedly. ‘Step forward if you have ever felt rejected by your parents’ ‘step forward
if you have ever felt discriminated against based on the colour of your skin, on your gender, on your sexual
orientation’ ‘step forward if you feel your friends do not know who you really are’ ‘step forward if you feel
that you would not be accepted if you were showed your true self’
The poignant exercise highlighted our similarities and demonstrated the true meaning of privilege.
Privilege is simply an advantage no matter how insignificant it may seem: being right handed I’ve never
had to worry about smudging ink over my words as I write. We are all at an advantage in some aspect of
our lives but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
I’ve come to learn that with privilege comes responsibility. One can use privilege as a veil. As a barrier
separating communities into ‘us’ and ‘them’, or one can use privilege as a bridge to span the gap between
socio-economic classes; or as a stage to speak out for those who are ignored or those who regarded as the
flotsam and jetsam of their societies.
Whilst privilege can be perceived as a burden one has the opportunity to turn it into something of
significance. These five years at St Anne’s are preparation for just that. ‘A Psalm of Life’ by Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow summarises the idea.
Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Life is but an empty dream!
Was not spoken of the soul.
For the soul is dead that
slumbers,
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
And things are not what they
Is our destined end or way;
seem.
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout
and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are
beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world’s broad field of
battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;
Trust no Future, howe’er
pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,— act in the living Present!
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Heart within, and God o’erhead!
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked
brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labour and to wait.
At the start of the year I said to the grade 8s that during their time at St Anne’s there may be some rough
patches but parents you have guaranteed that our ups will far out number our downs and even in the lows
we’ll learn something. To the parents thank you for making sacrifices so we could be at St Anne’s. Thank
you for your unwavering reassurance. Luckily in boarding the burden of troublesome teens is off your
shoulders.
But the housemothers now bear the load. Thank you to our housemothers for being in loco parentis. You
do much more than that. Thank you for taking on more than you have to- for comforting us when we’re
hurt, for calming us when we are anxious, and for reprimanding us before something ends in tears. You go
above and beyond everyday and if it has not been made clear already we love you.
Thank you to the border mistresses for being like big sisters to us. You’ve shared your advice and given us
guidance. The games of hide and seek during load shedding and the fits of laughter after spilling secrets
are the moments we all cherish. In 10 years time the effect you have had on us will still be evident.
Margaret and the Fedics team are the reason we’re all alive. Biologically we do need nutrients to survive
but the food you prepare is more than that. Lunch is the most important part of a St Anne’s girls day and I
know that next year us matrics will miss themed lunches and celebratory feasts you have lovingly
prepared.
Sister Mills, Sister Randall and the San staff, thank you so much for soothing us when we’re ill. There is
nothing worse than being away from home when you are sick so thank you for looking after us.
Thank you Prince and Millie for getting us from A to B and entertaining us for the course of our journeys.
Thank you for keeping us safe, we really appreciate the times you’ve spent with us.
To the ground staff and Mr Duncan. Thank you for cleaning up after us especially after funday. Just two
days ago the school looked like an advertisement for Gilette shaving cream. Our grounds always look
picturesque we appreciate all the work you put into it.
Mrs Lowe and the sports department, I’m sorry I didn’t spend as much time as I ought to at sport. But as a
supporter the time you put into coaching and leading our teams is evident from the side-lines. Listening to
Emma and Tessa read out sports results in chapel one can easily see the impact you’ve had judging by the
excellent achievements. Thank you.
Mr Stenhouse and Mrs Hibbert. Not only do we have a world-class choir but our Friday morning hymn
practices are flawless too. Thank you for the work you’ve put into our music department. Throughout the
year you’ve trained the girls and mentored them in their music advances. St Anne’s has been blessed to
have you.
This year has been one of spiritual growth and on behalf of every girl who has been impacted by you, Rev,
I’d like to thank you. You have been a counsellor and a friend to many of us. You have made yourself
available even at inconvenient times and you’ve shown nothing but love for us in your actions. You are a
role model to many of us and we are so thankful to have you.
We are being unknowingly equipped to be the change in crowds of bystanders. In a few decades we will be
the historians, doctors, lawyers, artists, journalists etc. Thank you to our teachers for encouraging us. For
helping us learn from the literature we encounter in the English classrooms, and for being the spark that
ignites our interest in the sciences. While some have been discouraged by the recent university
controversies like Open Stellenbosch or the unrest on UKZN campuses you have encouraged conversation
and discussion. We are given the means to formulate our own ideas and communicate them in languages
like Afrikaans, Zulu or French. You’ve made us see the numbers and account for them but more than that
you’ve shown us what a difference passion makes. The passion you have for what you do is what makes
learning more worthwhile. Thank you for giving us some of the best five years of our lives.
Mr Arguile, thank you for challenging us. Although we were apprehensive at the start the ay we view
leadership has changed for the better. At the leaver’s dinner Chiara perfectly put it. You have remained
modest and have served the school expecting no recognition for your deeds. You have moved us from
where we wanted to be to where we ought to be. Thank you so much.
Mrs Mauck and Mr Niven. You have spent time developing relationships with us and because of that saying
goodbye is not easy. As a grade we really appreciate your openness to suggestions and your constant
support even whilst giving criticism. Thank you for being involved and for showing us that every now and
again we should do something purely for the fun of it.
Now for the girls…
Form 2s, we have enjoyed mentoring you and developing friendships with you. You may not believe it now
but soon you’ll be preparing for your last week of school, your leavers dinner, and your last prize giving.
The time goes fast but you’ll enjoy it. It has been a pleasure serving you and thank you for the loving letters
and warm smiles you have given us matrics.
3rd form. Thank you for being the highlight of prep duty. Great adventure is only the start of the friendships
you will form at St Anne’s. Next year you’ll have Chanel ball and you might also have a bit of a growth
spurt. Although you can’t control how many centimetres you add to your height I encourage you to savour
being as young as you are. In grade 10 it is easy to lose sight of the present. Don’t grow up too fast. Your
age gives you an excuse to have more fun.
4th form your year in studies is almost over and next year you will have fully transitioned into seniors. Its
not as great as it looks by the way. Looking at the names and faces from last year its clear that a lot has
changed with you all you have grown physically but more importantly mentally. Thank you for taking part
in the social growth of the college by joining us for the current affairs discussions.
5th form. Everything the light touches is your kingdom. It has been a pleasure serving you as matrics this
year. You have offered us support and showed confidence in us. Keep challenging the system and speaking
out. Congratulations to Jemma Blacklaw and S’Du Ngubane for being appointed as the head and deputy
head girl for next year. Chiara and I have no doubts that you and your form will be outstanding leaders and
serve the school wholeheartedly.
Matrics, before I met you the sun was like a yellow grape. But now it looks like fire in the sky. Why?
Because you light a fire inside of me...and I am so thankful I met you. I cannot explain how lucky I feel
having lead with you all by my side. These past five years have been an adventure. Whether its sitting on
front lawn procrastinating during trials or at a weekend get together there's never a shortage of laughter
from you comedians. Despite the rocky start in grade 8 and 9 that shadow is long gone and, although we
never expected it and it's hard to admit, next year is going to be difficult.
Lastly I’d like to thank you Chiara. Practically overnight we grew into the closest friends. Thank you for
putting up with my tyranny. You have been by my side 110% of the time. The moments of immaturity
between the foyer door and Mrs Mauck’s office will be among my fondest memories. there is no one else I
would rather share elbow space with in chapel.
Earlier this year I shared an extract of an essay I wrote with the Old Girls I thought was significant. We pass
Annie every morning and this is a recount of my experience with Annie on my way to breakfast from Mollie
Stone on a misty winter morning.
The sound of my sole dragging on the paved road, switches to the swishing sound of my leather shoes
being polished by stiff grass. It meant I was on Front Lawn, the doormat to my destination.
As the winter morning brightens the heavy mist starts to glow, like a halo, surrounding the hazy grey
silhouette just in front of me. As I approach the frozen figure her form becomes clearer. Her head is level
with mine or maybe slightly lower. In a summer dress she braves the winter not flinching or shivering. She
walks purposefully in the opposite direction, away from the dining hall and reception, down ‘Wilky Lane’,
beyond the boundaries of our school, maybe even past the snowy berg peeking out in the distance, with a
purply tinge. But for now she’s here at the start of her journey preserved in a shell of bronze waiting to
continue on her way.
In quiet reflection I pass the statue of Annie, contemplating rubbing her nose for good luck, as tradition
promises, but afraid to remove more of the patina, that contours her face like shading on a sketch. As I
move further away from the metal statue, our backs toward each other, I turn my head to catch a glimpse
of the arum lily secure between her hands. With its arrow-shaped petal in a metallic skin, the cutting is
preserved in bloom, like an artefact, symbolic of hope.
It has been a privilege to serve you this year. Thank you.