Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool
Encyclopedia
The Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Afrikaans High School for Boys) also known as Affies, is a public high school for boys situated in the city of Pretoria
, Gauteng
, South Africa
, opposite Loftus Versfeld, the rugby
stadium
and home of the Bulls and Blue Bulls
.
The school's founding on 28 January 1920 marked the establishment of the first purely Afrikaans
-medium school in South Africa. This event predated the official recognition of the Afrikaans language by five years. The school is well known throughout South Africa for its high academic standards, sport achievements and production of leaders.
. By 1927, the school had grown and new premises were required. The school was therefore moved to the current premises of the Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool
. At the end of 1927, the school took over the Hogere Oosteindschool, a Dutch
-medium instruction school, suggestive of the demise of Dutch
as a language in South Africa
and the ensuing adoption of Afrikaans as the primary instruction medium.
By 1929 this building had also run out of space and the decision was made to split the boys and girls into separate schools, thus creating the first separate Afrikaans
boys' and girls' schools in South Africa
.
Affies is famed and regarded as one of the best and elite rugby schools in South Africa. It has delivered many Springbok players in the past and continues to supply loads of talent in the SA Schools and SA Academy sides. Affies also have many players on all provincial levels of rugby. Affies have a huge talent pool in the school and is rich in depth. There are more than 10 senior teams each year, and at all ages teams all the way from the G-teams.
Cricket
Affies is considered one of the finest cricket schools in the country. In recent years the school has produced world players such as AB de Villiers, Francois du Plessis
and Jacques Rudolph
. Frequent tours overseas are the highlight of the season, where the school plays against the best the world has to offer. Affies is considered to be a leader within the Afrikaans schools society for developing cricket for Afrikaans spoken children and to be competitive against English schools : http://www.saschoolsports.co.za/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=577:cricket-affies-rise-as-a-cricket-powerhouse&Itemid=19
Golf
Golf at Affies is healthy and strong. Teams compete in the city's school golf league. Each year the annual internal Affies Golf Tournament is held which also serves as trials for the teams. Any student is welcomed to join and enjoy the day.
Tennis
The school has acclaimed international players such as Dannie Visser and Johan Kriek. Delivers Springboks, SA Schools and Northern Gauteng tennis stars yearly. Only Afrikaans school to participate in both the Pretoria and Johannesburg leagues. Eleven teams play competitive tennis during the year.
Athletics
It has won the previous nine interhigh events. The school is clearly the best boys athletics school in South Africa. In 2011 the school had five athletes at the World Junior Athletics Championships and won two medals. The school also participate in two leagues across Gauteng throughout the year.
Hockey
Affies can be seen as the best Afrikaans boys hockey school in the country. With more than thirteen teams in the school, it competes against the best traditional hockey schools in South Africa. The school has a modern astro on which the teams train and play, a mini-astro and nearby grounds with a hockey clubhouse situated on the site. In 2011, two of the school's teams toured the Netherlands.
Crosscountry
The school has an active crosscountry club who compete and run regularly.
Chess
Each year the school has many players at all levels of competition. It is one of the best, if not the best chess school in South Africa.
Swimming
The school has a heated swimming pool and it competes each year against the best of Gauteng's swimming schools.
In recent years Affies has expanded their reputation as one of the best waterpolo schools in the country and it regularly contributes many players to provincial and national levels.
Squash
The school also has a few squash teams who play in the regional leagues. In recent years it has delivered a few national under 18 players.
Tabletennis
There is a tabletennis club, where the students can play and relax in the afternoons.
Jukskei
Affies also competes in the Jukskei leagues in Pretoria.
Culture
The choir of the Afrikaans Boys High School, better known as Twas the Night, consists of about 100 boys between the age 13 and 18.
Since the permanent choir was established about 18 years ago, it proved itself as one of the best
high school choirs in the country. The choir has many awards both locally and internationally and in 2009 made it to the final round of the National Competition ATKV Applous for the 13th time.
The choir has undertaken several domestic and foreign tours, and visited countries including
Germany, Holland, France, Hungary, Belgium, England, Austria and the Republic Tseggiese on tour
in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 visits.
The choir was invited to be part of the 85th anniversary celebrations of former president Nelson
Mandela and sang in 2009 and 2010 by invitation of the Drakensberg Boys Choir's festival weekend
("Music in the Mountains").
Debating
Each year Affies have numerous teams in the national ATKV Nasionale Debats Finaal. The last five years Affies was represented at these finals. In 2010 one of the Affies teams won the senior category and in 2011 one of the junior teams won the junior category and the runner-up was the other Affie team.
School plays
Each year a school play is performed by the students of Affies and on many attempts the school has reached the ATKV Finals. Affies is known for its wittiness and well directed plays.
Orchestra
Affies has three orchestras and a jazz band. These bands perform at many events and even outside school related functions.
Ons hou onsself en ons omgewing rein en skoon. Ons staan vir ons Taal, ons Nasie en ons Land.
In our school we give the place of honour to God and His Word and strive to live by Christian principles. We are thankful for the talents that we have received from God and apply them to His honour. We strive to be helpful and to serve. We obey and honour our parents and teachers, and conduct ourselves courteously towards all people, especially towards women and to our elders. Our word is our honour. We believe in self-control, self-discipline, humbleness and loyalty. We serve our school faithfully and uphold its good name in word and deed. We keep ourselves and our environment pure and clean. We stand for our Language, our Nation, and our Land.
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, Gauteng
Gauteng
Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, opposite Loftus Versfeld, the rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
and home of the Bulls and Blue Bulls
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...
.
The school's founding on 28 January 1920 marked the establishment of the first purely Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
-medium school in South Africa. This event predated the official recognition of the Afrikaans language by five years. The school is well known throughout South Africa for its high academic standards, sport achievements and production of leaders.
Early history
The school was housed in the home of General Piet Joubert at 218 Visagie Street, PretoriaPretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
. By 1927, the school had grown and new premises were required. The school was therefore moved to the current premises of the Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool
Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool
The [Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool] is a public, Afrikaans-speaking high school for girls in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. It is the sister school of the Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool.-History:...
. At the end of 1927, the school took over the Hogere Oosteindschool, a Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
-medium instruction school, suggestive of the demise of Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
as a language in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and the ensuing adoption of Afrikaans as the primary instruction medium.
By 1929 this building had also run out of space and the decision was made to split the boys and girls into separate schools, thus creating the first separate Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
boys' and girls' schools in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Buildings
The school has an Astro-Turf state-of-the-art gymnasium and an impressive library. The school also has three boarding-houses, the biggest being House Frank Le Roux (named after the first headmaster), and a few school- and memorial buildings. The school also has 3 state of the art fully stocked computer classrooms. The school hall is famed for its acoustic quality and has held numerous musical and theatrical acts and shows.School Mission
The Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool is a Christian Afrikaans boy's school that strives to live out its unique tradition of excellent education to help build for the benefit of our nation and its inhabitants.Coat of arms
The various symbolic gestures in the school's coat of arms :- The wagon symbolizes the balance of the Afrikanernation. The wagon is settled and the journey is concluded.
- Ahead there lies acres of ground naked and clean, behind stands the mountains which are already overcome.
- Everything is born out of the morning sun's bright rays and it is a new day for our nation.
- The coat of arms is surrounded by ox horns, the symbol of our protection.
School sports and activities
RugbyAffies is famed and regarded as one of the best and elite rugby schools in South Africa. It has delivered many Springbok players in the past and continues to supply loads of talent in the SA Schools and SA Academy sides. Affies also have many players on all provincial levels of rugby. Affies have a huge talent pool in the school and is rich in depth. There are more than 10 senior teams each year, and at all ages teams all the way from the G-teams.
Cricket
Affies is considered one of the finest cricket schools in the country. In recent years the school has produced world players such as AB de Villiers, Francois du Plessis
Francois du Plessis
Francois "Faf" du Plessis is a right-handed batsman who plays One Day International cricket for South Africa and is a former under 19 representative....
and Jacques Rudolph
Jacques Rudolph
Jacobus Andries Rudolph , popularly known as Jacques Rudolph, is a South African Test and ODI cricketer currently playing in England with Yorkshire CCC and in South Africa with Titans.He had an unbeaten 222 in his debut Test inning...
. Frequent tours overseas are the highlight of the season, where the school plays against the best the world has to offer. Affies is considered to be a leader within the Afrikaans schools society for developing cricket for Afrikaans spoken children and to be competitive against English schools : http://www.saschoolsports.co.za/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=577:cricket-affies-rise-as-a-cricket-powerhouse&Itemid=19
Golf
Golf at Affies is healthy and strong. Teams compete in the city's school golf league. Each year the annual internal Affies Golf Tournament is held which also serves as trials for the teams. Any student is welcomed to join and enjoy the day.
Tennis
The school has acclaimed international players such as Dannie Visser and Johan Kriek. Delivers Springboks, SA Schools and Northern Gauteng tennis stars yearly. Only Afrikaans school to participate in both the Pretoria and Johannesburg leagues. Eleven teams play competitive tennis during the year.
Athletics
It has won the previous nine interhigh events. The school is clearly the best boys athletics school in South Africa. In 2011 the school had five athletes at the World Junior Athletics Championships and won two medals. The school also participate in two leagues across Gauteng throughout the year.
Hockey
Affies can be seen as the best Afrikaans boys hockey school in the country. With more than thirteen teams in the school, it competes against the best traditional hockey schools in South Africa. The school has a modern astro on which the teams train and play, a mini-astro and nearby grounds with a hockey clubhouse situated on the site. In 2011, two of the school's teams toured the Netherlands.
Crosscountry
The school has an active crosscountry club who compete and run regularly.
Chess
Each year the school has many players at all levels of competition. It is one of the best, if not the best chess school in South Africa.
Swimming
The school has a heated swimming pool and it competes each year against the best of Gauteng's swimming schools.
In recent years Affies has expanded their reputation as one of the best waterpolo schools in the country and it regularly contributes many players to provincial and national levels.
Squash
The school also has a few squash teams who play in the regional leagues. In recent years it has delivered a few national under 18 players.
Tabletennis
There is a tabletennis club, where the students can play and relax in the afternoons.
Jukskei
Affies also competes in the Jukskei leagues in Pretoria.
Culture
The choir of the Afrikaans Boys High School, better known as Twas the Night, consists of about 100 boys between the age 13 and 18.
Since the permanent choir was established about 18 years ago, it proved itself as one of the best
high school choirs in the country. The choir has many awards both locally and internationally and in 2009 made it to the final round of the National Competition ATKV Applous for the 13th time.
The choir has undertaken several domestic and foreign tours, and visited countries including
Germany, Holland, France, Hungary, Belgium, England, Austria and the Republic Tseggiese on tour
in 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 visits.
The choir was invited to be part of the 85th anniversary celebrations of former president Nelson
Mandela and sang in 2009 and 2010 by invitation of the Drakensberg Boys Choir's festival weekend
("Music in the Mountains").
Debating
Each year Affies have numerous teams in the national ATKV Nasionale Debats Finaal. The last five years Affies was represented at these finals. In 2010 one of the Affies teams won the senior category and in 2011 one of the junior teams won the junior category and the runner-up was the other Affie team.
School plays
Each year a school play is performed by the students of Affies and on many attempts the school has reached the ATKV Finals. Affies is known for its wittiness and well directed plays.
Orchestra
Affies has three orchestras and a jazz band. These bands perform at many events and even outside school related functions.
School anthem
- Daar ruis uit Pretoria
- die roep tot verre trans
- van duisende stemme vir jou ou Afrikaans
- Dit bind ons tesame die naam van ons trou
- Soos berge so stewig gebou vir jou!
- Ons bring jou ons hulde,
- jou lig sal ons dra
- tot ver oor ons wye Suid-Afrika.
- Ons staan vir ons Nasie,
- ons Taal en ons Land,
- Gestaal vir die stryd om jou lig te laat brand.
- Ons grootse verlede;
- die hede se krag
- Gee moed en vertroue
- vir dit wat daar wag.
- Ons bring jou ons hulde
- jou lig sal ons dra
- tot ver oor ons wye Suid-Afrika.
- Words & Music: Mr and Ms Carel van Heerden (1952)
Code of Honour (with English translation)
In ons skool gee ons die ereplek aan God en Sy Woord en streef die Christelike lewensbeginsels na. Ons is dankbaar vir die talente wat ons van God ontvang het en wend dit aan tot Sy eer. Ons streef daarna om hulpvaardig te wees en om te dien. Ons gehoorsaam en eer ons ouers en onderwysers en gedra ons hoflik teenoor alle mense, veral teenoor dames en ons meerderes. Ons woord is ons eer. Ons glo in selfbeheersing, selfdissipline, nederigheid en lojaliteit. Ons dien ons skool getrou en handhaaf sy goeie naam met woord en daad.Ons hou onsself en ons omgewing rein en skoon. Ons staan vir ons Taal, ons Nasie en ons Land.
In our school we give the place of honour to God and His Word and strive to live by Christian principles. We are thankful for the talents that we have received from God and apply them to His honour. We strive to be helpful and to serve. We obey and honour our parents and teachers, and conduct ourselves courteously towards all people, especially towards women and to our elders. Our word is our honour. We believe in self-control, self-discipline, humbleness and loyalty. We serve our school faithfully and uphold its good name in word and deed. We keep ourselves and our environment pure and clean. We stand for our Language, our Nation, and our Land.
List of Headboys
- SJ De Beer (Headboy 1992)
- Richard Butler (Headboy 1993)
- Tobie Meyer (Headboy 1994)
- Amir Zarrabi (Headboy 1995): Medical doctor
- Louis Taljard (Headboy 2007)
- Willie Lues (Headboy 2008)
- Colin Jacobson (Headboy 2009)
- Pepler Stander (Headboy 2010)
- Anro Stander (Headboy 2011)
- Jacques Smith (Headboy 2012)
List of notable Old Affies
- Louis Schmidt (1954) : SpringbokSouth Africa national rugby union teamThe South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
rugbyRugby footballRugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
player 1958 and 1962, and the original Blue Bull - Tonie Roux (1964) : Springbok rugby player 1969 to 1974
- Professor Fransjohan Pretorius (1966) : prominent South African historian
- Pierre Edwards (1970) : Springbok rugby player 1980, and current head master
- Magnus MalanMagnus MalanGeneral Magnus André De Merindol Malan was the Minister of Defence , Chief of the South African Defence Force and Chief of the South African Army.-Early life:...
: Was the Minister of Defence in 1980 – 1991 - Johan KriekJohan KriekJohan Kriek is a South African American professional male tennis player and founder of the Global Water Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering clean water to the world's neediest communities. Kriek has won two Australian Opens and has reached the semi-finals at the French...
(1976) : South African tennis player, two times winner of Australian Open singles title - Danie VisserDanie VisserDanie Visser is a former professional tennis player from South Africa. A doubles specialist, he won 3 Grand Slam men's doubles titles . Visser reached the World No. 1 doubles ranking in 1990.Visser won the first of 17 career doubles titles in 1985 at Bristol...
(1979) : South African tennis player, three times Grand Slam doubles winner - Grant Esterhuizen (1994) : Springbok rugby player 2000
- George CoetzeeGeorge CoetzeeGeorge William Coetzee is a South African professional golfer.Coetzee was born in Pretoria. He started playing golf when he was 10 and won the first junior tournament he ever played in, shooting 49 in 9 holes. He finished 4th and 8th in the Callaway Junior World Championship in San Diego, where he...
(2004) : South African professional golfer. - Johan Roets (1996) : South Africa A and Bulls Super 14 rugby player
- Skipper BadenhorstSkipper BadenhorstSkipper Badenhorst is a rugby union player for the Central Cheetahs in the Super 14 competition and Namibia. He plays as a hooker.-Career:...
(1996) : Natal Sharks / SA Under 21 / Cheetahs Super 14 rugby player - Nicolaas Alberts (1996) : Springbok Sevens Rugby Player and Cambridge University Triple Blue (Rugby,Cricket and Athletics)
- Eugene Marx (1996) : SA under 21 / Golden Lions rugby player
- Edward Coetzee (1997) : Natal Sharks rugby player
- Jacques RudolphJacques RudolphJacobus Andries Rudolph , popularly known as Jacques Rudolph, is a South African Test and ODI cricketer currently playing in England with Yorkshire CCC and in South Africa with Titans.He had an unbeaten 222 in his debut Test inning...
(1999) : South African international cricket player 2003 to 2006 - Fourie du PreezFourie du PreezPetrus Fourie du Preez is a rugby union player. His position of choice is scrum half. Du Preez plays for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup competition in South Africa and the Bulls in the international Super 14 competition...
(2000) : Springbok rugby player 2004- - Wynand OlivierWynand OlivierWynand Olivier is a South African rugby union footballer. He currently plays for the Bulls in the international Super 14 competition. His usual position is at centre, although he has played on the wing in the past.-Career:...
(2001) : Springbok rugby player 2006- - Jacques FreitagJacques FreitagJacques Freitag a South African high jumper. He grew up in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng . He is 2.04 m and weighs 87 kg. His mother, Hendrina Pieters, was in 1973 a South African high jump champion with PB 1.74m...
(2000) : South African Olympic high jumper, gold medalist at 2003 IAAF World Championship - Ben Schoeman (2002) : internationally acclaimed pianist; winner of the 2008 Vodacom Unisa International Piano Competition
- AB de Villiers (2002) : South African international cricket player
- Pierre SpiesPierre SpiesPierre Johan Spies is a South African rugby union player. His usual position is number 8 , where he plays for the Vodacom Bulls in the international Super 14 competition. He has represented the Springboks since 2006.He made his debut for the Blue Bulls in 2005 in a match against the Griquas...
(2003) : Springbok rugby player 2006- - Faf Du Plesis(2002): Titans cricket player
- Kruger Van WykKruger Van WykCornelius Francoius Kruger van Wyk in Wolmaransstad. He is a South African cricketer who plays for the Central Districts Stags . Kruger is a Wicket Keeper Batsman...
(1998): Titans and South Africa A cricket player - Heino KuhnHeino KuhnHeino Gunther Kuhn is a South African cricketer who plays for the Titans in domestic cricket. A wicketkeeper batsman, he was the second highest run scorer in the 2006-07 SuperSport Series with 776 runs at 48.50...
(2002): Titans and South Africa cricket player - Tiaan Snyman (1998): SA Under 21 / Bulls / Lions rugby player
- Sarel Potgieter (2002): WP ans SA Sevens rugby player
- Derick Kuun (2002): Blue Bulls rugby player
- Paul Rothmann (1995) : TV presenter and martial arts enthusiast
- Reinhardt Strijdom (2006): World famous swimmer
- Jacques-Louis Potgieter (2002) : Cheetahs / Blue Bulls rugby player
- Adriaan Fondse (2001) : WP / Stormers rugby player
- Gerrit-Jan Van Velze (2005) : Blue Bulls rugby player
- Cliff Milton (2002) : Blue Bulls 2003 - 2007 / Stade Francais 2007 - 2008 rugby player
- Ruan Cloete (2002) : Falcons / Lions rugby player
- Dean Greyling (2004) : Blue Bulls rugby player
- Ruan Snyman (2005) : Blue Bulls rugby player
- Frik Kirsten (2006) : Blue Bulls rugby Player
- Gerhard Van Den Heever (2007) : Blue Bulls rugby player
- Sebastiaan Rothmann (1993) : Former IBO and WBO cruiser weight boxing champion
- Philip Buys (2006) : South Africa u/23 Cross Country cup over all winner Cycling
External links
- Official school site
- Oud Affie Bond (Afrikaans)
- Chior information (Afrikaans)