Dr Marguerite Poland, well-known South African author,attended the Old Andrean lunch at The River Roost near Kenton-on-Sea last Sunday for the launch of The Boy in You - A Biography of St Andrew’s College, 1855-2005.
A seasoned author of children's books and historical novels, Poland brought the stories of old & new Andreans to life in this work detailing the history of the well known Grahamstown school. Poland’s strong ties with the Eastern Cape and her 30 year marriage to an Old Andrean, Martin Oosthuizen, flamed
her enthusiasm for her topic and makes for a very readable and enjoyable historical overview.
Poland characterized the ‘quintessential St Andrews College boy’ as “an enduring character, with candor, humour and good old fashioned grit and sunlight streaming through little pink ears...” and brought many a tear to Old Andreans’ eyes present at the launch’s.
It was after a meeting with current deputy head of the school, Tim Nuttall, that Poland agreed to the project. “Never go to cocktail parties and speak to personable men because it could end up in six years hard labour,” the author jested.
Despite the jesting Poland’s passion for the project shone through with the delightful quips and unfolding of a history that reflects not only that of a fine boys school but that of our country. St Andrew’s and The Mullins Institution educated early ANC leader Josiah Gumede alongside another scholar who was to become Minister of ative Affairs; saw the then black students at the Mullins Institute run the printing press on behalf of the St Andrew’s students, sowing some of the early seeds for our fine legacy of black journalists.
‘The Boy In You’ is a book of considerable size, covering a vast period of time and as such the space allocated here to reflect on it cannot begin to do justice to such a fine work which breathes life into an impressive history.
Please open the links below to view an article from Die Burger and hear Marguerite's interview with Jenny Crwys-Williams on Radio 702
