RUSTENBURG OLD GIRLS’ UNION
Birthday wishes from Headgirls
Helen Cross (née Hutchison), Headgirl 2001 Helen Cross, the Rustenburg headgirl in 2001, has spent her 13 years after matriculating involving herself in greater challenges. She has focused seriously on pursuing tertiary education. Helen studied medicine at the University of Cape Town before heading to Johannesburg for her internship. Subsequently she married and ventured on a threemonth backpacking trip around the world. After returning to South Africa, Helen began work at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town and is currently studying to become a neurologist. Helen’s 120th birthday wishes for Rustenburg are, “I hope Rustenburg enjoys at least another 120 years as the grand school that it is, enabling many more women to benefit from all it has to offer. I have visited Rustenburg many times after 2001 and it has been lovely to see how the school has developed. I love wandering around the campus and it brings back so many fond memories. Today I perceive Rustenburg girls as balanced, mature young ladies who are motivated, ambitious, and well-educated, although admittedly I might be a little biased!” Helen has many memories of her years spent at Rustenburg, including, “early morning swim training, galas and other frenzied and colourful house anecdotes, the sound of assembly, the elegant winter uniform and, of course, the cake on Founders’ Day!”
Jodi Allemeier, Headgirl 2002
Kerusha Padayachee, Headgirl 2006
Buhle Ngaba, Headgirl 2008
Jodi Allemeier was Headgirl of Rustenburg in 2002 and, since matriculating, has excelled academically. Jodi has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work, Honours in Public and Development Management, and a Masters degree in Development Finance. At the time of writing Jodi was on the brink of embarking on a new phase in her career, one that involves launching an initiative which aims to embed socio-economic resilience in communities.
Since matriculating in 2006, Rustenburg Headgirl of that year, Kerusha Padayachee, has been busy. She attended the University of Cape Town where she earned a degree in Business Science and Finance, and subsequently relocated to Johannesburg where she works for Standard Bank as a Sales Performance and Effectiveness Manager for Transactional Products and Services. This is a demanding position which entails cash and trade deals in and around the whole African continent, specifically within the Corporate Investment banking space.
Buhle Ngaba, Rustenburg Headgirl who matriculated in 2008, fondly recalls especially Erinville Hostel, her home for the five years during which she attended the school. Many of the friends that she made in the boarding house are still her best friends, and she continues to visit Rustenburg hostel regularly. She also likes to keep up-todate with what is happening in the Dramatic Arts department at Rustenburg and has returned to inspire younger actresses to consider careers in theatre.
Jodi’s 120th birthday wish to Rustenburg is for the school to, “continue to be a strong foundation for female South African leaders. I believe that birthdays are opportunities to celebrate achievement, and to reflect. As an institution, Rustenburg has enjoyed many achievements: countless personal achievements for individuals who make up part of the Rustybug family, as well as institutional achievements in academia, sporting and cultural endeavours. These should be lauded and shared as stories of inspiration that connect women across generations. At the same time, any age-old South African institution has a duty to reflect on its historic and on-going role in the socio-political landscape of the country. As a former Model-C school that benefited under apartheid, what role has Rustenburg played in segregation or inclusion? For an all-girls school, this is as important on issues of race and class as it is with gender.”
RGHS MAGAZINE 2014
“My fondest memories of Rustenburg are an amalgamation of events: the gossip catch-up on Monday mornings and the chilly winters from which we were protected by our oversized navy coats. I don’t think I will ever forget my Matric form class, E5, and Mr Skelly who was our form teacher. The banter is something I will always hold dear,” Kerusha recalled. Kerusha’s 120th birthday wish for Rustenburg is, “The girls should celebrate with famous Rustybug cake, but more importantly with gratitude. The education which Rustenburg provides is both a gift and a blessing. Too often, in the midst of the everyday normality, one forgets the bigger picture and the importance of a school like Rustenburg can have on one’s future. I hope that each day is used for learning, growing, sharing and building strong women. ”
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Since matriculating, Buhle studied Acting and Contemporary performance at Rhodes University, and Performance Process at the University of Leeds in the UK. Buhle has been involved in the Ubom! Eastern Cape Drama Company, and has performed in various professional productions. Buhle’s 120th birthday wish for the school is, “Continue to be that kind of school which encourages young girls to be the best that they can. I’d like to see the school celebrate by initiating a project which helps others. I think that this would be the most meaningful birthday, by recognising that Rustenburg is indeed privileged, and using the expertise of the school to improve the lives of others. Birthdays are, after all, only special days if they are shared with many people.”
