Stars of the Morning - A History of Michaelhouse 1896-2021 | Gary M Ralfe

Loading player...
Michaelhouse was described by AM Barrett, in a previous history, as once amounting to a ‘handful of boys on a dusty street in a small town’, a far cry from the magnificent 680-hectare site in Balgowan with a world-class programme and facilities that constitutes the School of today.

And nobody is better placed to characterise that journey, the transformation of Michaelhouse into a great school with a rich heritage, than Gary Ralfe: Senior Prefect of 1962, Old Boy of stellar academic capability, Cambridge graduate and captain of industry, Chairman of the Michaelhouse Board from 2008 to 2016 and benefactor – indeed, a man who has had a profound influence in shaping the modern Michaelhouse.

Through his extensive research, insight and instinctive love for Michaelhouse, the deep friendships and the unique contributions of many and the triumphs and difficulties of the past 125 years have been made accessible. The crafting of this book, the clarity of its structure and a story so beautifully told has been an immense labour of love.
Old Boys and all who cherish Michaelhouse are profoundly grateful to the author, as the book evokes a sense of pride in all who have walked its cloisters, quads and fields. In Stars of the Morning he has rekindled a sense of the School’s Christian heritage and the fulfilment of the intentions of the founder, James Cameron Todd. It makes compelling reading.

Antony Clark - Rector
8 May 2024 English South Africa Books · Business

Other recent episodes

52 Big Questions for Business Leaders | Mike Stopforth

Unlock a new dimension in leadership by asking better questions. Answers are overrated. In an unpredictable world, asking the right questions is significantly more powerful than clinging to stale, dated answers. What you knew yesterday won’t always take you where you need to go. Great leaders stand apart because they…
16 Aug 4 min

After the Fires | Nozipho Tshabalala

Nozipho Mbanjwa-Tshabalala is a high-performing, excellence-driven, successful black woman. At any given time, she knows what is expected of her, how well she is doing, and what is next on her list of goals. Being in control of everything in her life was crucial to her survival and success. For…
18 Jul 4 min

Khanyisa and the Cloud | Melisa Ndlovu

Khanyisa and the Cloud is a story about a young girl with a cloud that only she can see. Some days, it floats in the background—other days, it feels heavy and hard to shake. Though invisible to others, Khanyisa’s family begins to notice its shadow and, little by little, helps…
8 May 4 min

Saturated Facts | Dr Idrees Mughal

TikTok sensation Dr Idz's myth-busting, scientific guide to nutrition and fitness. Does Diet Coke really cause cancer? Are eggs healthy? Does alcohol stop fat burning? And what steps can you take to avoid obesity, diabetes and heart disease? In Saturated Facts, TikTok star Dr Idz, an NHS medic with a…
12 Apr 4 min

Bluebird in a Baobab | Jeri Lynn Johnson Russell

"Many of us save all year to have a moment of this on vacation. We miss so much in our air-conditioned world, away from children and each other, we in the west are so busy being prolific and efficient, alone in a cubicle. As I gaze at this naturally bustling…
12 Apr 3 min