SAWUBONA - poem written for the class by Dr Shake Seigel

I see you and you see me
We were once all at UCT
At a time when not all were free,
Yet our teaching enshrined humanity.

From heady carefree student days
We all went our different ways.
Some went near, others to distant shores
Taking with us, some African lore.

In essence it’s our interconnection
Held within our chosen profession.
So our duty now is to pass it on
Because in UBUNTU we are all one.

Starting young with unknown destinations
From land that became a rainbow nation
We have carved our personal light arcs
Here in Africa as well as distant parts.

Over time, of half a century
On a global stage of growth and plenty,
We have scattered like fertile seeds.
Landed, rooted, nourished many communities.

We hope to have left a solid foundation,
In this complex world of inter-connection.
One of respect, care, love, and nurture
To guide our successors in the future.

By enshrining our shared humanity
With all peoples in all countries.
Entangled like underground mycelium,
And celebrating Ubuntu, we are one.

1975 - a time of turmoil in SA - when many of our class left the country

Our class of 142 members graduated in 1975. Our country was in political turmoil. Two thirds of our class left our shores. But we persisted in coming together, to keep the friendships forged at medical school alive; to develop a deeper understanding of the trials of those years  spent studying together-and thus we held reunions every 10 years. 

Drawing together classmates after 50 years

We have just celebrated our 50^th reunion and all the efforts and persistence over those years rewarded us all with  a strong feeling of drawing closer, of healing, of respecting each other’s stories, and of valuing and cherishing our time together at UCT.

Golden Graduation

We chose to coincide our Reunion with the Golden Graduation organised by the Alumni Department. Adorned with our golden scarves, we followed the academic procession into the Sarah Bartman Hall, where we graduated in what was a different era. The ceremony and celebrations, so different from what we had experienced, were vibrant, joyful, optimistic and hugely moving. I was proud to be a South African. This set the tone for the rest of our reunion.

Lunches, tours and meet-ups

Forty-six delegates met at the Mac Club for lunch a day later. The shared pleasure and  positivity were  palpable. The tours of the Medical School and Neuroscience and Clinical Skills departments at Groote Schuur thereafter filled us all with admiration and a sense that our Medical School was continuing to offer the very best in medical education. That evening we met at my old home in Rondebosch, now belonging to my daughter Mary and where we had held a previous reunion party 30 years previously. Special guests were Professor Solly Benatar and the surgeon daughter Ailsa Leitch, of Rose Mason who is now deceased.

Remembering those who are no longer with us and those whose university journeys were difficult

My welcome started with a mention of the 26 members of our class who were now passed. We paused to name them, and think of them but we also paused to think of the 26 members of our class who were admitted on permits from the Apartheid Government, and who suffered daily discrimination and a feeling of never fully belonging to the class. I admitted that so many of us lacked understanding, were insensitive and failed to reach out...and for that I was deeply sorry. This precipitated an outpouring of emotion and Norman Maharaj, Breslau Kruger and Sophie Kisting responded with great feeling.

Reunion Feast

 From here, so much seemed to open up. There was an ease of interaction and the following day, the presentations, across topics medical and other, continued that bonding. We all looked forward to our Reunion Feast that evening where we could celebrate together.

This was a huge success, held at the magnificent home of my brother-in-law Rick Haw and his incredible wife, Ulli. The class photo was taken in the shadow of our magical Table Mountain, and five-star food, drink and music followed. A night to remember.

Goodbyes in Kirstenbosch

The following day was designed to give all a time to rest and reflect in our beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens. The sun shone kindly on us as we sat in the shade, tucked into our picnic boxes and sadly said our goodbyes…until the next time.

This reunion, the meaningfulness of which is reflected in comments from some of the delegates, was like a small healing gift to all that attended, to be opened, savoured and utilised to the benefit of us all.

In the words from an article by Prof Solly Benatar on The legacy of Apartheid on health care, he ends with: 'Let us then rather light a candle in the darkness, soften the hearts, open the minds and heal the wounds.'

I think our 50th Reunion, with the positive input from all delegates, achieved some of this.

Article written by Dr Joan Louwrens, organiser of the reunion, together with Dr Maureen Stein. 

Comments from people who attended the reunion:  

A thank you to the organisers. It always takes more than one thinks.  It was lovely to reconnect. When we were at medical school I did realise that I was in the presence of very talented people and that I was a small duck in a big pond. Today I realise just how talented these people really were and what they did with it. I attended the reunion without any preconceived expectations. I was struck by the presence of our colleagues that so far had withheld their presence from the class photo way back and the previous reunions. This was done to send us a message. I for one am so sorry for the past. Their attendance spoke much louder than being absent once more and was so welcome and positive. They are making the present better than the past. Thank you. It was altogether a warm and embracing reunion. To each and everyone, fare thee well.  Dr Francis Bolle, Opthaomologist.

What a profound experience for me reconnecting with many of you!!  I felt a true deepening and understanding of our collective pain. I do feel a sense of more optimism as I travel around Cape Town. Ongoing significant issues as has been noted, but much better than I was expecting 50 years later !!! Joan and Maureen once again a huge thank you !!!  You truly outdid yourselves.  Thank you all for your open sharing. Wishing you all well as you continue your journeys. Dr Basil Segal, Canada

Thank you Cathy for your generosity of spirit and acknowledgement of all of us. All together remarkable.  A family of friends reconnected and for me, rediscovered or rather, for me and perhaps many, discovered for the first time.  Professor Michael Hayden, Canada.

Many thanks to the organisers and all those who attended the 50-year Reunion. It was a truly wonderful week. The pleasure of it all, the rekindling of friendships, the understanding of new advances and old problems and the pure fun of all being together again has made it a truly memorable event. Good health and happiness till the next reunion. Dr Allen Stidworthy, Somerset West