Professor Francis Thackeray

Class of 1970, Knapp-Fisher House

Dr. Thackeray is a world-renowned South African palaeoanthropologist and palaeontologist whose groundbreaking research has shaped our understanding of hominid evolution and environmental change. Earning his PhD from Yale University in 1984, he delved into the ancient past, analyzing faunal remains from Wonderwerk Cave. His passion for discovery began at the University of Cape Town, where he studied zoology, archaeology, and environmental studies.

Throughout his illustrious career, he has held pivotal roles, including Director of the Institute for Human Evolution (2009–2013) and Director of the Transvaal Museum. His contributions to the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis have added new dimensions to our knowledge of prehistoric environmental shifts. A recipient of the French National Order of Merit, Dr. Thackeray remains deeply engaged in research, contributing to the Kromdraai Research Project and continuing his quest to uncover the mysteries of our ancient origins.

Professor Andrew Thatcher

Class of 1988, MacRobert House

Professor Andrew Thatcher holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD in Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand. His teaching focuses on Industrial/Organisational Psychology, and he integrates research into his teaching, earning the 2004 Vice-Chancellor’s Individual Teaching Award and the 2007 University e-Learning Award. In 2021, Thatcher was elected to the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), recognising his contributions to ergonomics and human factors research. Internationally acclaimed, his work explores technology, sustainability, and the built environment in developing contexts. For his research he has received numerous awards including the 2022/23 National Science and Technology Foundation-South32 Green Economy Award and the 2023 Vice-Chancellor’s Innovation and Impact Award. He is currently President of the International Ergonomics Association and Editor-in-Chief of the journal ‘Ergonomics’. On his ASSAf recognition, he stated, “It is a great honour to be recognised by your peers in the scientific arena for the work we do to make South Africa a better place for all.”

Falk Eggert – Cinematography

Class of 1990, Knapp-Fisher House

Falk is a seasoned cinematographer based in Cape Town. With nearly 30 years of experience, he specialises in documentaries, particularly in natural history. Falk has worked with major clients like Discovery Channel, BBC, and Animal Planet, contributing to award-nominated documentaries such as Village vs. Empire, Killer Whales – The Mega Hunt, and Oculus Cat Flight.

He has successfully adapted to the industry’s transition from film to digital and HD and has extensive experience with specialised camera systems. He owns a Cineflex stabilised camera and is currently a partner at HIGH SPEED WORX, South Africa’s leading slow-motion film service company. Falk was also part of the Penguin Town cinematography team, which won three 2022 Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Cinematography.

Mandlakayise (Mandla) Dube – Cinematography

Class of 1988, Ochse House

Mandlakayise Walter Dube, an award-winning cinematographer and writer from Mabopane, Tshwane, holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Clark Atlanta University (1989-1993) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Cinematography and Film/Video Production from the American Film Institute (2000-2002). Mandla began his career at CNN World Report in Atlanta as an intern.  He has lectured at Wits Television and Tshwane University of Technology and consulted in both fields. His work spans documentaries, shorts, theatre, and feature films, including Tsotsi, The Italian Job, and Kalushi. His notable achievements include winning SAFTA 2013 Best Film and directing Sobukwe: A Great Soul. He produced music videos for Sony and the City of Tshwane and contributed to various arts projects, such as The Reburial of the Mapungubwe Remains. Mandla’s 2017 film Kalushi – The Story of Solomon Mahlangu won multiple awards, including Best Film at RapidLion and the Chairman’s Award at the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

Adrian Mee

Class of 1980, MacRobert House

Adrian brings over 35 years of investment banking experience across the US, UK, and Europe. He previously served as Co-Head of Global M&A at Bank of America and, before joining the Firm in 2010, was Global Head of M&A at Nomura and Head of International M&A at Lehman Brothers. Prior to that, he spent a decade at Morgan Stanley, where he co-led Global Healthcare Investment Banking, and held senior M&A roles at SG Warburg and Merrill Lynch. Holding an MA in Jurisprudence from Oriel College, Oxford, Adrian played a key role in major transactions, including advising Britain’s International Power Plc on its merger with GDF Suez SA in 2010.

Bruce MacRobert

Deputy HOS 1981, Head of New House

Bruce MacRobert is a private equity investor and Independent Board member who has over 32 years’ experience in the Private Equity and Financial services industries. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte in 1991 and later worked for three years in the Investec Bank corporate finance team from 1994 to 1997. Whilst at Investec he was involved in the privatization and sale of the SABC commercial radio stations in 1995/6.  Thereafter, he spent twenty years in the private equity business of Brait from 1997 to 2017 and was a Director of Brait South Africa for fifteen years and a Principal of Brait Fund IV, Brait’s large Buyout Fund. Whilst at Brait, he served on several Private Equity boards including the Boards of Kagiso Media Limited, Medu Capital, Brait’s Hedge Fund businesses, Primedia Holdings (10 years) and Consol Holdings for 17 years (10 years as Brait representative, 7 years as Independent). He was appointed Chairman of Consol in 2010 and currently chairs the new Ardagh Packaging Africa Board (Ardagh acquired Consol in 2022) and the Ardagh Risk Committee. He also represents Ardagh on the Stormers Rugby (Pty) Ltd Board. Based in Cape Town, he currently runs his own private equity investment programme, co-founding Network Investment Partners and serves on the boards of Network Investment Partners (Pty) Ltd, Afrihost Holdings (Chairman), Real Foods Investments (Pty) Ltd (Chairman) Silicon Sky Consulting, Stormers Rugby (Chairman) and Manor 101 Investments (Property development). He also serves on the Investment committee of Fortuna Investment Holdings. Bruce holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Town, an Honours degree in Accounting from the University of South Africa and is a Chartered Accountant (South Africa) registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).He serves as a Trustee on two private school Trusts. Married to Les, they have 4 children and live in Cape Town.

John Solomon

Class of 1982, Knoll House

John Solomon has been Vice President of Google ChromeOS and Education since May 2018, leading the platform’s growth and impact. A highly versatile and strategic technology leader, he previously served as VP of Enterprise and Government at Apple, spearheading its expansion into the US enterprise market. Before that, he held multiple SVP roles at HP, managing both its Printing and PC business units and overseeing a $20 billion P&L. Motivated by Google’s commitment to transformative change, Solomon saw a strong alignment between his holistic problem-solving approach—shaped by his South African roots—and Google’s culture of innovation. He was particularly drawn to the company’s “healthy disregard for the status quo,” believing that better technology and fresh approaches can drive meaningful change, even if it requires patience. Influenced by the work of John and his colleagues, and in recognition of the enormous potential of the continent, Google has made significant investments in South Africa’s digital economy. Following the Google for Africa event, the company pledged $1 billion over five years to support Africa’s digital transformation. This initiative aims to expand affordable internet access, develop impactful products, support entrepreneurship and small businesses, and empower non-profits to improve lives across the continent.

Nicolas (Nic) Kohler

Deputy HOS 1987, Head of Knapp-Fisher House

Nic Kohler is an actuary and business leader who has played a pivotal role in the insurance and fintech industries. A former Deputy Head of School and Head of Knapp-Fisher House in 1987, he matriculated from St Alban’s College with an A aggregate, placing second nationwide in the matric exams. Nic also placed in the top 10 in the national Maths, Science, and Computer Olympiads.

He pursued a BSc in Statistics and Actuarial Science at Wits, earning his Fellowship with the Institute of Actuaries in the UK in 1997. Nic began his career in 1992 at Commercial Union, where he worked at the intersection of coding and actuarial science before joining Hollard Insurance in 1997. Over 20 years at Hollard—10 of them as Group Chief Executive—he led the company’s transformation into South Africa’s second-largest short-term insurer and the largest independent insurance group, operating in 13 countries across three continents. He co-founded the Ethos AI Fund in 2018 and Chronos Capital in 2023, both of which invest in businesses leveraging data and algorithmic decision-making. In March 2020, Nic was co-opted as Chief Operating Officer of the Solidarity Fund, a rapid response partnership between government, business, and civil society to mobilise South Africa in the fight against the health, humanitarian, and social consequences of the COVID pandemic.

As a proponent of innovation, he has backed digital insurance ventures such as Naked Insurance and Simply and has served on the board of Endeavor South Africa, which identifies and supports high-impact entrepreneurs. He currently serves as Head of Global Insurance at Yellowwoods Ventures. Beyond business, Nic is passionate about leveraging business as a platform for making a significant and enduring positive impact on society. He helped establish South Africa’s first social impact bond, Bonds4Jobs, which uses pay-for-performance methodologies to fund innovative upskilling opportunities for excluded youth. He also committed Hollard as a founding partner to the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, which has placed over 1.2 million young South Africans in jobs and work opportunities since 2011. A firm believer in curiosity, hard work, and revolutionary thinking, Nic continues to drive change in the financial sector.

Itumeleng Kgaboesele

Class of 1988, PM 1989, Ochse House 

Itumeleng Kgaboesele is a distinguished Old Albanian whose career reflects the values of leadership, service, and excellence fostered at St Alban’s College. He is the Founder and CEO of Sphere Holdings, a leading mid-market investment holding company. Since its founding in 2003, Sphere has established a strong track record of partnering with leading privately-owned businesses across key sectors including industrial services, transportation, software development and education. Prior to launching Sphere, Itumeleng built a successful career in investment banking with Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch, and Citi in Johannesburg and London. He has served on the board of Telkom SA Limited and currently contributes his expertise as an independent non-executive director at Old Mutual Limited and Woolworths Holdings Limited. Driven by a deep commitment to education, he chairs the Board of Trustees of The Student Sponsorship Programme and previously served on the Board of Trustees of the African Leadership Academy. A Chartered Accountant (South Africa), he holds a BCom and Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of Cape Town and a Diploma in Financial Markets and Instruments from the University of Johannesburg. Through Sphere’s broad-based empowerment model, 20% of its shares were gifted to charitable organisations when the company was founded—benefiting more than five million people across South Africa. Itumeleng’s life and career stand as a powerful reflection of the values instilled at St Alban’s. He is recognised for his outstanding business leadership and his enduring commitment to expanding opportunity through education and empowerment.

Bryan Dean

Class of 1994, Knapp-Fisher House

Bryan is the CEO and Co-founder of Dragonfly Aerospace. Dragonfly is a global leader in high-performance imaging satellites and payloads, providing turnkey solutions that reduce risk and accelerate constellation deployment. Dragonfly launched its first optical Earth observation satellite, EOSSAT-1, in 2023 and operates the satellite and data chain providing analytics ready data to its customer, EOS Data Analytics. Dragonfly supplied the optical payload for BOTSAT-1, Botswana’s first national satellite that launched in March 2025, advancing space research and technology in Southern Africa. Dragonfly launched its first hyperspectral camera in 2021 and has subsequently become a trusted partner for hyperspectral missions globally.

Over the past five years, Dragonfly has partnered with customers from around the world, including Pixxel and Loft Orbital, to deliver advanced imaging payloads for next-generation Earth observation missions. Notably, Dragonfly contributed to NASA’s DART mission, supplying the camera for the Italian Space Agency’s LICIACube, which captured the first images of an asteroid impact in deep space. As Dragonfly scales production and expands partnerships, it prides itself with pushing the boundaries of space-based imaging technology.

David (Des) Anderson (1954-1993)

Comrades – 3 Golds

Class of 1972, New House

David (Des) Anderson was an accomplished long-distance runner and alumnus of St Alban’s College who won three Gold Medals in the prestigious Comrades Marathon, achieving top-10 finishes in 1981 (9th), 1982 (10th), and 1985 (5th). His impressive Comrades career earned him a Green Number, which is awarded to runners who achieve 3 wins, 5 Golds, or 10+ medals, and his race number 2140 is forever his. Despite not being known for speed or distance running in his school years, David developed a deep passion for running after high school, eventually becoming a renowned figure in Johannesburg’s running community, particularly known as the ‘hill man.’ His 1985 Comrades finish took place during the race’s Diamond Jubilee. David also made notable achievements in other ultra-marathons, including winning the Chicago Ultra Marathon (80km) in 5:13 and the US 50km title in 3:08:50. In addition, he placed 3rd in the London to Brighton race in 1982, alongside fellow South Africans Bruce Fordyce and Graham Fraser. His triumphs in these races were a testament to his dedication to the sport, his training, and his ability to endure the physical and mental challenges of competitive long-distance running. Anderson’s legacy in the marathon world is celebrated, particularly for his historical wins in two of the sport’s most renowned races.  David Anderson passed away on 2 August 1993. His death was mourned by many in the athletic community especially in South Africa, where he was celebrated for his accomplishments in long-distance running.

Richard Downey

Windsurfing

Class of 1980, New House

Richard received Springbok colours for windsurfing after competing in the 1982 World Championships in Sardinia, where he represented South Africa at both the World Windsurfer Racing Championships and the World Team Racing Championships. His sailing and windsurfing career spanned from 1981 to 1992, during which he participated in numerous local, national, and international events, including at renowned locations like Lake Garda (Italy), Toronto (Canada), Los Angeles, Maui (Hawaii), and Sylt (Germany), despite the challenges posed by apartheid. Throughout his career, Richard competed in significant events such as the South African Windsurfer Nationals and Windsurfer Team World Championships, and continues to inspire others with his passion for water sports and following one’s dreams.

Richard van Druten

Gridiron Football

Class of 1980, New House

Richard van Druten made history as the first South African to sustain a professional career in American gridiron football with the Kansas City Chiefs, following a distinguished rugby career with the Dallas Quins Rugby Club. Van Druten’s football journey began at Abilene Christian University (ACU), where he enrolled as a newcomer to the sport but quickly became a standout player. He earned a four-year letterman status (1984-1987) and moved into the starting lineup as an offensive tackle in his senior season. In 1987, he was named a first-team NCAA Division II All-America and earned unanimous first-team All-Lone Star Conference honours. He was also selected as ACU’s Best Blocker in 1987. Though he missed most of the 1985 season due to a knee injury, Richard’s determination and skill earned him a spot in the NFL, where he played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1988. He briefly played with the Atlanta Falcons before returning to the Chiefs. Richard’s rugby career at St Alban’s College was notable despite challenges in achieving provincial selection, with no players invited to Craven Week trials during the 1970s. In 1980, he and James Bland broke that drought, earning invitations to the trials. Richard was known for his exceptional running skills and line-out work but was not given enough opportunities to showcase his full potential. After his NFL career was cut short due to visa issues, he returned to complete his degree. In 2017, Richard was inducted into the Abilene Christian University Hall of Fame, marking a remarkable journey from St Alban’s to the NFL.

Joseph (Joe) Vipond

Water Polo

HOS 1981, Knoll House

Joe, Head of School in 1981, was one of the first Albanians to represent South Africa in international sport, an impressive achievement for St Alban’s at the time. He began playing water polo at St Alban’s College and was selected to the provincial under-19 level in 1981, moving on to senior provincial teams the following year. Joe made the South African U25 team in 1988 and was also selected for the South African Defence Force team in 1985 and 1986. Although he was selected for the national team in 1989, 1990, and 1991, international games were cancelled due to sanctions. In 1992, after the ANC lifted the sanctions, Joe was part of the first official post-apartheid South African water polo team to tour Hungary, Austria, and Israel. He played in the 1993 match SA vs. a Serbian side but retired from international competition shortly thereafter due to work commitments. Joe continued to play for his club and provincial teams, making the SA Masters water polo side for ten consecutive years before retiring at the age of 45. Throughout his career, he played over 150 provincial games and 20 official test matches. In addition to his water polo achievements, Joe received school colours for swimming, rugby and water polo and honours for life-saving.

John Gaydon

SA Masters Hockey

Class of 1983, New House

John Gaydon was a distinguished hockey player during his time at St. Alban’s College, earning school colours for his outstanding contributions to the sport. He was a key member of the 1st XI Hockey team from 1982 to 1984 and was selected for both the Northern Transvaal B Indoor and Outdoor Hockey teams in his matriculation year. He also represented the Transvaal Schools A team in 1984 while completing his post-matric year. Over the next 40 years, John continued to play first-team club hockey at the University of Cape Town, Varsity Old Boys (VOB), and Randburg Oblates, where he served as captain. He represented Western Province and Transvaal at the IPTB tournaments and captained the Southern Transvaal Country Districts Team in 1990 and 1991. On both occasions, he was also selected for the South African Country Districts Team. After turning 35, John represented Southern Transvaal/Gauteng at numerous Masters Tournaments across the country. The highlight of John’s hockey career came in 2016 when he represented South Africa at the Masters World Cup Hockey tournament in Canberra, Australia. After relocating to the Isle of Man in 2017, John earned two club league and cup medals playing for the 1st division island side Cronkbourne Bachanalians. He also toured with the Isle of Man Masters team.

Garth Ridgway

Masters Indoor Cricket

Class of 1986, PM 1987 & HOS 1987, Knoll House

Garth, a  Masters Indoor Cricket player has represented the South African Indoor Cricket Team three times, participating in three World Series. Garth has been selected to play for the Over 50s Indoor Cricket Squad at the Masters World Series in Sri Lanka, which will took place from 28 September to 5 October 2024. The tournament featured teams from various age groups, including women’s teams and men’s teams in the 35s, 40s, 45s, and 50s categories. Garth, wearing number 12, played a key role in the team’s strategy and is an experienced player crucial to their success.

Andrew Marshall

Swimming

Class of 1987, Knapp-Fisher House

Andrew was awarded his Springbok colours for swimming in 1991 after winning both the 100m and 200m backstroke events at the South African National Championships, where he also set a national record in the 200m backstroke. He went on to break this record on five occasions. His swimming career began at St Alban’s College, where he received honours in 1987. He represented Northern Transvaal from 1989 to 1992 and Western Province in 1993. In 1992, he represented South Africa on a tour to Hungary and later that year competed for South African Universities at the World Student Games. He was also named UCT Sportsperson of the Year in 1991. Andrew held the All Africa records for backstroke and was a three-time national champion in the 200m backstroke and once in the 100m. In 1987, the Marshall Cup for the 100m backstroke was donated to the school by the Marshall family in recognition of his achievements.

Gideon (Deon) Kruis

Cricket – over 50 Protea

Class of 1992, PM 1993, Knapp-Fisher House

Deon Kruis is a former South African first-class cricketer who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in England from 2004 to 2009 and represented Northern Transvaal, Griqualand West, and the Eagles in South Africa. A right-handed batsman and right-arm fast-medium bowler, he was one of Yorkshire’s standout bowlers during the 2006 season, helping the team remain in Division 1 of the County Championship. Deon retired at the end of the 2009 season. Recently, he was selected for the Proteas Veterans side and competed in an IPT in Johannesburg from 15-19 April 2024, playing for Eastern Province. He made a few runs and earned a spot on the team. In November 2024, he will be part of the South Africa A Over-50 squad for the Africa Cup in Namibia. Following that, Deon will compete in the Over-50 World Cup in Sri Lanka in February 2025.

Estiaan Kriek

SA Hockey

Class of 2013, Murray House

Estiaan Kriek is a South African hockey goalkeeper who has achieved remarkable success on the international stage. A member of the St Alban’s College Class of 2013 and Murray House, he earned school honours in both cricket and hockey. Currently residing in Amsterdam, he plays for SV Kampong Hockey’s Men’s First Team for the 2024/2025 season and was named a travelling reserve for Team SA at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Estiaan has been a key member of the SA Men’s Hockey Team since 2019, contributing to their victory in the 2022 FIH Nations Cup and competing in the 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup. In 2023, he was also part of the leadership group for the national team and played a crucial role in Pinoké Hockey’s Euro Hockey League playoff campaign, ultimately helping them become champions of Europe. Reflecting on his journey, Estiaan acknowledges the challenges and dedication required to excel as a goalkeeper, embracing the pressure and responsibility of his role. After facing disappointment four years ago, he set his sights on a new goal—qualifying for the Olympics—leading him on an intense path of discipline, perseverance, and a life-changing move to the Netherlands. Off the field, Estiaan has built a successful career in financial services as a Senior Consultant in M & A Transaction Services at Deloitte.

Brandon Valjalo

SA Olympic Team for Skateboarding

Class of 2016, MacRobert House

Brandon Valjalo, a professional skateboarder and Redbull athlete, is a member of the South African Olympic Team, having qualified for both the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics. At 26 years old, Valjalo’s skateboarding journey began at the age of three when he first tried his brother’s old skateboard. By age nine, he was fully immersed in the sport, frequenting local skateparks in Johannesburg. Valjalo made his mark on the skateboarding world in 2014 when, at just 14, he won both the South African Championship and the World Youth Championship at the Kimberley Diamond Cup (KDC). He successfully defended his South African Championship title the following year. In 2017, he claimed the title of African Champion at Ultimate X after battling through a tough competition that tested both his consistency and stamina. Valjalo then went on to compete in the World Cup skateboarding circuit across America and Europe. His Olympic debut in Tokyo was a milestone that he had never imagined when he first started skating. Outside of international competitions, Brandon continues to hone his skills at his favourite skateparks in California or at his local skatepark, YBF, in South Africa.

Phatutshedzo Shaun Maswanganyi

SA Olympic Team – Track and Field – silver medalist

Class of 2019, Knoll House

Phatutshedzo Shaun Maswanganyi (Class of 2019, Knoll), a member of the South African Olympic team, is a prominent track and field athlete specialising in the 100m and 200m. At just 23, he was selected for the South African team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he earned a silver medal as part of the 4×100m relay team. Maswanganyi’s impressive career includes winning a silver medal in the 100m and a gold in the 200m at the 2019 African U18 and U20 Championships in Abidjan. He currently holds the South African U20 national records for the 60m (6.65s) and 100m (10.06s). At the American Outdoor Track & Field Championships, he clocked a 100m time of 9.87s—a performance that would have set a new South African senior record were it not for wind assistance. In 2021, Maswanganyi qualified for both the 100m and 200m events at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His personal best in the 100m stands at 9.91s, a time he set in the NCAA Championship final in June 2023. He has reached the semi-finals in both the 100m and 200m at the Olympics and has placed in the top ten in the world in the 200m. In February 2024, he broke the South African indoor 200m record with a time of 20.41s in Texas, surpassing Ncincilili Titi’s 2018 mark.

Professor Grant McLaren

Class of 1969, Knoll House

Ophthalmologist, Professor Grant D. McLaren, knighted by the Order of St John for his extraordinary service to Ophthalmology in South Africa, received this prestigious honour in 2009. The Order of St John, a royal order of chivalry, has a rich history dating back over 900 years, originating from a hospital established by monks in Jerusalem to care for the sick and poor. Today, the Order operates internationally, providing first aid, healthcare, and support services across 42 countries, including 13 in Africa. The late Queen Elizabeth (1926-2022), and now her successor King Charles has the final say in who receives this esteemed knighthood, and McLaren is among the select South Africans, including Nelson Mandela, to be bestowed with this honour. Although his skills could have earned him a senior position in private practice, McLaren chose to work with St John Eye Hospital part of the training hospital circuit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, seeing his mission in Soweto as a vocation. “I am wired to serve and teach, and I derive great pleasure helping people to improve or regain their eyesight,” says McLaren. Between 1995 and 1997, he served as Acting Head of Ophthalmology at Wits University and was promoted to Adjunct Professor in 2006 for his work in glaucoma and orbital and plastic surgery. Professor McLaren, alongside Professor. I. Mayet, was a Principal Surgeon at St John from 1998 until his retirement in 2017.He spent time in Dr Peter Watson’s Glaucoma Unit at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, England in 1991 and in 1998 he spent a 6-month Sabbatical in Indianapolis, USA, in Orbit and Oculoplastic Surgery with Professor WR Nunery. In 2024 he was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.  On 13 February 2025, Professor McLaren received the DJ Woods Memorial Medal, a lifetime achievement award and most prestigious accolade in Ophthalmology in South Africa. This award is given after delivering a 50-minute lecture to the Plenary session of the annual national congress of the Ophthalmological Society of South Africa.