Boishaaier 2021

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Hul de b l yk - R e n é v an Zy l

René van Zyl has made a valuable contribution to the English department since her appointment in 2001. René van Zyl

René created wonderful resources for the boys, which she shared with her colleagues. Over the years she had worked in the library, driven the school bus to numerous tennis matches, assisted with the school’s open-day arrangements and lent a hand at Interhouse swimming galas. She has touched the hearts of many of her students, many of her colleagues and friends who are grateful for the role she has played in their lives. As a mother of three and a grandmother of five, she has supported her family with much devotion, and they will welcome the extra time they get to spend with her. In a poem entitled “Retirement” written in 1847, Emily Brontë speaks of retirement in religious terms, where she welcomes the peace and solitude which having more free time in one’s life presents. She describes her intention of spending more time alone with God which is exactly what is important to René, being led by God when she has the freedom to enjoy this well-deserved time of quiet contemplation. After years filled with crammed timetables, noisy bells, noisy boys, deadlines and rush, René will agree with these lines from the poem:

No mortal ear is by. Away! ye dreams of earthly bliss, Ye earthly cares begone: Depart! ye restless wandering thoughts, And let me be alone! One hour, my spirit, stretch thy wings, And quit this joyless sod, Bask in the sunshine of the sky, And be alone with God.

With her numerous creative talents in the form of exquisite needle craft, art, the writing of stories and talents in the areas of copywriting, proofreading, editing and teaching English, she will undoubtedly continue to create, and to inspire, and to share her vast knowledge with others. A daughter knows the true nature of her mother better than anyone else; so, in closing, we quote René’s daughter, Lanie, who shared a beautiful photograph of René and herself on Facebook with the message: “Dis ek en my ma. Mamma, ek wil net sê dankie! Ma is ’n stunning vrou. Sterk, maar sag. Altyd vriendelik. Ma het smarts en styl. En dankie dat Mams my geleer het van God. Lief jou – Lanie.” God bless you, René, as you begin a new chapter in your life.

O, let me be alone a while No human form is nigh. And may I sing and muse aloud,

Sam Droomer

14 BOI SHAAI 153 YEARS