Boishaaier 2025

Totsiens Johann Obermeyer

Johann Obermeyer

Minette Visagie & Daniel Warren

Mnr Johann Obermeyer se verbintenis met Hoër Jongenskool Paarl het in die derde kwartaal van 2014 begin. Die skool was in ’n moeilike posisie om daardie tyd van die jaar sonder ’n Geskiedenisonderwyser te sit. Hulle het die universiteit genader en is sodoende verwys na mnr Obermeyer wat uiteindelik tot nou toe “uitgehelp” het.

that I disliked the most. Those who are perceptive will realise that this probably wasn’t the best thing to say to the head of the History department. Once he had told me this fact, I instantly changed my tune and told him that I mispronounced the word Geography, and that he had merely misheard me. This was the start of my relationship with Mr Obermeyer. Mr Obermeyer has an incredibly unique teaching style. His approach was always to treat his students

Mnr Obermeyer het beide sy laer- en hoërskoolloopbaan net soos sy familie aan sy pa se kant by De Kuilen in Kuilsrivier voltooi. Sy vrou, Yolandi, was ook saam met hom in matriek. Sy oorspronklike plan was om Sielkunde te studeer, maar Geskiedenis, wat eintlik vir hom bloot ’n stopvak was, prikkel hom toe meer om in ’n akademiese rigting te gaan en uiteindelik aan ’n universiteit te doseer. Die ervaring van skoolgee was vir hom ‘n stappie in daardie rigting. Ironies genoeg beslaan die grootste deel van die modules wat hy by Akademia gaan aanbied Sielkunde: professionele onderwys, Sosiopedagogie, en Opvoedkunde met ‘n klein mate van Geskiedenis en Geografie. Die sirkel word dus inderwaarheid voltooi. Mnr Obermeyer het ook vroeër die geleentheid gehad om vir ’n jaar lank in Gwangju in Suid-Korea skool te gee. Sy leerders praat met groot waardering van hom. Hulle verwys na sy unieke onderrigstyl en die feit dat hy hulle binne perke soos volwassenes benader het en hulle professioneel dog vriendelik hanteer het. Hulle het ook sy opregte belangstelling in hulle ervaar tydens die buitemuurse aktiwiteite waarby hy betrokke was, veral English Debating. Sy aanmoediging, inspanning en ondersteuning was opreg en daarom oortuigend. Hulle onthou hom vir die ernstige gesprekke, maar ook vir die vele ligter oomblikke in en buite sy klas. My journey at Paarl Boys’ started by meeting the legend himself, Mr Obermeyer. He was the man responsible for interviewing me and would thus play a large part in determining whether I made the cut. One of the first questions asked to me was, “So, Daniel, what is your least favourite subject at the moment?” My immediate reply was something along the lines of, “I like most of my subjects, except History.” I then went on a short ramble about how History was unequivocally the subject

as adults (unless we decided that we weren’t worthy of that treatment). This taught me that there was a possibility of having a professional yet friendly relationship with teachers. To tell you the truth, Mr Obermeyer taught me that, well, teachers are people, too. I have had the privilege of taking up Mr Obermeyer’s time after school hours too as he was the manager for English Debating. From day one, he showed his passion for the sport and has never failed to cheer the boys on. Even after I had become the debating coach, Mr Obermeyer ensured that I was comfortable within the position and that the boys were receiving the best experience possible. I would always look forward to the debating camps on the field, and after having had the pleasure of tasting Mr Obermeyer’s potjie in 2020, I knew that I had to stick with the sport for the rest of my high school career. With Mr Obermeyer, one could always expect the perfect balance between deep-topic conversation, laughs and unforgettable teaching moments. It is for this fact that he will go down as one of the greatest teachers of all time. The legacy of Mr J Obermeyer will be one that sticks around for many years to come. I was not the only lucky soul to spend time with this incredible man though; the qualities pointed out here, as well as countless stories, will be shared and cherished amongst the crowd of students and Old Boys who had the pleasure of interacting with the legend himself. You are leaving behind an incredible legacy, Sir, I am proud to have called you my teacher. And though we will miss you deeply, I can’t help but feel excited (and maybe slightly jealous) for the students who will have the privilege of learning from you next year. Best of luck on your journey.

BOISHAAI 157 YEARS 7