23 22 The Chronicle 2021 Centenary Edition The absence of inter-school sport for much of 2021 presented an opportunity to offer the senior boys exposure to cutting edge technologies and trends in the current global working world. A six-module course covering Drone Technology and another detailing Online Share Trading, designed with assistance from Old Boys and other industry leaders, was offered to interested boys. The first Drone module, presented by Old Boy Tim Wise, currently CEO of PACSys, provided a sensory overload of sound and visual awe to the Grade 11 and 12 boys watching from the Medworth stand on The Stott. Tim discussed agricultural applications, before providing his captive audience with a crop-spraying demonstration. The second module provided boys with insight into the pros and cons of using technology for conservation. Dr Debbie Jewitt, a researcher with KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife, spoke on ‘Is drone tech the silver bullet? Successes and Failures’. Her presentation - from drone usage in law enforcement, incident investigation and species monitoring to eco-tourism marketing, seed planting and mapping was interspersed with fascinating video material. Further presentations covered autonomous robotics, including drones and robots, and how they work; and optronic sensors and their functionality on unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters. A presentation ‘The Internet of Things’ by Hensoldt, a Tshwane company of global repute in the manufacture of optronic sensors, explored the integration of technologies, including drones. Old Boys Stuart van der Veen and Josh Perry presented two live sessions from tech start-up Aerobotics in Cape Town, together with the company’s personnel in Los Angeles. Their ‘Drones, imagery and computer vision in industry’ presentation included the application of drone technology in relation to the insurance industry and agriculture. Enrichment Courses The absence of inter-school sport for much of 2021 presented an opportunity to offer the senior boys exposure to cutting edge technologies and trends in the current global working world. STRONGER TOGETHER Kearsney has an extensive community service programme which affords each boy the opportunity to serve and contribute to his community in a variety of ways throughout his years at the College. Whilst COVID-19 restricted the College’s formal outreach programme, we are extremely proud of our pupils’ individual community service efforts. The mass looting and civic violence which devastated KwaZulu-Natal during July 2021 saw our current pupils, Old Boys and the College itself become involved in meaningful ways. Many of our boys assisted in protecting their own communities by doing night patrols, helping to fight cane fires caused by arson, assisting with cleaning-up operations and providing food and essential items to those communities which were badly affected by the unrest and the resultant shortages. Boys who undertook voluntary community tasks are commended for their efforts despite facing a full day of online academic schooling each day. Kearsney College facilities were used for regular community meetings during this time, to discuss and plan how best to ensure that businesses and the community could operate. When basic food staples were unavailable on retailers’ shelves and fridges following the looting, food supplies from Kearsney’s kitchen were parceled and delivered in unmarked vehicles to 25 KwaZulu-Natal hospitals. Tensions were raised in the area leading to KwaNyuswa in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, adjacent to the College. Old Boy Nick Nzama brought together people from all walks of life – from neighbourhood watch members and indunas to taxi operators and local businesspeople – to prevent the destruction and anger from spreading into Botha’s Hill, Hillcrest and beyond. Nick has deep ties to both communities, having been raised on a local chicken farm where his mother worked as a labourer, to being given a bursary to attend Kearsney, and now as a successful strategic planner and motivational speaker. His negotiations led to better community understanding and respect, thereby helping to ensure the local supermarket, petrol station and other retailers were able to re-open, allowing residents access to essential goods and services. His efforts led to the establishment of the Outer West Initiative – which encompasses a group of leaders from business and the greater community who are working together to create strategic direction in co-creating the vision for a secure and thriving community in the Outer West of eThekwini. KZN Unrest - July 2021
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