The 1994 Milton Address
MILTON HIGH SCHOOL, BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE
Headmaster, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen and last, but not least, boys.
I am greatly honoured by your invitation to deliver the 1994 Milton Address. Shortly after receiving the invitation I was sent copies of previous addresses and I confess to being daunted by the illustrious speakers you have had in the past. At the Milton address given on your 75th Anniversary in 1985 Sir Garfield Todd told Milton High School pupils that they should aspire to address the school at the age of 65. I am only 36 so am doubly honoured to be invited to address you at such a tender age. Perhaps Mr Mandikate made a mistake and presumed that my baldness indicated sufficient old age to merit this invitation.
Milton High School was established in the same year as the formation of the South African Union in 1910. In preparing this address I was reminded of the wonderful inauguration of President Mandela at the Union Buildings in Pretoria in April this year. It was entirely appropriate that the inauguration of such a great man and such a significant occasion should have taken place at such a gracious and historic location. President Mandela’s coming to power and South Africa’s transformation over the last few years has been almost miraculous and it stands in such vivid contrast to the gloom that overshadows most of the rest of Africa. Tonight I would like us to look at Africa’s woes and to consider some of the lessons I believe we can learn from our Southern neighbour this evening and from President Mandela himself.