15 Years Ago
For the second time in three weeks,
this column reports a presidential visit to the school. This one occurred almost
exactly a century later than Roosevelt’s visit.
From The Bridge,
[vol. XXXIV], no. 1, p. 3; October 11, 2002.
Mbeki Pays a Visit
It was a hot day when the leaders
of the NMH community welcomed Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South
Africa to the school. On Friday, September 13, security was high, complete with
helicopters circling overhead and uniformed security guards patrolling the
grounds around Ford Cottage, where the President was scheduled to arrive later
that afternoon. Medical personnel and an ambulance were on hand. The NMH
orchestra tuned up, their notes mingling with those of the NMH Singers under
the direction of Sherrill Blodget, interim director of the choral and vocal
program. Rehearsing a South African freedom song, “Singabahambayo,” Blodget and
her students swayed in time to the music. Blodget said the song signifies
coming together, even under difficult times and conditions, with hope and
faith.
“It feels pretty good to know the
School is proud of us,” said Kyler Chavez ’05 of the NMH Singers, “to trust us
enough to do something so fragile.”
Trustees and heads of departments
were in attendance, including head of the music department, Ron Smith. “I’m
thankful this is going to happen,” Smith said, “They’re really allowing the
whole school to get involved and know what it means.”
Members of the NMH honor guard lined
up along the path leading to Ford Cottage, a little before 1:00 in the
afternoon. Excitement and anticipation seemed to run high, and at 1:15 people
were still in good spirits.
Owen Barron ’06, a member of Randy
Stevens’ Comparative Politics class, said, “I think just a chance to meet
someone who’s done so much for other people is a really special thing.”
“It’s great because he’s the most
important visitor we’ve ever had,” said peer mediator Michael Skillicorn ’04.
By 1:25, anticipation was still
high, but the mood was growing more tense as Mr. Mbeki still did not make an
appearance.
Khadija Ali ’03 student leader of
South Crossley, described the vision of the president changing in the
collective imagination of the group. “I think we’re very excited and anxious.” said
Ali, “He’s almost taken a different form.”
Finally, at 1:27, a police cruiser
approached, followed by black sedans, a van, and another police car. After a
few moments, President Mbeki could be seen surrounded by both school and
political officials, including the South African ambassador to the United
States, Shiela Sisulu. Greetings, handshakes and kisses were exchanged.
Students Whitney Walters and Tumi
Sisulu gave the President flowers. He then started jovially up the path,
smiling and laughing. At a slow pace necessitated by the throng of students
eager to shake hands with a world leader, he proceeded up the path while
security officials kept a vigilant watch. After about five minutes of solid
handshaking and warm greetings, the World Music Combo and NMH Singers performed
as the President sang along.
Later, the President addressed the
entire school in the Auditorium. His speech focused mainly on the value of
education, the history of the ANC, Pixley Ka Isaka Seme’s (class of 1902) role
in its founding, and thanking the school for its part in Seme’s education. The
President spoke little about current world issues, just briefly touching on the
subject near the end of his speech.
“We’ve got to end the situation of
military coups and military dictatorships,” said Mbeki, “to punish poverty,
punish hunger.”
Student reactions to the speech
were mixed. “I was glad the speech was personalized to our school’s history,
but I was hoping for more discussion of world issues,” said Auby Koehler ’03.
As for official reactions, head of
school Richard Mueller was delighted with the speech and the student body’s
reaction to it.
“For all of us, being able to host
Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, and his wife, was
thrilling,” said Mueller in a statement. “I was proud of the enthusiastic
response of our students and community. President and Mrs. Mbeki certainly felt
our warm welcome.”
Dean of student life Randy Stevens
had a similar reaction. “I think he really wanted to express gratitude to the
school,” said Stevens. “We’re still the same school Pixley graduated from.