5 November 2025
(Feature photo: KZN Coastal Khaya Majola cricketer Tim Saulez was the centrepiece of one of the pieces of art on display in the foyer of the Ken Mackenzie Hall)
Clifton College hosted its annual Sport, Arts, and Service Awards on Friday evening, honouring those who have excelled in 2025 by making valuable contributions to the school and its community in those three spheres.
Once upon a time, in many schools those three spheres were not valued equally and accorded equal recognition, but times have changed, although Clifton’s hosting of a singular event to celebrate all three together appears to be, at the very least, extremely rare. It might be unique.
Apart from the presentation of awards, the evening also featured musical performances, which began with the College Orchestra‘s rendition of The Bells of Notre Dame, from The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Jung An, the winner of the Classical Instrumental Category of the 2025 College Music Competition, performed Etude Op. 25 No. 9 by Frédéric Chopin, while Lucas Peria, who always appears to be having the time of his life while performing, took to the piano and performed his arrangement of Chris Martin‘s Fix You. He was the winner of the Contemporary Vocal Category of the College’s Music Competition.
The College Choir closed the evening with an entertaining performance of Bill Joel‘s River of Dreams.
“We honour the spirit of collaboration, the strength of community, and the power of unity,” Executive Headmaster Clyde Mac Donald said before sharing a thought-provoking speech about how science and art are linked not diametrically opposed.
“Unity across disciplines will always be the source of innovation and progress,” he said.
“Further back in history, there was a time when art and science were united, intrinsically connected. In the Renaissance, they were considered as one.
“Leonardo Da Vinci painted with the same hand that sketched flying machines and anatomy. In the Renaissance, creativity and enquiry were not rivals. They were partners. The artist was the scientist. The scientist was the philosopher, and the philosopher the craftsman.
“Da Vinci once said, ‘To develop a complete mind, study the art of science, the science of art, learn how to see, realise that everything connects to everything else.”
With the Headmaster’s words in mind, it was interesting to note how many of the awards’ recipients excelled in multiple arenas. Versatility and participation are clearly encouraged at Clifton.
The loudest cheers of the evening were reserved for Darshan Naidoo, who received the Head Boy’s Trophy for Service to the Community. He had contributed an astonishing 770 hours to various causes. The lessons of service he learnt in school will surely continue with him serving his future communities with distinction.
Within the realm of art and culture, Lucas Peria was a standout, receiving the Myrin Naidoo Trophy for the Most Committed Chorister, the Trophy for Outstanding Supporting Actor, the Trophy for Outstanding Vocalist, and The Mitchell Family Trophy for Cultural Excellence.
The Bresler Trophy for All-Round Senior Sportsman of the Year went the way of Timothy Saulez, who picked up five awards.
A first team hockey player, he excelled, especially, on the cricket field. Saulez, who will represent KZN Coastal at the Khaya Majola Week in December, also received the Tommy Bilson Best Batsman Trophy, the 1st Team Best All-Rounder Award, the Zak Paruk Trophy for Outstanding Captaincy, and The Shave Family Special Achievers Award, which he shared with Zach Williamson.
Williamson, who represented KZN Coastal at the Inter-Provincial Hockey Tournament, was named the Hockey Player of the Year. He also earned 100 caps for the cricket 1st XI and received The Rowe Trophy for Senior Sportsman of the Year. The Rolfe Trophy, presented to the Junior Sportsman of the Year, went to Miguel Suarez.
Rahil Gopal demonstrated his creativity and versatility by winning the Film Academy‘s Trophy for the Most Accomplished Editor and the “Spirit of Cinema” Award. To that, he added The Foundation Trophy for Junior Individual Public Speaking.
Mohammed Mujahid Hansa also doubled up in those two spheres, receiving The College Trophy for Senior Individual Public Speaking while also winning The Skye Meaker Trophy for Most Promising Photographer and The Simon Boulle Trophy for Senior Individual Debating.
Huven Naidoo caught the eye for his contributions to music. He was awarded The Naum Rousine Trophy for Contribution to the Clifton Orchestra, The Leslie-Smith Family Trophy for Overall Outstanding Musicianship, and The Director’s Trophy for Cultural Achievement.
Three boys caught the eye in their green blazers for achieving national colours, while a number of coaches looked resplendent, too, in their green blazers.
Caleb Malumbete represented South Africa in water polo, while Griffin Price won his national colours in fly fishing, and Dante D’Amico received his for mixed martial arts.
A tip of hat, also, to Cohen Naidoo, who received The Founders’ Trophy in recognition of his sportsmanship.
The awards served as evidence of Headmaster Clyde Mac Donald’s contention that everything is linked and underlined the benefits of creativity and adaptability.
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