Lord Peter Hain joins the Kingswood Foundation and guests for a relaxed, intimate evening in aid of the Legends Fund.

This year, Kingswood had the honour of adding yet another distinguished name to the list of Neil Aggett Memorial Lecture speakers: Lord Peter Hain. Activist, politician (former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland), and author, Lord Hain has committed many years to the fight against injustice.

Following the lecture and two days of workshops with Kingswood pupils and pupil leaders from school across Makhanda, Lord Hain joined the Kingswood Foundation and guests for a relaxed, intimate evening in aid of the Legends Fund (8 March 2023).

Many don’t know, but Lord Hain is the first cousin to our very own Brian Stocks (OK 1965) who made not only the evening possible, but the entire visit.  Our sincere thanks must go to Brian and Edna for sharing Lord Hain with the Kingswood community during his visit to them, it was an enriching experience for all involved.

Born in Kenya to South African parents, Lord Hain spent his formative years in Pretoria (and fondly remembered his family holidays to Port Alfred) until his family fled the country when he was 16 in 1966, after both his parents had been jailed for their anti-apartheid activism work.

The family relocated to London, England where Lord Hain completed his schooling and began his own life path of politics and activism that still define his life and calling today.

Many guests on the evening recalled his campaign focused on stopping ‘all-white’ South African sports tours in the late sixties and early seventies that led to the isolation of South African sport.  

A relaxed and affable guest, Lord Hain gave a thought-provoking address and held an animated question and answer session. Guests also had the opportunity to buy some of his books and have them signed personally which was a fantastic addition to the evening, and provided guests with a memorable token from the experience.

Thank you to the Kingswoodians and our community members that supported the event and the truly worth cause of the Legends Fund.