Kingswood College had the distinct honour of hosting Mrs Betty MacMillan, Mr Jim and Mrs Darcy Heild, and Mrs Harriet Norgren on the 19th of September 2024. As benefactors through the WEM Foundation, they have played a crucial role in supporting Kingswood’s scholarship programme over the past 25 years.
This visit was particularly poignant, celebrating not only their long-standing relationship with Kingswood, but also their connection to St Andrew’s College and DSG (Diocesan School for Girls) and their impact on our community through education.
The Kingswood visit took place on Tuesday morning, beginning with a campus tour that concluded with a lunch at the Wyvern Club. The morning was filled with heart-warming moments as the visitors were immersed in Kingswood life, from the Junior to Senior school, the classroom to the sports field. They had the opportunity to meet current recipients of WEM Foundation scholarships, seeing first-hand the impact of their generosity, and were also presented with heartfelt letters from past scholarship recipients who chose to share in the special day from afar. In recognition of their lasting contributions, bricks bearing the names of Betty and Whitney MacMillan, along with the WEM Foundation, were placed on the school’s Jubilee Pathway, solidifying their place within Kingswood’s legacy and family.
During tea, the group was joined by Mr. Michael and Mrs. Jeanie Bandey. Mr Bandey played a pivotal role in establishing the MacMillans’ relationship with Kingswood 25 years ago. The gathering was filled with laughter and warmth as old friends reconnected and reflected on the many years of partnership.
This visit held deep meaning not only for Kingswood College but for the entire Makhanda community. It provided an opportunity to celebrate the WEM Foundation’s final grant of $2 million to all three schools in August 2023, a gift that marked the conclusion of the Foundation’s philanthropic journey.
An intimate dinner was hosted by DSG Head Mr. Jannie and Mrs. Suzanne de Villiers to welcome the guests on Monday evening, giving them a true Eastern Cape welcome to our town. St Andrew’s College then hosted a special dinner on the Tuesday evening, attended by Heads of School, special guests and Council members from all three schools in celebration of their visit. The evening highlighted the unity of our institutions and our shared mission to uplift our Makhanda community through education.
Setting the tone for the beautiful evening of celebration, guests were welcomed by the sounds of the St Andrews and DSG Chamber Choir, and Kingswood College string and brass ensembles. Pupil heads from all three schools, including Kingswood’s Munangi Kamwendo and Matipa Karimazondo, along with St Andrew’s Tom Clucas and DSG’s Loapi Mokgatlhe, then delivered heartfelt addresses that captured the significance of the evening and the transformative power of education.
The relationship between Kingswood and the WEM Foundation began with a connection made by Mr Bandey, then Deputy Head of Kingswood Senior School, who facilitated the first meeting between the MacMillans and the school. This introduction blossomed into an enduring friendship, with the MacMillans visiting Kingswood several times over the years.
Now, with Mrs. Betty MacMillan in her early 90s, this visit is likely to be her last. However, the impact of her and Whitney MacMillan’s generosity will live on, both in the opportunities they have created for Kingswood pupils and in the indelible mark they have left on the school’s history.
As Kingswood bids farewell to the WEM Foundation, it does so with immense gratitude for the decades of support that have shaped the lives of so many pupils – across all the schools. The bonds forged during this visit will continue to inspire future generations of Kingswoodians to give back, much like the MacMillans have done so selflessly.