Kingswood College mourns the passing of Naas Ferreira, who died at Damant Lodge in Port Alfred on 17 October 2026, aged 84. With his passing, a significant chapter in the history of Kingswood has come to an end, but the memories of a man who devoted 25 years of his life to the College, its pupils and its sporting traditions will live on for generations to come.

Affectionately known as “Meneer”, Naas was far more than a teacher and a coach. He was a mentor, a disciplinarian, a loyal friend and, to countless young Kingswoodians, a father figure whose influence extended well beyond their schooldays. Beneath his sometimes gruff exterior lay a man with a deep affection for his pupils and an unwavering commitment to their development, both on and off the field.

Born in what was then Rhodesia, Naas attended Umtali Boys High School before pursuing his studies at Rhodes University, where he majored in Afrikaans. He subsequently completed his Certificate of Education through London and distinguished himself in the Bachelor of Education programme at Rhodes.

His teaching career began at Allan Wilson High School in Rhodesia in 1968. In 1980, he joined the staff of Kingswood College, beginning a remarkable association that would span 25 years, until his retirement at the end 2005.

During this time, Naas served not only as an Afrikaans teacher but also as Head of Department of Afrikaans, Housemaster of Gane House for 12 years, from 1982 to 1994, and tutor to the Bridging Year class from 1992 to 1997. Each of these roles called for commitment, patience and a genuine interest in the lives of young people, qualities that Naas brought to his work in his own inimitable way.

In the classroom, he was a man of few words, firmly focused on the task at hand. However, there was one subject guaranteed to distract Meneer from his lesson plan: rugby! It was apparently no secret that pupils could derail an Afrikaans lesson simply by asking him a question about the game. Once the conversation turned to rugby, there was every chance that the lesson would take an entirely different direction! His classroom was reportedly adorned with photographs of the many teams he had coached, a fitting reflection of the enormous place that rugby and his players occupied in his life.

While Naas was a dedicated educator, it was on the sports field that he became an institution in his own right. Rugby was his great passion, and his contribution to Kingswood rugby was extraordinary. He served two terms as coach of the 1st XV, first from 1980 to 1993 and again from 2002 to 2005. This amounted to an incredible 18 seasons at the helm of the College’s premier rugby team, a record of service that must surely rank among the most remarkable in Kingswood’s history. He was an exceptionally gifted forwards coach who understood that a successful team required far more than physical strength and technical ability. He demanded commitment, discipline and teamwork, and he instilled in his players a sense of pride in representing their school. His influence was felt in the way his teams prepared, competed and supported one another. And then, of course, there was the unmistakable sight of Meneer on the touchline. A devoted pipe smoker, Naas could often be found sitting on his haunches beside the field, pipe in hand, watching the action unfold. Those who witnessed him during tightly contested matches will remember how the tension seemed to be measured by the increasingly frequent plumes of smoke rising from his pipe! It was an image that became synonymous with Kingswood rugby and one that will undoubtedly bring a smile to the faces of countless Old Kingswoodians.

Yet, for all his gruffness and apparent toughness, Naas cared deeply for his players. He treated them like family, offering encouragement, guidance and support when they needed it most. He believed in his boys, sometimes perhaps even before they believed in themselves. His mentoring was constant, his loyalty unwavering, and the relationships he forged often endured long after the final whistle of their school careers.

It is little wonder that conversations among Old Kingswoodians still frequently turn to Meneer, accompanied by a generous helping of banter and fond recollections. These stories are more than entertaining memories; they are a testament to the special place he occupied in the lives of those he coached.

One of the highlights of his coaching career was undoubtedly the Kingswood College rugby tour to Australia in 2005, a memorable experience that brought together his love of rugby, his dedication to his players and the spirit of camaraderie that he helped foster.

Naas’s sporting contribution was not confined to rugby. He was also passionate about water polo and coached the Kingswood boys’ 1st team for a number of years. His sporting experience extended back to his time in Rhodesia, where he served as a selector for the Rhodesian national water polo team and was appointed manager of the team for the 1978–79 period. His understanding of sport, his eye for talent and his ability to get the best out of those around him made him a valued figure wherever he served.

Naas’s contribution to Kingswood was never limited to the classroom or the sports fields. His 12 years as Housemaster of Gane House were particularly significant, placing him in a position of responsibility for the daily lives, welfare and development of generations of boarders. Housemasters occupy a special place in the life of a boarding school. They are there for the triumphs and disappointments, the homesickness and the laughter, the moments of uncertainty and the small victories that help young people grow into adults. Naas understood the importance of this responsibility and approached it with the same steadfast commitment that characterised everything he did.

He may not have been a man given to grand speeches or elaborate expressions of affection, but his care was evident in his actions. He was there when he was needed, he took his responsibilities seriously, and he expected the best from those entrusted to him.

For many of his pupils, the lessons they learnt from Meneer extended far beyond Afrikaans, rugby tactics or the rules of water polo. They learnt about loyalty, perseverance, accountability and the importance of standing by one’s teammates. These are lessons that stay with a person long after the schoolbooks have been put away and the boots have been hung up.

That, perhaps, is the true measure of an educator and mentor: not simply what he taught, but the lasting difference he made in the lives of those he taught.

There was another side to Naas that those who knew him will remember fondly: his love of roses. He was something of an expert in growing them, although the demands of teaching, coaching and boarding school life often left him with precious little time to devote to this particular passion. Following his retirement from Kingswood, Naas and Gay invested in a florist shop in Makhanda, allowing him to explore his appreciation for flowers and perhaps enjoy a little more time away from the demands of school life. It was a fitting pursuit for a man who, despite his reputation as a tough rugby coach, clearly appreciated beauty and the rewards that come from nurturing something with care and patience.

Kingswood was not simply where Naas worked; it was woven into the fabric of his family.

His beloved wife, Gay, was also a teacher at Kingswood, and together they raised their two sons, Anton and Martin. The Ferreira family became part of the College’s extended family, and it would be difficult to find a household with a stronger connection to the red and black. The family connection continues into the present generation, with Anton’s two children now attending Kingswood. Their enrolment must have been a particularly proud moment for Naas, allowing him to see his grandchildren follow in the footsteps of their father and grandparents and become part of the school community that had meant so much to him.

Sadly, Gay and Martin predeceased Naas, leaving a profound void in his life. Their passing makes this loss all the more poignant.

To Anton and his family, we offer our heartfelt condolences. Please know that Kingswood is more than a school community; it is a family, bound together by shared experiences, enduring friendships and a deep sense of belonging. In the days ahead, may you draw comfort from the knowledge that your father’s legacy is cherished by so many people whose lives he touched.

Naas Ferreira was not a man who sought the limelight. He was a man of few words, immense commitment and quiet determination. He believed in doing a job properly, in giving his best and in expecting others to do the same.

For 25 years, he gave his time, energy and considerable talents to Kingswood College. He taught in the classroom, guided young men in the boarding house, developed players on the sports field and helped shape the character of generations of Kingswoodians.

His legacy cannot be measured simply in the number of rugby seasons he coached, the teams he guided or the positions he held. It is measured in the lives he influenced, the confidence he instilled, the friendships he helped forge and the memories that continue to bring a smile to the faces of those who knew him.

For many, he will always be remembered as the formidable forwards coach with the pipe, the Afrikaans teacher who could be distracted by a rugby conversation, and the gruff but deeply caring Meneer who treated his pupils as his own. For others, he will be remembered as the housemaster who helped make Kingswood home. And for all who had the privilege of knowing him, he will remain a true Kingswood character: unique, steadfast, deeply committed and impossible to forget.

A giant Kingswood tree has fallen yet the roots he planted run deep, and the branches of his influence continue to spread through the generations of pupils, players and Old Kingswoodians who carry a part of him with them.

Naas, thank you for your service, your loyalty, your humour and your unwavering commitment to Kingswood College. Thank you for the lessons taught, the boys and girls mentored, the teams coached and the countless memories created along the way. You may have laid down your pipe and left the touchline for the last time, but your presence will endure wherever Kingswoodians gather to reminisce about the good old days and inevitably find themselves talking about Meneer.

Rest in peace, Naas. You will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.