Pelican Park High's 'Gentleman’s Day': Shaping young men for success

Grade 12 boys at Pelican Park High School were given the opportunity to learn what it means to be a gentleman, and how the decisions they make today could impact their future, during a special workshop held on Saturday, June 21.

Special guests at the Gentleman’s Day included Juven Rittles, deputy director of the office for ethics and accountability (OEA) at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and Mark Jackson, businessman and founder of MFJ Foods and Florance Vermeulen, a teacher at Apex High School, in Eerste River.

Shariefa Clark, acting principal of Pelican Park High, said: "The Gentleman’s Day was an elegant, formal event where the boys wore blazers and engaged in discussions and activities focused on leadership, personal growth, and what it means to be a man. Many of our boys come from single-parent households with absent fathers, and we recognise the impact this can have on their development," she said.

This event was designed as a “growth mindset - transform to perform” experience, aimed at equipping them with valuable life skills.

“We envisioned an inspiring day with guest speakers and a structured programme to help guide them toward becoming responsible and confident young men who take their rightful place in society," said Ms Clark.

Mr Rittles shared his own powerful story: "I spoke to the learners about how the decisions they make affect their destiny. I then showed them the scar on my head. When I was their age, I was approached by the Mongrels gang in Beacon Valley, Mitchell’s Plain, where I grew up. They asked me to join. But I thought of my mother, who raised my sibling and me all on her own, and the sacrifices she made to ensure we got a proper education."

Mr Rittles continued: "My mother worked tirelessly to put food on the table and pay our school fees. She often returned home after 3 p.m. When I refused to join the gang, one of them hit me on the head with a pole—hence the scar. I told myself, ‘I would rather die than join a gang'."

He said his story resonated with the pupils.

"I was invited back to the school to share more about my journey, including growing up without a father. That didn’t stop me from succeeding. It’s about taking ownership of your life and remembering who made sacrifices for you. I couldn’t disappoint my mother."

Mr Jackson from Eastrigde said: "Growing up in Eastridge, Mitchell’s Plain, we were surrounded by gangsterism, political struggles, and harsh socio-economic conditions. But through it all, our teachers played a vital role. They guided us, showing us that we had a choice.”

Mr Jackson said, life wasn’t easy.

“I faced learning challenges from a young age, and the odds weren’t in my favour. But I decided that my starting point would not define my destination. Through hard work, respect for others, and perseverance, I built something to be proud of. Today, I’ve raised a family and run my own business for the past 21 years,” he said. 

He said that what he learned was this: “A slight change in direction, one good decision, can completely alter a young person’s path. Just as I was guided, others can be too. That’s why schools like Beaconvale High (where he attended) are so important,  they’ve produced teachers, doctors, and professionals who once walked the same streets we did.”

It’s time for alumni to return, he said.

“Not only to tell their stories, but to show today’s youth that success is possible. From Eastridge to District Six, our young people need to know that support is available, options exist, and staying away from negative influences opens the door to a brighter future.”

Let’s keep steering them in the right direction, was his mission. “Shaping mindsets through values,” he said.

Mr Vermeulen, originally from Kylemore Village, outside Stellenbosch, delivered an inspiring message during the workshop.

"I tapped into my own life experiences," he said. "You are not alone, we’ve all experienced trauma. But how you navigate through it determines who you become."

Mr Vermeulen spoke about growing up and finding the need to mentally prepare himself. He credited community development projects, religious leaders, and teachers as key influences in his journey.

"I could see their intention to help me reach my potential. There were many contributors who shaped who I am today. I became a sponge, open to learning and guidance."

Mr Vermeulen reminded pupils that despite difficult circumstances, they have the power to make different choices.

"You are not a product of your environment - you are a product of your choices," he said.

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Mr Vermeulen introduced the concept of linking values to each letter in the word gentleman, making it meaningful for youth growing up on the Cape Flats, where poverty, gangsterism, and broken homes are daily challenges.

"Having values is essential to navigating life. We need to break the generational curse. Poverty isn’t just about money, it’s also a mindset."

He urged Muslim/Christian or any religious pupils to reconnect with the values taught in their religion, explaining that values help define one’s role in society.

"With high unemployment, our youth must step up. They need to take up space - aware of the realities of the Cape Flats, but also confident in their worth," said Mr Vermeulen.