Our endearing, fascinating history is our pride and joy at The Ridge School. Take a mesmerising journey through time with us as we recount the three generations of Hersovs at our school all the way from 1935 until 2016!
It All Began With Basil (1935-1939)
Basil Hersov (b 1926) is currently the oldest living ex-pupil of The Ridge. He turned 95 in August 2021. From the Ridge (1935-1939), Basil went to Michaelhouse in 1940. After the war, he went to Cambridge University and returned to SA after the death of his father in 1949. He enjoyed a successful career in aviation and continued to fly as a private (qualified commercial) pilot until the late 2000s. He fondly remembers being made captain of The Ridge swimming team and days of boyish fun.
“There was a pupil we called Mad Ritchie. He was always making guns and guillotines. When we were playing marbles, if you lost, you had to put your finger in his little guillotine, and you had to get it out quickly because it actually worked!”
Basil was also a governor of The Ridge and then chairman of the board from 1976-83. His brother Ronnie (b 1928) attended The Ridge (1936-1941) and also went on to Michaelhouse. He has lived in various European countries and now spends a large part of his time with his wife June in southern Spain. Ronnie’s son Charles (b 1963) spent two years at the Ridge (1970-1971) and then attended school in the UK.
Generation Two (1967-1973)
Basil’s eldest son Rob (b 1960) attended The Ridge (1967-1973). He went on to Michaelhouse, completing A-Levels in 1978, followed by UCT, National Service in the army, a couple of years banking in NYC and then Harvard Business School. After 31 years abroad, he now lives in Cape Town with his family. Basil’s younger son James (b 1964) followed the now well-established family tradition of attending The Ridge (1971-1977) and Michaelhouse.
James remembers “acting as second baby rabbit Lucy in The Wind in the Willows; fighting battles with grass sods on the koppie during break whilst looking out for scorpions and snakes; sharing an art prize in Grade 2 with Beezy Bailey; gentlemanly Mr Rose and the construction of the Rose Pavilion” and more.
Hersov Family Tradition Continues Into The 21st Century (2009-2016)
James’s older son Jasper (b 2003) was the Dux at The Ridge (2009 – 2016) and went on to Eton College. He was awarded an Oppidan Scholarship and has been selected to Sixth Form Select, a prestigious prefect body established in the 1830s. He is making the family proud in other leadership positions and still loves to play the piano.
His fondest memories of The Ridge include “the excitement of Friday afternoon swimming galas; Mrs van der Poel’s enthusiasm on Senior Choir tours and at Music Soirees; and the inevitability of Cheales (his house) winning the house cup at the end of the year.”
James’s younger son Max (b 2006) left the Ridge at the end of Grade 4 (2012-2016). When asked what he remembers of The Ridge, Max replied: “The festive vibe of Founder’s Days; cricket matches on the Hope field and playing in the Jazz Band.”
Be part of this amazing legacy! Get in touch with The Ridge School in Westcliff, Johannesburg, on 011 481 5800.
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