On balance i enjoyed my time at the University of Natal, now known as UKZN, but comparing Durban campus (UND) to Pietermaritzburg (UNP) was chalk and cheese. I found Durban campus sterile, intimidating and boring. In first year I enjoyed the Sport (represented UND at SAU Hockey) but the academics was a struggle. The second year of academics improved once I sacrificed my beloved sport but the most significant thing that happened in 1988 was a recomitment to Christ. This was an event that occurred post my first breakup and I will never forget ìt. Back in the day SABC TV used to finish with a scripture and one could phone in to speak to a Pastor. I was sitting on my own next to the phone waiting for a return call when I sensed the powerful presence of God in the room and I knew that when I touched the phone it would ring, which is exactly what happened!

I had taken my eyes off the things of God at UND. I had “backslidden” and the funny thing was that even as I engaged in worldly things I gained no enjoyment from it. I knew I needed to reconnect with Him and grateful that I humbled myself in August 88. It has now been more than 30 years.

I had excelled at sport and academics at primary school and my Dad had been very keen to send me to Hilton. As a Mommy’s boy, I found the first few months tough and was often homesick but sport allowed me to see my folks on weekends and my batting ability gave me some respect amongst my peers. I have a few fond memories of some of my teachers but generally I felt a bit below par on the academic front. In hindsight I realised I was a small fish in a big pond and might have excelled more at my local High School as a big fish in a small pond.

The access to opportunities at Hilton were unbelievable. The best sporting facilities, food for days (Our Chef introduced a self catering system), a modern library (in 1982 we even had one Wang desktop in the basement of the library for the whole school), the Enterprise Club (where I spent 5 days hiking on the Wild Coast, 3 in a tropical storm), Sunday walks on the incredible Estate. I just wonder if i truly appreciated this gift.

My best memory was being a part of the First XI cricket team IN 1986 that lost just one game the whole season. We set a school record of 5 wins in a row and there were two young men who went on to play for SA Schools, Rowan Varner (1986) and Deryk Crookes (1988). There were several others who played provincial schools. O what a joy.

My spiritual journey began when i was just 9. I had loving parents to whom Church was important. We belonged to an Anglican Church in Durban-North that experienced revival in the late 1970’s. This was the era when the term “born-again” was first used and I can recall one afternoon giving my heart to Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

In hindsight this was a significant moment in the History of the Church in South Africa. We were in the middle of Apartheid yet God chose to move in the predominantly “white” Anglican and Catholic Churches at the time. Many people were Born Again and many people left the Traditional Churches and started new Charismatic Churches as they are known today. Rhema Bible Church was birthed at this time. God saw 1990 in his mind but the peoples hearts had to change before change could come. Revival always precedes Reform.

I was fortunate to grow up in South Africa on the right side of the tracks but at the age of 19 after re-committing my life to Christ i began a new path in life. This memoir is my attempt to reflect on some of the significant events that have shaped my life over the last 30 years. I hope to publish this blog in its entirety before my 50th Birthday in January 2019.