In a time where personal achievement is often measured by material gain or worth, Rondebosch continues to propagate and hold in high esteem values relating to selflessness, humility and service to causes greater than one’s own. Rondebosch prides itself on recognizing those who, like the school’s second Headmaster and founder of the Old Boys’ Union, Sydney ’Dad’ Mason, have offered their time and expertise unreservedly to causes other than their own and may have done so as silent and unsung heroes.

Later this year the Old Boys' Union will make two special posthumous awards honouring Mr Sydney Mason and Prof Tinkie Heyns.

The Dad Mason Award is only presented by the Old Boys’ Union on behalf of the Rondebosch Boys’ Schools’ community as and when the occasion demands at a special assembly attended by Old Boys, pupils and staff.

The criteria for nominations for the Dad Mason Award are:

1.    A nominee must be a member of the Rondebosch Old Boys’ Union and must be alive when the nomination is made.
2.    A recipient’s conduct should encapsulate the generosity of spirit and personal sacrifice consistently evidenced by Sydney Mason’s dedication, benevolence and humility.
3.    A recipient must in the opinion of his peers have given a generous period of his life in service to his fellow man or provided selfless support to a cause and such services shall be of an exceptional and selfless nature.
4.    A recipient should not have been motivated by the pursuit of personal gain or fame, although personal gain or public recognition shall not disqualify a person from nomination.

Old Boys who wish to make a nomination for the award should send the nomination, including a full motivation, to the Chairman of the Old Boys' Union at PO Box 731 Rondebosch 7701, or by email to obu@rondebosch.com by 30 September 2011