“You know the man standing next to you has your back as much as you have theirs. There is an unbreakable bond and trust between each other.”, Marco Kruger, Blue Tie Leader.
To start off, two questions. What is a Westville Boy? What is a Griffin? Two questions, one answer. They are one and the same. Both these names represent one thing. Brotherhood.
To pose another question, what is Brotherhood? Put simply, Brotherhood is a bond. This bond cannot be seen or touched but rather felt. Felt between brothers, felt between Westville Boys, felt between Griffins. While these brothers may not be of a common blood, they are rather brothers of a common spirit. A spirit that is unifying. Binding. Everlasting. As Westville Boys we all share this common bond and it is in this connection that we are all brothers. ‘Brothers of the Badge’.
The symbol of our brotherhood is The Badge. It represents the unbreakable bond between all who walk through Westville’s hallowed halls. We spend times in our lives in the same institution serving the same badge and it is through this that a commonality of a certain uniqueness is formed. It is this commonality that shapes the brotherhood of Westville Boys’ High School.
The Badge is as old as the school itself. It stands the test of time when it comes to the history of WBHS. It is because of this that is the symbol of our brotherhood. It is what links us, present day students, to those who came before. We become brothers of those past Griffins through the wearing of that badge. All who wear the badge are reminded of the institution and history that they represent. In the future those who will one day don the Badge on their chest are then connected to those of the present.
In short, The Badge is the past, present and future of WBHS. It is everything and everyone that was, is and will be. That crest which adorns our uniform is the embodiment of our school. Our home. Whether we are battling giants upon our own consecrated grounds, or away at the house of the enemy, that badge is always with us. It remains a piece of our DNA. Courses through our veins. Hangs over our heads not as a burden but as a reminder of who Westville Boys are.
Through the badge, the echoes of brotherhood, past and present, can be felt throughout the school. The spirit of brotherhood is heard through the toll of the Swain Bell of which we have all come to hear. It resonates through the war cries of sport days can be felt in the very bricks upon which the school is built.
This is the Badge. This is Brotherhood. This is Westville.
I leave you with a quote from our Deputy Head boy, Dumo Cele. He described brotherhood as,
“The love that I have for the person standing next to me regardless of their race, religion or background.”.