Mr Albert Cele’s 51 Years’ Long Service Farewell
Our Final Assembly for the school year was held yesterday which was the ideal opportunity to pay tribute to Mr Albert Cele, a “True Blue” Marist Legend who will be retiring at the end of this year, after having worked at the College for an unprecedented 51 years. Mr Cele will be fondly remembered by members of our greater Marist Community for his unwavering dedication and loyal service to the College.
It was a memorable farewell celebration for Albert who had his daughter Bathobile constantly at his side.
Due to Covid, sadly numbers had to be limited,fortunately this special event was live streamed for the greater Marist family and the following were in attendance to thank him for his service and to wish him well for his retirement – Dr Tony Akal (past principal & 1966 alumnus) who worked with Albert for over 40 years- , Keryn Askew- Board Chairperson, Anthony Murphy & Kitty Foxon Board members, Ursula de Haas – former Board member, Brendan Martin(1966 alumnus)-Marist Association Chairman ,Patrick Brown (1967 alumnus)-MA vice – chairman, alumni representative from each decade – Hilton Green(1979)Stephen Leech(1989)Alain Tschudin(1991)Kwanele Mpanza(2000)Fr David Houbert(2002)& Scott Hiron (2013), St Henry’s staff & pupils.
On behalf of our Alumni, we thank Mr Albert Cele most sincerely for his 51 years of loyal service and wish him a restful well deserved retirement.
A message from our St Henry’s Marist College Principal also an alumnus, Dr Stephen Leech:
A few years ago, the Catholic Schools Office in Durban donated a trophy in memory of Brother Brendan O’Shea, Principal of St Henry’s from 1966-1981. The trophy recognises a member of the St Henry’s community who truly exemplifies what it is to be ‘Marist’; someone who in all that they do and say is a model of the five Marist characteristics.
One of the recipients of this trophy has been Mr Albert Cele, a member of staff at St Henry’s for an unprecedented fifty-one years. Mr Cele has advised us that he wishes to retire at the end of 2021, a loss indeed for the St Henry’s community.
Nonetheless, although a loss for us, Mr Cele’s many years of service, commitment and dedication will always remain an example of what it means to be Marist. When I think of Mr Cele, I think of words such as humility, wisdom, sincerity, authenticity and servant leadership. We need not consult books to learn these values; we need merely to reflect on Mr Cele’s five decades of service, and we will see them demonstrated on a daily basis.
Dr Stephen Leech
St Henry’s Marist College Principal
St Henry’s Marist College Principal
Albert proudly wearing his Honours Blazer & Alumni tie with his daughter Bathobile 
Albert with his daughter Bathobile 
Patrick Brown - Marist Association Vice Chairman, Kerry-Anne Francis - Head of Advancement with Albert 
Otis, Albert & Fr Sean 
Albert waves to the cheering pupils on the corridors 
Kwanele Mpanza with Meredith Magin - teacher at St Henry's for the past 25 years 
Alumni & Staff form a tunnel for Albert with the pupils looking on from the corridors of the iconic school building 
Fr Sean 
Dr Tony Akal chatting to Head Boy Matthew Ackerman & Head Girl Lara Horn 
Dr Tony Akal, Kwanele Mpanza & Alain Tschudin 
Kwanele Mpanza (2000)visiting from New York 
Brendan Martin - Marist Association Chairman with Fr David Houbert-2002 Alumnus 
Albert with Hilton Green (1979) 
Dr Stephen Leech College principal 
Albert prepares to walk through the tunnel to the Bell Tower to ring the bell for the last time! 
Albert with Head Boy Matthew Ackerman & Head Girl Lara Horn 
Kwanele Mpanza(2000) with Albert 
On behalf of the Marist family, Kerry Phillips makes a presentation to Albert of a 'TRUE BLUE' plaque, a gift & long service certificate. 
Dr Stephen Leech College principal 
On behalf of the Marist family, Kerry Phillips makes a presentation to Albert of a 'TRUE BLUE' plaque, a gift & long service certificate. 
Dr Stephen Leech & Fr David Houbert 
Dr Tony Akal with Albert 
Guests with Albert 
Albert ringing the bell for the last time 
Anthony Murphy - College Board member & Keryn Askew - College Board Chairperson with Kwanele Mpanza - 2000 alumnus looking on 
Albert addressing the College 
Otis, Albert & Colin Barraclough -College Facilities Manager 
Albert with Alain Tschudin(1991) 
If you would like to send a personalised note to Mr Albert Cele, please send it to: trust@sthenrys.co.za by 15 December 2021.
For any queries you may have, please contact:
Kerry Phillips – St Henry’s Marist Trust Manager: trust@sthenrys.co.za
MARIST GIVING CHANNELS –
1. EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)
Banking Details:
Name: The Saint Henry’s Marist Trust
Bank: Standard Bank (SA)
Account Type: Current
Account No: 050938460
Branch: Kingsmead
Branch code: 040026 (Electronic Payments: Branch Code: 051001)
Swift Code : SBZA ZA JJ
REF: Albert Cele & DONORS NAME
Standard Bank – Physical Address: (for International Payments)
Standard Bank Centre
1 Kingsmead Way,
Old Fort,
Durban,
4001
2. ZAPPER:
Click on the Link https://zapper.com/url/3thdUAj…
3. PAYFAST
thesainthenrysmaristtrust