Though some school sporting fixtures across the province were disrupted by forecasts of severe weather, the anticipated storms largely failed to materialise in Qonce, allowing the celebrations and much-anticipated derby clash to proceed before packed stands.
Old Selbornian president Keveshen Chetty said the rivalry between the two schools had become one of the Eastern Cape’s enduring traditions.
“The rivalry between Dale College and its traditional counterpart is far more than just a sporting contest,” Chetty said.
“It speaks to pride, identity and a shared pursuit of excellence that both schools carry with distinction.”
For many families, the annual derby has become part of family tradition.
Parent Sharlene Cassells-Ephraim said attending Dale games had become a yearly occasion for her family.
“My daughter’s birthday is on May 10 and whenever her birthday is near, I tell my family it is also the time of the Dale reunion, so we must go watch,” she said.
“This is a very well-known and classy school. When you hear the name Dale, it rings a bell.”
The anniversary also coincided with the Old Dale Union’s cycle tour from Cape Town to Qonce, organised as a fundraiser for the celebrations.
A group of former pupils embarked on the long-distance ride despite difficult weather conditions along parts of the route.
Old Dale Union president Phiwe Ndinisa said heavy rain and strong winds forced riders off the road at certain stages of the journey.
“It rained heavily and at times the wind speeds reached 40km/h, which made it unsafe to continue cycling,” Ndinisa said.
“When we reached Dikeni, we saw that the weather had improved, and that’s where 12 cyclists got back on the road.”
