The MCOBA today
When the MCOBA was founded in 1897, its primary objective was the fostering of relationships amongst Old Collegians and the school's former staff members. Although this remains its primary objective today, with the passage of time the aims and objectives - and indeed the role that the MCOBA plays in the affairs of Maritzburg College - have broadened quite dramatically. The present constitution of the MCOBA sets out numerous other objectives, which include -
- encouraging and fostering sports, academic and cultural societies at College, including the provision of funding for them;
- the provision of bursaries and scholarships for deserving candidates; and
- the establishment of branches in as many places in the world as there are Old Collegians present and willing to be part of such branches.
A great deal of the MCOBA's efforts is directed at these objectives, although perhaps in the past not enough attention was paid to the provision of bursaries and scholarships. There has therefore been a great thrust to start raising funds to enable the MCOBA to promote sporting and other endeavours at Maritzburg College through the awarding of scholarships and bursaries to deserving boys.
The President of the MCOBA does, however, play an ever-growing ex officio role in both the running and general affairs of the school. He now sits on the Governing Body of the school, and as such has some influence on school policies. He is also a member of a number of the Governing Body's sub-committees, and is there again able to influence a lot of the school policy in a wide range of matters.
The President is also an ex officio member of the school admissions body, which, as its name suggests, decides which boys are admitted to the school and which are not. The ability of the MCOBA to keep a finger on the pulse of the type of boy coming to the school - and being able to contribute to this critical part of the school - should not be underestimated.
Since its humble beginnings over a century ago, the MCOBA has grown into a thriving organisation that represents the approx 10 000 living Old Collegians. Each year - through even the grim years of the World Wars and the Depression - thousands of OCs from around the world flock to their alma mater on Reunion Day, to meet up with old school friends, relive the camaraderie of their youth, and celebrate being part of the special brotherhood that is Maritzburg College.
The President of the MCOBA does, however, play an ever-growing ex officio role in both the running and general affairs of the school. He now sits on the Governing Body of the school, and as such has some influence on school policies. He is also a member of a number of the Governing Body's sub-committees, and is there again able to influence a lot of the school policy in a wide range of matters.
The President is also an ex officio member of the school admissions body, which, as its name suggests, decides which boys are admitted to the school and which are not. The ability of the MCOBA to keep a finger on the pulse of the type of boy coming to the school - and being able to contribute to this critical part of the school - should not be underestimated.
Since its humble beginnings over a century ago, the MCOBA has grown into a thriving organisation that represents the approx 10 000 living Old Collegians. Each year - through even the grim years of the World Wars and the Depression - thousands of OCs from around the world flock to their alma mater on Reunion Day, to meet up with old school friends, relive the camaraderie of their youth, and celebrate being part of the special brotherhood that is Maritzburg College.
