PPS celebrating its
Oak Anniversary Izak Smit
In the garden of our house in Johannesburg , there is a huge oak tree .
The reason we bought the property many years ago was mostly because of that tree . We often joke that it was an expensive tree ! It is a giant , probably around eighty years old , maybe more . By world standards , though , it is still young . The biggest oak in Britain is Major Oak in Nottinghamshire , a giant with a girth of 10 metres and thought to be between 800 and 1 000 years old . Oaks are often associated with strength , morale , resistance and wisdom , thanks to their size and longevity ; they easily surpass 300 years of age
making it a powerful lifeaffirming symbol .
An 80th anniversary is an oak anniversary . What a wonderful symbol to mark it – firmly rooted , strong of trunk , with branches and acorns resembling new and continuous growth .
PPS celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2021 , a significant milestone . The average human life is fleeting compared to many of the institutions that we mortals have the privilege of being associated with during our lifetimes – whether from a social , government , educational , spiritual or employment perspective . It is indeed special and inspiring to be part of something bigger and more lasting - enduring institutions rooted in timeless core values , that exist for a purpose . Something that can stand the test of time by its ability to adapt to a changing environment and to continuously renew and refresh itself from within .
It generally takes big teams to make big dents in the world , and it also takes time to build lasting legacies . How fortunate many of us are to be part of such teams and institutions and be able to say – irrespective of how big or small our unique contribution to shape and build the institution was – that we were part of the journey , that the few bricks that we have laid are part of what created a legacy .
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