michael stern, born 1922
FOUNDER OF A MULTI-RACIAL SCHOOL IN AFRICA
Michael Alexander Stern was born in Egypt, the son of a civil engineer. He was educated at Gresham’s School in Holt and Downing College, Cambridge for a year before his studies were interrupted by World War II. He served in the British Army in North Africa, Italy, and Greece, rising to the rank of captain. After graduation he taught, at Bedales and then at approved schools. In 1955, at the invitation of Trevor Huddleston, he moved to teach in South Africa. He left South Africa for Swaziland to establish in 1963 the new Waterford school in which students of all races could study together, with an emphasis on cooperation in community service. Michael Stern and his school became famous across southern Africa. Nelson Mandela, still in prison, sent his daughters there. Desmond Tutu sent his children. Seretse Khama, the leader of Botswana, sent his son Ian, who would later become President of Botswana. The second part of the life story is an article by Mike Linden on the early years of Waterford, reproduced with acknowledgement and thanks.
Source: Compiled by Alex Reid with the help of Miranda Stern, Michael Stern’s daughter, in 2020.