| Stella Londt's 'gentil' knight calls it a day Knights in shining armour no longer ride the vasty fields of Europe on doughty steeds. And the sort who are dubbed by Elizabeth II can be anything from Rolling Stones (like Mick Jagger) to riders of other ranges like Sir Gordon Richards or Stirling Moss. There's another sort of knighthood which is available to deserving citizens, though it carries no title. One such person is former President Nelson Mandela who appeared famously on a South African stamp wearing his black cloak as a Knight of St. John, that ancient order of folk who cared for the sick and wounded during the Crusades and 900 years later can be seen on duty at rugby matches, on the race track and in many countries of the world. Today, Elizabeth II as head of the Order approves appointments of new knights (a rare honour). There are several such eminent folk in Port Elizabeth, the senior among them being Dr. Lou Krige, a medical doctor whose service to St. John goes back unbroken over 56 years. And now he's decided that the time has come to shed some of his responsibilities. Last Sunday there was a charming "family" luncheon in his honour at Stella Londt where he has stepped down as president of the St. John Centre. His service goes back to Upington in 1946 when, as a young doctor, he joined the St. John Ambulance Brigade there, coming to Port Elizabeth 21 years later and becoming a member of the local centre's executive committee, being made its president 19 years later. He was made president of Stella Londt three years ago. With that unbroken service to St. John going back so far, its understandable that the local St. John folk don't want him to go. In a tribute to him at Sunday's lunch he was honoured as was Chaucer's "parfit, gentil knyghte, who loved curtesye, virtue trewythe and honestie" (not that Hugh has his old Rhodes textbook to check on the spelling). Lovynge he certainly is, continuing to care for Stella Londt residents who do not have medical aids and cannot afford doctors of their own. Stella Londt owes him much. He was the driving force behind the building of the first 14 retirement cottages there and the complex remains true to his dream to have a complete, fully active accommodation system there, caring for its residents as they grow frailer. He's always insisted that residents should live as independently as possible for as long as possible. Under his presidency, Stella Londt has grown, and it says much for his dedication that so much that is new and good has risen from the ashes of that terrible fire. Behind every such knight, if he is fortunate, there is a lady - and Professor Pat Krige, herself a respected figure in the field of psychology, is just that. Inevitably, like many good spouses to St. John folk, she has been drawn into the organisation, too, and she wears her insignia as a Serving Sister with much self-effacement. But it's been richly earned. As many Port Elizabeth folk know, the Kriges have a celebrated daughter - Alice the movie actress whose first cinema starring role was in Chariots of Fire, though many here will remember her as a schoolgirl Juliet opposite Colin Stevens as Romeo on the Opera House stage all those years ago. The lunch we all enjoyed? Splendid fare indeed, conjured up by Fedics with a richly delicious dessert of Belgian chocolate mousse prepared by centre director Tessa van Antwerpen to follow. The good news is that they're not saying goodbye to Dr. Krige. He's to remain a member of Gerry Boulter's centre committee. His wisdom, humour and sage counsel are with us yet. And his sense of fun, too. After Herald photographer Sam Majela had taken the picture we show you today, Dr. Krige insisted on turning the tables on him and taking him sitting in the official St. John chair. Sadly, Hugh has to report, our knight in shining armour is no Lord Snowdon. So let's show you Sam's picture of him instead. Copyright 2002 by The Herald Online back |
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| Saturday September 28, 2002 Hugh Baakens' Diary |
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