The Common Vein

Ronnie Epstein

September 2009

Copyright 2009

Born Johannesburg, 7 July 1952

 Living in the County of Surrey in the U.K, circa 50 km SW of the centre of London

Married to Ela, bookkeeper

Children

Gabriela, 22 and

Dani 21.

Gabriela and her partner Charlie made Ela and I proud grandparents just 4 weeks ago with a son, Jack

Job is as Director of a Government funded agency providing advice and support to budding entrepreneurs and established businesses in the county of Berkshire

I have remained in touch with Jules Rachman and Selwyn Rabins since school and university

Email:

ronnie@epstein1.freeserve.co.uk

What do I miss about SA? Just three things:

• My sisters and brother who still live in J?burg
  • Brian, Radiologist, married to Sharon and 3 children Daniella, Josh and Kaeli
  • Denise and partner Tony
  • Karen, entrepreneur, married to Martin Krok and boys Devin, Adam and Jaydin
  • My eldest brother Alan, lives in Santiago, Chile

• African Wildlife in general but in particular the Kruger Park
  • When I lived in SA, I would visit annually, now whenever I come to SA
  • I am an African wildlife photography enthusiast and in a moment of vanity, I set up a website at the beginning of this year www.africanwildlifeinfocus.com. I am now living my dream of visiting the premier game reserves in Africa with trips in recent years to Namibia and Tanzania ? next year to Botswana
• The Springboks
  • I must confess that I have never got out of my system my interest and support of the SA rugby team despite the Springboks being an emblem of the apartheid years ? it must be something to do with hanging onto one?s identity
  • Mind you, a great victory this year?s in the Tri-Nations!

Short history:

1970                SA Airforce, Valhalla

1971-1974 Mechanical Engineering at Wits

1975 (May)      Set off on my ?big? European trip with rucksack on back. After 5 months arrive in London (and that?s history as they say)

1980-1982              MBA, London Business School

1976-1990 Various jobs in production and general management with UK manufacturing companies

1985                                Marry Eleanor (Ela), a lass from Eire

1990                                Adopt Gabriela from Chile

1992                Adopt Dani from Chile

1992                Start own Consultancy business providing recruitment, training and consultancy to the burgeoning call centre industry

1998                Return to corporate life

Hobbies:

Travel, photography, golf (at 12 handicap, playing the best golf of my life)

Memories of King David:

My memory is not good in general and therefore memories of KDS are even more distant.

I was a very keen cricketer and was elevated to the First team when I was in Form 2 (in part due to the Geoff Boycott, the famous English cricketer who was brought to the school to coach).

I won a medal with the KDS Under 10 soccer team ? I remember playing at the Rand Stadium as left back but in subsequent years I played as a forward.

Athletics and Tennis were secondary sports. I won the cross country (across Linksfield Ridge) in Form 2. This was very important to me at the time as I beat my great sporting rival Eric Stillerman ? funny what you remember.

In case you think I am making this all up, I was pleased to see that there are several school team photographs in which I feature.

I went on Ulpan in 1967 and did not return to Israel until 2007. All I remember about the Ulpan was starting in the lowest Hebrew class of 5 but progressing rapidly to the 2^nd class during the trip. I barely remember any Hebrew to speak but can still read it well.

There were a few of us who were attracted to the other pursuits. There was an active extra-mural poker school, led I believe by Choni Becker and supported by myself, Willy Brouse and others (will the other renegades please stand up!). I also played golf regularly with Choni and the Davidoffs, Ashley and Ravin.

In addition to above, during school years I remember being friendly with Philip Cramer who introduced me to British football (I have been a Manchester United supporter ever since), Ralph Judah and Michael Katz who was a neighbour of mine in Linksfield North.

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