The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 31
NEWS
A DRAGON FROM ROBERTSON
ALBATROSS PHOTOGRAPH OTTO WHITEHEAD
The travel and lifestyle website Inside Guide is a popular online portal to Cape
Town’s best food, wine and experiences. In December, it featured John Loubser
(1985F) and his Silverthorn River Dragon NV in its “Wine of the Week” section.
John is a Cap Classique specialist, producing the unusual bubbly from old-vine
Colombar grapes grown on the family farm in Robertson. The label features
Draco Africanus, the African dragon said to whimsically write messages across
the sky in trails of smoke. John is a serial award-winner – turn to page 84 to see
which of his creations won a Platter’s Wine of the Year accolade for 2026.
DIGITAL SPORTSMEN
In November, the Financial Times profiled Dugald Macdonald (2005S)
and Peter Husemeyer (2005S), co-founders of the London-based sports
technology company Sportable. The article explored how their sensorbased technology, which is embedded in balls and in player apparel, is
helping teams, leagues and broadcasters capture real-time data about
what happens on the field. Sportable’s systems are already being used
across several major sports, from rugby and American football to soccer
and tennis, providing insights for performance analysis, officiating and
fan engagement. Speaking to the FT, the pair discussed “closing ‘dark
patches’ of data, the rise of personalised broadcasts, and how smart
equipment could reshape the business of sport”. Fascinating stuff.
AN HONOUR
IN SCOTLAND
In April 2025, English and Scottish
news websites reported that Grant
Rodney (1977F) had been awarded
an honorary Member of the Order
of the British Empire (MBE) for
services to children’s anaesthesia
and surgery. (In the picture above,
Grant is on the left, receiving it
from the Lord Provost of Dundee.)
The honour, approved by King
Charles III, recognises Grant’s
long career in paediatric care
in Scotland, where he has lived
and worked for many years.
A consultant anaesthetist with
NHS Tayside for nearly three
decades, he played a leading role
in developing children’s surgical
services in the region, including
the creation of a purpose-built
twin-theatre operating suite at
Tayside Children’s Hospital in
Dundee. Now retired from clinical
practice, Grant recently joined
the board of children’s charity
The Archie Foundation, which
supports young patients and their
families. “I am deeply honoured
to receive this recognition,” he
said, “but I want to stress that
none of this was achieved alone.”
THE OLD DIOCESAN | 27
