Selborne College, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa was founded in 1872 by Pastor Heinrich Muller, a German settler, and at that stage was known as the Panmure Public School. In 1880 the first recorded sporting engagement involving the school took place, namely a cricket match against Dale College in King William’s Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa
In 1892 another sporting milestone was reached when this school played its first rugby match. Again the opponents were Dale College.
On the 8th November 1924, Sir Frederick de Waal, then Administrator of the Cape Province, unveiled the magnificent War Memorial which stands in front of the school. At the conclusion of this moving service of Dedication, Sir Frederick turned to Charles Prior, Head Boy of the College, and handed him a large silver key. "You are to look after the monument and this consecrated ground on which we now stand", he told Prior. "You have in keeping the memory of many men who made the supreme sacrifice. Their memory and what they died for will live forever as the generations come and go". Later that month the first Ceremony of the Key was held as Prior passed his charge on to the 1925 Custodian and a new tradition was born.[2]
Every year since, a member of the incoming Matriculation Class has been elected by popular vote of his fellows as the Custodian of the Key for one year and the handing-over ceremony is now a traditional part of Founders' Day proceedings.
In September 1939 the Officer Commanding of the Cadet Detachment, Colonel Tim Harvey, gave the ceremony its present form and authentic military flavour. The format has remained unaltered to this day. The Key is regarded as a symbol of guardianship of, and responsibility for, the traditions and values of Selborne. The "Changing of Guard", with the Grade 12 group handing custody to the Grade 11's symbolizes the passage of responsibility for, and leadership of the pupil body and all it holds dear, from those departing to those remaining.
Those on parade at Founders' Day are all current pupils at the College. Wreaths are laid to honour old boys who have paid the supreme sacrifice. The Founders' Day is strongly supported by visiting Old Boys and their families.
