Not all learners arrive in a shiny new sports car or a vintage classic at their matric farewell…
Rael du Plessis, a matric learner at the John Vorster High School in Nigel, says she always knew she did not want to go to the farewell in a shiny sports car. But on a huge Chianina bull? Never in her wildest dreams!
Her mother planted the seed about arriving on a bull.
“It’s thanks to uncle Louis Botha of the LMB Chianina stud that my dream could come true. He said I could borrow one of his bulls for the matric farewell,” she says.
The Chianina is a special breed that originally comes from Italy. Chianina bulls are known as the largest and heaviest in the world, and can weigh up to 1 600kg.
The choice of bull fell on the 21-month-old Mr DJ, and Rael, whose parents, Belinda and Francois, farm outside Nigel, trained with Mr DJ for almost two months to make sure he was obedient and calm.
On the special evening, she wore a sparkling green and white dress and arrived on Mr DJ’s back amid huge applause.
She says Mr DJ behaved himself and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience (and attention).
Did you see any matrics giving their farewell a farming flavour? Send us the pics and a description to magazine@africanfarming.com
