The principal of Hilton College – the most expensive private school in South Africa – has encouraged parents of the private school not to overtly display their wealth, particularly at rugby school games.
The school is located in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Alumni include prominent figures such as sports broadcaster Robert Marawa, former Springbok Gary Teichmann, and uMngeni Local Municipality mayor Chris Pappas.
On social media, snippets of an open letter written by Hilton College principal George Harris went viral.
In it, the headmaster of the prominent private school shared his feedback to parents of learners following a rugby derby day last month between the school and its rivals, Michael House.
While Harris thanked parents for their unwavering support, he also called them out for overtly displaying their wealth on the day.
He wrote: “I’ve been reflecting on this and have been noticing growing tendencies toward one-upmanship in the scale of hosting and catering around the field. When hospitality and generosity became self-serving displays of opulence, and began to pull away from what we aspire to be as a community
The Hilton College principal added: “Next year, can we ditch the opulence in favour of a wholesome hospitality devoid of showmanship and loud extravagance.
“When the extravagance stretches into overconsumption, the message we send to our children is wrong”.
TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SA
Hilton College bags the number one spot as South Africa’s most expensive private school.
Its annual fees for 2025 stand at R420 729, which includes boarding and tuition fees.
Here are others from around the country that make the Top 10.
- Michaelhouse – R392 000
- St Andrews College – R387 531
- Roedean School for Girls – R387 093
- St John’s College – R376 589
- Kearsney College – R374 330
- Bishops College – R364 680
- St Mary’s – R358 665
- St Alban’s College – R353 580
- Diocesan School for Girls – R345 630
DO YOU AGREE WITH THE PRINCIPAL OF HILTON COLLEGE?
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