18/06/2026
💙Thankful Thursday💙
This week, we would like to give a special shout-out to an incredible member of our Hilton community – Evan.
Many of you will have seen Evan walking the streets of Hilton, collecting litter and doing his part to keep our town clean and beautiful. What makes his story so remarkable is that he does it entirely voluntarily. He is not paid for his efforts and receives no reward other than knowing he is making a difference.
Evan’s commitment to caring for our environment and community is truly inspiring. Through his dedication, he reminds us that positive change does not always come from large organisations or grand gestures. Sometimes it comes from one person choosing every day to make the world a little better than they found it.
Thank you, Evan, for your selflessness, your kindness and the pride you take in our town. Hilton is a better place because of people like you. 🌍💙
Evan Alroy Brown was born in 1955 and grew up on a farm in the Eastern Cape where he became fluent in isXhosa and isiZulu and passionate about the cultures of the Nguni tribes. He attended Rustenburg High School where he was Deputy Head Boy. Evan served the SADF on the border in a newly formed equestrian unit before studying a B.A. in Languages at the University of Natal where he represented the university rugby team as a front-row forward. Evan then taught at Hilton College for 39 years where he became a much-loved “Mr Chips”. He taught, coached and cared for generations of schoolboys, forming enduring and endearing relationships and giving many of them nicknames. Evan coached boys who would go on to play rugby for the Springboks and he made major contributions to KZN Schools Canoeing. Evan taught the current Mayor of the uMngeni Municipality, Mr Chris Pappas. While at Hilton and since Evan owned a farm on which he bred Nguni cattle. His fluency in isiZulu and his knowledge of Zulu cultures and traditions gave him a significant edge as he assisted his buyers in selecting the best beast for their occasion. Evan has always loved the outdoors and he created many opportunities for boys to explore wilderness areas in the ‘Berg, on the Wild Coast and in Botswana, amongst other places. Evan is a self-effacing person who is happiest when serving others. He believes we should “tread lightly” on our planet and he has always been committed to conservation efforts. Evan is a familiar figure to many Hilton residents as he is often seen picking up litter while on his morning walks. Evan loves people and loves to share stories so next time you see him go and introduce yourself and thank him for his efforts in building a better South Africa.
Written by Paul de Wet, a former pupil and colleague of Evan's