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ALGEMEEN | GENERAL
Thursday, 1 December 2011
PROFILE
The enduring magic of Marna PIETER BOONZAIER A RARE combination of diligence, tenacity, beauty and leadership has landed one of Somerset West’s past pupils with one of the most outstanding achievements that can be attained by any student. Marna Rörich matriculated in 2008 from Somerset College, and enrolled to study foundationphase education at the CPUT in Wellington in 2009. Her leadership potential showed already when she was elected as class representative. She was also a finalist in the demanding Miss CPUT contest. But it was in this year that her tenacity and fighting spirit truly emerged – when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She passed her first-year subjects comfortably, reeling in a few distinctions. She knew 2010 would be a tough year, with eight sessions of chemotherapy ahead. Then came daily radiation treatment for three weeks – during which she opted to stay on campus and attend classes, and even conducted the choir for a competition despite having lost her voice. She was re-elected as class representative. And, although she had
lost all her beautiful long hair, she donned a wig and faced her classes – and the stage for the Miss CPUT contest – with confidence. She was chosen by popular vote as Miss Campus. And, says Marna: “I needed to focus on my studies during my second year, and with the wonderful support of a super-mom, that is exactly what I did.” Riana Rörich, Marna’s mom, is an adept and popular Grade 1 teacher with many years of experience at prestigious schools in Stellenbosch and elsewhere. “Being a widow, and donning the dad-hat every now and then, was not easy, but I am so proud of Marna’s achievements,” she says. “I believed she could do it, and she proved to all and sundry that she has what it takes to be a leader despite life’s adversities. ” Marna missed only one class during her chemotherapy, and impressed everyone at the oncology department with her sparkling personality and positive outlook. She wrote a blog to record her journey and encourage others in similar circumstances. Her entries can be read at www.copingwithcancer19.blogspot.com.
In her third year, Marna was elected as a member of the CPUT Students’ Representative Council (SRC) on the Residences, Transport and Welfare portfolio. By now she had truly made name for herself, and her popularity was enunciated with her unopposed election as campus SRC chairperson for 2012 – the only female chairperson among the CPUT’s satellite campuses. Marna turned 21 on 8 November, and her future looks rosy. As she sums up on her blog, “I hope to make a big difference in the world somehow after going through this ordeal. I now know I can pretty much get through anything.” She’s set on generating awareness around Hodgkin’s lymphoma – and she’s “looking forward to the rest of this year, which I can now finish as a healthy happy teenager.” Marna, passionate about teaching, chose to spend her practical
teaching time at Somerset West schools such as Beaumont and De Hoop Primaries, Hendrik Louw Primary in the Strand, and her alma mater, Somerset College. She distinguished herself at all of these schools as an outstanding teacher.
Rusthof sangfees DIE Rusthof Metodiste Kerk hou hul jaarlikse Kerssangfees op Sondag 4 Desember. ’n Meisieskoor asook ’n mannekoor sal by die gewilde sangdiens wat van 18:30 in die kerksaal gehou word, optree. Welbekende sangers soos Liesel van Nieting, Solomon Lucas en Tywin Samuels sal ook optree. Rudi van Reenen en die Rusthof Blaasorkes sal die gemeente-sang begelei. Toegang is gratis en almal is welkom.
A talk with the Witnesses
Marna Rörich.
THE Helderberg congregation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses invite you to a talk entitled Resisting the Spirit of the World at 11 Plein Street, Somerset West, on Sunday at 11:30. Entry is free, and no collection will be taken. For further details, or to find out about free home Bible study, phone 0 021 854 6356.