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27 December 2021
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Story Jóhann Thormählen
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Photo Supplied
The Kovsie Annerie Dercksen is one of South Africa’s most promising youngsters and climbing the cricketing ladder.
She enjoyed every second of playing with some of her heroes and believes the exposure to international cricket will help her become a better player.
Annerie Dercksen is one of South Africa’s most promising youngsters and climbing the cricketing ladder.
Star from Beaufort West
This second-year Education student from the University of the Free State (UFS), who dreams of playing for the Momentum Proteas, represented the South African Emerging Women’s team three times in 2021.
The star from Beaufort West toured with the side to Bangladesh and also played against Zimbabwe and Thailand in One Day and T20 matches.
According to Dercksen, it is an incredible honour and privilege to be a part of a side.
She soaked up the experience and says everyone was willing to share their knowledge.
“I would have to say, sharing the field with some of my heroes and getting to work with some of the best coaches in the country are some of the highlights.”
She says each tour brought its own challenges and this helped her grow in the way she views and approaches the game.
“In Bangladesh we played against a well-established team in foreign conditions while facing a lot of spinners in spin friendly conditions. Personally, it was quite a challenge and I had to come back and work on some options, especially against spin.”
“Each tour brought its own challenges and this helped me grow in the way I view and approach the game.” - Annerie Dercksen
Coming through the ranks
The all-rounder has come through the ranks. She represented South-Western Districts at school level, played for the South African U19 side and is currently representing the Free State.
But Dercksen didn’t always dream cricket, especially not when playing ‘backyard’ cricket with her brother on the farm.
She didn’t even play for a team at school. “Until a boy from our primary school’s team got sick before a game. A teacher came to class and asked, ‘who can play cricket’, and I put up my hand.”
75-year-old UFS student follows her dreams
2017-07-17
Dr Hanneke Meyer, who graduated from the
University of the Free State, completed her
Bachelor’s degree in Theology
with distinction.
Photo: Siobhan Canavan
“It does not matter how old you are, it is all about where God wants to use you, and I believe that this is where He wants me now.”
These were the words of 75-year-old Dr Hanneke Meyer, who recently graduated from the University of the Free State. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Theology with distinction.
Never too old to learn
Dr Meyer, who was a teacher by profession, says she spent all her years teaching others, and when she had children, she went on to teach them too. She then decided it was time for her to get back to her books and become a student again.
After her retirement, Dr Meyer sat quietly and thought what it was that she actually wanted to do in life. She then decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Theology but only registered for a few subjects.
“I registered for a few subjects but as time went by, I felt that this was something that I really wanted to do, and this was something that I wanted to finish. I believed that this would be the course where God would use me for His kingdom.”
UFS faculty best of its kind
Dr Meyer said completing this degree was completely worth it. She would do it over and over again if she could. “I am proud of this university and the faculty too. I believe that the Faculty of Theology and Religion is the best of its kind in the country.”
She encouraged the youth to continue learning. “Don’t ever stop learning. Always be a student because one is never too old to learn.”