STORIES TO INSPIRE FROM CLASS OF 2012
Wheeling her way to success
SHE never learnt to walk and has had to use a wheelchair all her life but Anita Engelbrecht, 19, has not allowed her circumstances to stand in the way of her success
The teenager from Bellville High has been honoured with a Special Ministerial Award for excellent academic achievement and inspirational fortitude despite huge personal challenges. She earned distinctions for five of her eight subjects.
Anita told the Cape Argus that she had been a premature baby, born at 28 weeks.
While in hospital she had stopped breathing for a while before she was resuscitated. This led to brain damage.
Until the age of three Anita attended the Paarl School in Brackenfell and in Grade 3 moved to Kenridge Primary.
“I had so many operations that I never attended a full school year.”
She said the teachers and pupils at Bellville High School had been a big support to her.
She served on the representative council of learners and worked for the school’s newspaper.
“The school is wheelchair friendly and the teachers and pupils played a big role in my success. They were always there for me, for example, when I dropped a pencil.”
Because she cannot write for long periods, she had to write her exams with the help of a scribe.
“When I received my results I felt so blessed. I knew I had given it my best.”
Anita plans to study for a degree in accountancy at Stellenbosch Univer- sity. ”I just have a passion for numbers. It’s something you can do while sitting down. It suits my situation.”
One of her next goals is to get a driver’s licence. She would also like to do motivational speaking.