Blog

Honouring Tannie Katriena this Women’s Month

“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” – Isaiah 61:3

A woman’s legacy is not in what she owns, but in what she sows

At Ma’s vir Wellington, we believe legacy is not measured in possessions, but in the seeds, we sow into the lives of others. Few embody this truth more beautifully than Tannie Katriena, one of our eldest Tannie Mammas, who for more than 13 years has been faithfully planting seeds of prayer, love, and faith into this ministry.

She has long been one of our devoted Tannie Mammas, showing up week after week with a heart full of love for the children and the staff. But even more powerfully, she has become a spiritual mother, a quiet intercessor whose prayers have upheld this house in ways we may never fully comprehend.

As life brought personal tragedy and declining health, many might have stepped back. But not Tannie Katriena.

Though she can no longer attend our programs in person, her presence is still strongly felt. Every Monday morning, she calls to ask, “What can I pray for this week?” She lifts up the names of children, staff, volunteers, and even the vehicles that carry us—covering each detail in prayer so that God’s work may continue, safe and fruitful.

Her life is a living picture of Jesus’ parable of the good soil (Matthew 13)—a heart that receives God’s Word and bears much fruit. From her prayers have sprung unseen harvests: protection, peace, strength, and joy. Though many of her seeds were sown in silence, their fruit is now evident in the lives of those she has faithfully upheld.

“Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6
Tannie Katriena’s sowing has been generous—through trials, through tears, through seasons of weakness. And her harvest is eternal.

We often think impact comes from being on the frontlines. But women like Tannie Katriena remind us that some of the most powerful ministry happens behind the scenes, on bended knee, with whispered prayers and unwavering faith. This Women’s Month, we pause to honour her. Her legacy is not in what she owns, but in what she has sown—prayers, love, and faith. Seeds that will bear fruit for generations to come.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

Tannie Katriena never gave up. Her legacy is not in what she owned, but in what she sowed—and because of her, the harvest continues.