Newsletter August Women’s Month 2025
WOW Event – The Power of a Seed
As women, we carry the power to sow seeds of love, joy, strength, and future inheritance into our families, friends, and communities.
This Women’s Month, Ma’s vir Wellington celebrated and honored all our Volunteers—women who, for many years, have faithfully sown into our programs and into the lives of others.
Stephanie reminded us that even if we don’t see the harvest immediately, we can trust that the fruit of seeds planted in our community will appear in God’s perfect timing. Scripture says:
Matthew 13:31–32
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree…”
Even something as small as a mustard seed can make a great impact in God’s Kingdom.
On a beautiful, crisp morning at Langkloof Rose—surrounded by nature, trees, and blooming roses—we were reminded that every seed carries potential. Yet a seed must first die before it can grow, and it needs the right season, temperature, and soil to flourish.
As women, we left the morning with these truths in our hearts:
- Sow kindness today, and reap mercy tomorrow.
- Sow gratitude today, and reap joy tomorrow.
- Sow confrontation in love today, and reap change tomorrow.
- Sow listening today, and reap knowledge tomorrow.
- Sow honor today, and reap favor tomorrow.
- Sow order today, and reap productivity tomorrow.
Each lady went home with a packet of seeds in her hand to plant in her garden—but the greatest seed taken from this morning was a call to action:
Don’t wait for tomorrow—start today. What you sow today will shape the harvest of tomorrow.
1 Corinthians 3:6–7
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”
Our role is to plant and to water—but it is God who brings the growth.
Seed of Honour
Women’s Tea to honour and value our Avodah Ladies
Avodah hosted a special Women’s Tea to celebrate Women’s Month with our intellectually disabled female members. This was not just an ordinary tea—it was the highlight of a week-long preparation project in which each woman made her own unique contribution.
They created the flower arrangements themselves, folded the napkins, and prepared beautiful name cards with little containers filled with treats for each guest. The tables were festively set with cups and saucers, along with delicious goodies to spoil everyone. The ladies thoroughly enjoyed drinking their tea like true ladies—even with pinkies raised in the air!
The atmosphere was further brightened by Jean Bandjies, who entertained everyone with her sparkling singing. She uses her gift and beautiful voice to encourage and bless people at special events, and we are truly thankful for her involvement in this morning. It wasn’t long before the dance floor was full and the ladies let loose with joyful movement.
As the speaker of the day, Elra Smit reminded us of the precious gift of womanhood. Her message emphasized that no one’s life is accidental or without purpose—we are created as princesses, valuable and tender in the eyes of Jesus. Women who can lead, walk forward, dance, speak much—but above all, who look at people through gentle eyes that reflect the love of Jesus. Elra surprised each lady with a crown to remind them that they are daughters of the King, Jesus Christ—unique, precious, and deeply loved.
This Women’s Tea was about far more than simply drinking tea together. It was about honour, recognition, and inclusion. It was an opportunity to affirm the identity of our Avodah women as women of worth—defined not by their disability, but by their humanity and by their Creator.
Partner Spotlight-Seeds of serving
In April 2025, the Newrest community was devastated by a fire. On that very Sunday, Delia van Wyk—known to all as Aunty D of Nanna D’s Projects— was the first to call Ma’s vir Wellington. That call marked the beginning of a journey where Delia served her community tirelessly for three months.
With extraordinary courage and compassion, Aunty D stepped in as the lead organizer and coordinator, overseeing the sorting and distribution of a warehouse full of donations. Through her leadership, help reached more than 1,950 individuals and 600 families affected by the fire.
All the while, Delia carried the heavy burden of caring for her husband, Aubrey, who was terminally ill with kidney failure. Despite his illness, Aubrey stood faithfully beside her in the work until the very last home was served. Together, even in their personal struggle, they gave selflessly to others.
We at Ma’s vir Wellington honor Delia for her servant heart—towards her community, her late husband, her children, and her family. Aubrey passed away three months ago, but his touch and vision remain alive in Delia’s hands. Their shared dream was to establish a full-time soup kitchen: a place where children could come for a warm meal, and where families could receive shoes, clothing, or a blanket through community support.
Today, we are proud to say that Nanna D’s Projects are officially sponsored and endorsed by Ma’s vir Wellington. We will continue to stand with Delia, so that she can continue to serve her community in honor of Aubrey’s legacy.
As her vision declares: “Nurture and protect our future.”
You can help bring Aubrey and Delia’s dream to life. Join us in setting up a fully registered soup kitchen that will serve as a beacon of hope for families in need.
Contact Ma’s vir Wellington salome@masvirwellington.co.za to partner with us, donate, or volunteer today. Together, we can nurture and protect our future.
Seeds of Legacy
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.
Seeds of Encouragement
Seeff recently launched a special initiative to recognise remarkable women making a difference in the Wellington community. Four inspiring women were nominated:
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Retha Stigant (Lions Club)
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Elani Graham (Wellington SPCA)
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Este Laubser (Silwerkruin Bejaardesorg)
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and our very own Cornel de Beer (Ma’s vir Wellington)
We are delighted to share that Cornel de Beer has been named Remarkable Woman of the Year! Her unwavering dedication, compassion, and the love she pours into Ma’s vir Wellington are a true blessing to many.
A heartfelt thank you to Cornel for the incredible role she plays, and to Seeff for celebrating women who impact our community in such meaningful ways. We are deeply grateful!
