Community mourns two merciful samaritans

KNYSNA NEWS - The Greater Knysna community has lost two long-time servants of the town in a short space of time.

Saloemina Endiena Beukes and Jeanetta Dorethea Botha both served the community valiantly in their respective fields for many years before they passed away on 3 and 6 April respectively.

Beukes, known to the community as Sister Beukes, was born in Knysna in 1963 to the surname Kamfer, attending Knysna Secondary School before she started her nursing career, first at Hornlee Clinic before attending the Tygerberg School of Nursing. After completing her studies, Sister Beukes returned to Knysna to work at the Hornlee Clinic.

Sister Beukes would go on to have two daughters – Lauren and Meagan. Outside the work she did as a nurse, she is said to have always lent a helping hand wherever needed around the community.

For her daughter Meagan, she will always be remembered for the exemplary work she did as a nurse and the pure heart she carried. "She was a wonderful nurse for the community, and she had a real heart of gold," Meagan said. Sister Beukes passed away of natural causes on 3 April. She is survived by her two daughters, and two grandchildren Nathan and Damian.

Botha, affectionately known by many as Ouma Doris, was born with the Wildeman surname in 1938 in Uniondale, where she completed her schooling. Ouma Doris had one child, John Wildeman, prior to her marriage to Manuel Botha in 1961 at the age of 23. The two would have four children together – Desiree, Gaven, Roderick and Esmeralda – and would serve together at the Knysna Police Station.

After Manuel passed away, Ouma Doris moved on to serve for the department of correctional services in Knysna. Throughout her life, Ouma Doris was highly regarded in professional circles and loved dearly in her personal life for the work she did in serving the community. This is something that her daughter Esmeralda will fondly remember her for. "The biggest impact she made was through the work she did in the community, and the love she showed to everybody," Esmeralda said.

Ouma Doris passed away on 6 April of natural causes. She is survived by her children, 11 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Sister Beukes.