I have known Maurice since I was eleven years old. She was an amazing athlete; she would be the one who taught me everything there was to know about field hockey. She was also everyone’s friend, even to her bullies. Maurice recently became a mom for the first time, while still running her small business. Follow us on her journey with juggling being a mom, wife, friend, and entrepreneur.
Maurice has been a bit of a rebel since birth, she is the youngest of three sisters. But her mother said that if she was born first, she’d be an only child. She’d also be up for some innocent fun with friends in school, which would eventually lead to her receiving a disciplinary hearing with her hockey team. She told us that she once stole a cigarette with her cousins, and ruined her mom’s lounge set with her sisters spraying it full coke. Were you even a child if you didn’t break a few rules?
Being young Maurice also had to deal with her fair share of bullies. It hurt, but when they needed someone, she was there. And later that bully would be a better friend to her than her so-called friend group.
Still, we all grow up, and Maurice like everyone had to find her own identity. In high school, her friend’s opinion mattered a lot. She went to high school with her now-husband but was indifferent friend groups. So, they missed each other. After high school, Maurice only had but two of those friends left. It was then that she realized she had to form her own identity and opinion. Which she then found in Christ. She speaks about how her parents always set the example of being a good Christian. She of course like many of us, had her doubts. She wandered from God, still believed but questioned a lot. She then went on a date with her Husband, Morne.
After their first date, they made a pitstop at my house for a quick coffee. And I never told her this, but I felt a sense of peace in her. Like she found the one, the one that will calm her through any storm. As Maurice’s relationship grew stronger with Morne, he also led her closer to God. It was then she decided to only surround herself with people that will help her grow in her relationship with Christ. Good, bad, she wants someone to stand with her. But we all know someone who will come into your life and make you question your strength in God. A priest told Maurice, that because she wasn’t in church every Sunday, that she’s didn’t really believe. Her answer was plain and simple: God is in me not the church.
Maurice now lives in Thabazimbi, where she started her own sport development centrum. Her youngest student is 4 years old! She teaches hockey clinics at schools. But that is not even the best. She and her husband started a charity. Maune Care. With Maune care, they go out to the less privileged children, who have huge sports talent, and teach them hockey and cricket. Through their charity, they then provide these kids not only with amazing coaching but also gear, that the kids won't be able to afford.
The year 2020 has been rough… That’s another blog for another day. 2020 blessed Maurice with a baby boy. Thomas. Being a first-time mom, definitely gave us a lot of new challenges. But she has never experienced love, quite like the day she held her son for the first time. It was like a whole new belief in God was found. When asked about what advice she would give Thomas about adulthood, her answer was simple. Keep God close, belief in yourself, and help others. So basically, she wants a copy, paste of herself.
Maurice’s main Rebel in life is her Mom. Mariet Pretorius. She’d had a hard road in life. Calls her the miracle that she needed in her life. Through everything, Mariet showed her children, that a road with God is worth everything. Maurice had a message she wanted to share with her:
“Mami, nou dat ek my eie kind het besef ek eers hoe lief ma hulle ons werklik het, en die krag in ma se opregte gebed vir ons, ‘n better voorbeeld van ma wees sou ek nerens anders so goed kon kry nie. Dankie ma, ek is onvoorwaarlik lief vir ma. Om ma as my ma se kan he is die grootste eer.”
Being a rebel doesn’t always mean breaking down the house, or protesting in the streets. Sometimes it’s about finding your own way. For Me, Maurice is the type of Rebel that treats people with kindness. And that’s someone you need in 2021.
“Yesterday you wanted to do it… today you CAN do it. Tomorrow it might be too late… give love and kindness every day you might just make someone's day better...”
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