Elsje Neethling, the famous swimmer Ryk Neethling’s sister, died on Saturday evening.
RYK NEETHLING’S SISTER ELSJE PASSED AWAY
Jean-Marié Neethling Stander, Ryk’s youngest sister, confirmed the news on Instagram.
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“Last night our beautiful daughter & sister, Elsje passed away peacefully in Hermanus. She fought until the end as only Elsje could, but we know that she is in a better place now, without the pain and suffering she had to endure for 30 years, but the past two years especially.
“For now we please ask for privacy for the next few days. Have a blessed Christmas.
Elsh, you didn’t lose the fight against cancer, you won the race of life by fighting tirelessly with a smile on your face every day of your life 🤍 you won, you can rest now.
“Mis jou alreeds só ongelooflik baie ❤️ bigger than the whole sky.”
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THE FAMILY HAS REQUESTED THAT THEIR PRIVACY BE RESPECTED
The family has requested that their privacy be respected for the next few days.
Elsje recently celebrated her 43rd birthday. She was 13 years old when she was first diagnosed with brain cancer.
Singer Amanda Strydom expressed her condolences in a post on Facebook.
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ELSJE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BRAIN CANCER WHEN SHE WAS A TEENAGER
“Rest in painless peace, my dearest Elsje godchild. You were an inspiration to me and so many – you never, ever complained. You were smart, strong, artistic, creative and funny.
“You were light and color and joy, you were brave until the end. I will miss your messages and calls. I will never, ever forget you. My love and comfort to San-Marie, Ryk, Rykie and Jean-Marié, CJ, little Everli, Marietjie Muijs Neethling, her family and everyone who loved her so much.”
Elsje shared the following on Facebook in October:
SHE SHARED THE FOLLOWING POST ON FACEBOOK IN OCTOBER
“I counted my years and found that I have less time to live from here on than I have lived up to now.
“I feel like that child who won a packet of sweets: he ate the first with pleasure, but when he realized that there were few left, he began to enjoy them intensely.
“I no longer have time for endless meetings where statutes, rules, procedures and internal regulations are discussed, knowing that nothing will be achieved.
“I no longer have time to support the absurd people who, despite their chronological age, haven’t grown up.
“My time is too short: I want the essence, my soul is in a hurry. I don’t have many sweets in the package anymore.
“I want to live next to human people, very human, who know how to laugh at their mistakes and who are not inflated by their triumphs and who take on their responsibilities.
“Thus human dignity is defended and we move towards truth and honesty It is the essential that makes life worth living.
“I want to surround myself with people who know how to touch hearts, people who have been taught by the hard blows of life to grow with gentle touches of the soul.
“Yes, I’m in a hurry, I’m in a hurry to live with the intensity that only maturity can give.
“I don’t intend to waste any of the leftover sweets. I am sure they will be delicious, much more than what I have eaten so far.
“My goal is to reach the end satisfied and at peace with my loved ones and my conscience.
“We have two lives and the second begins when you realize you only have one.”
Elsje Neethling
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