A Tribute to Angie

Angie Diedericks was born on the 1st of September 2006, an only child to her parents. They named her Angelique which translates to 'messenger' or 'angel' in Greek.

She was a spring baby and that is why she loved sunflowers so much. Spring was the beginning of her life as well as her borrowed time for those who loved her.

Since Angie was a little girl, she touched the people she met and as the years passed Angie did the things of a normal child, a busy body but not a naughty child. Obedient and respectful, yet she had her own unique print in the world.

Angie as a child could never say no to a person in need, she was always ready to help and during her primary school years she bloomed into being the head girl of Gekombineerde Skool Christiana.

Angie also had some challenges in her life, her parents' divorce, a new school and new families on both sided, but never did Angie complain.

Netball, hockey, dance and oratory was her favourite pass times. She was part of the team and participated in IFAA dance championships and obtained numerous certificates in tap, lyrical, and open dance categories. Angie survived COVID as well as the challenges of a new school. She even started to learn Setswana because for Angie the person rather than the language difference was of more importance.

Angie had dreams like any teenager, and she lived them. Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, technology was never a challenge. Angie even decide to take Agriculture as a school subject (even if it was dominated by boys) because as Angie would say 'If you can read, you will be able to cook ' when she was asked why she did not take the alternative class.

Angie was popular with her friends and had plans for her future, from visiting the U.S to au Pair to joining the agricultural sector and lastly it was to study English and to become a teacher.

Never did we as parents and co parents ever think that depression would hit us so hard. Angie had her challenges and was seeing a psychiatrist, she had help and support from her parents, co parents and friends.

As they often describe depression as 'the silent killer' we will never know what happened on that fateful day of 1 April 2023, when Angie decided to end her short life the way she did.

She was loved, adored and she is so, so missed by her parents.

Angie, Angelique … Messenger of God, my angel… a name so fitting for our daughter gone too soon.