George, Garden Route (Aug 2019) - Most people know Martelize Brink for her breakfast show, “Oggend op RSG”, South Africa’s biggest Afrikaans radio station. She began broadcasting for the station in 2004. Today, along with her co-host, Johan Rademan, the two educate, inform, entertain and inspire listeners between 12 am and 15:00 am every weekday on the Show 360.
Georgians know her as a staunch supporter of the Outeniqua Cycle Challenge. She has taken part in numerous events and helped promote the event using her public platform.
Martelize inexplicably lost the use of her legs at 13. A year ago, in an interview with James de Villiers on “Love the Cape” she shared that she was feeling the aftereffects of taking part in a 24-hour marathon one morning, went back to bed and when she awoke she could not move her legs. They think the Marathon had an effect, but I only became paralysed a year later.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding the diagnosis, she did not immediately know that she would never walk again. For the next two years she lived with this uncertainty before making peace with the fact that her condition was permanent.
After refusing to relocate to attend school, Paarl Gymnasium accommodated her needs and she was able to complete her schooling among good friends and a solid support group.
Going on to Stellenbosch University, she obtained a BA degree in Political Science, followed by honours degree in Political Science. Since then she has become an award-winning radio presenter having won the Huisgenoot Tempo Awards in 2013.
When asked how she felt after the announcement, Brink said that “RSG has the most amazing and loyal listeners”. She didn’t expect to win and it was a huge surprise to her when they called her name. Brink thanked Huisgenoot, largest Afrikaans magazine, for including Radio as a first-time category for 2013. She also thanked RSG for “giving me the opportunity to experience creativity each and every day”. Brink says she would have liked to buy each listener a bottle of bubbly to celebrate with her.
She trekked with the gorillas in Rwanda and experienced the wildlife of Tanzania.
As a child she served as the onion-peeler for her father, potjiekos king Matie Brink. Today Martelize is a masterful cook and baker who knows all about flavour. “Martelize Kook! JY’S GENOOI” is a collection of her recipes which extends from breads, snacks, seafood, and mains with meat, game and chicken to the meals she likes to enjoy in her cosy kitchen after a long working day.
In her spare time, she is a sought-after master of ceremonies and motivational speaker as she did for Wesgro at the African Responsible Tourism Awards earlier this year.
Martelize has recently received an ATKV award for best presenter or interviewer of a journal programme.
She is happiest when with friends, sharing good food and wine. She loves cooking and is addicted to exercise.
Martelize did not want to be an inspiration to the world. She admits that she is flawed and has made mistakes in life. But perhaps that is exactly why she is indeed such an inspiration.
The fact that she does not consider her experience as a negative, but instead a learning and growing experience, is what inspires others without her ever intending to be an inspiration.
The Outeniqua Cycle Challenge
The 17’Th OCC, a wheelchair race which attracts athletes from all over the world, will take place in George on Saturday 14 September 2019!
A wheelchair race exclusively for disabled athletes!
And – every year it is getting bigger and better! The number of entries has increased dramatically, with disabled athletes and other persons in wheelchairs flocking to this annual event.
The Challenge is not only unique as being the first and only event exclusively for the disabled in South Africa, but it is staged in the picturesque town of George, in the heart of the spectacular Garden Route in the Western Cape, situated at the foot of the splendour of the Outeniqua Mountains.
Athletes in racing wheelchairs, adapted bicycles, hand cycles, basketball chairs and ordinary wheelchairs have made this into the premier sporting event for the disabled on the South African sporting calendar. It undoubtedly has the potential to develop into one of the best events of its kind in the world!
Apart from the George Municipality & George Business Chamber, Lancewood and the Department of Cultural Affairs & Sport is supporting the event. Halfway Toyota is the venue host for the event.
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