Exciting new chapter

Tamaryne Brits (18) is about to start a new chapter in her life – a new chapter in a recipe book, so to speak, because she will start her training as a chef at HTA School of Culinary Art in Randburg.

She was afforded this one-year training certificate programme after Steven Billingham of the school heard Brits’s story on 94.7 Highveld

Stereo. Her brother Jaco Brits (23) shared her story for the 94.7 Christmas Wish at the end of last year.

“I needed something for Tammy to do after she finished matric, so I took a chance and sent an email,” said Jaco. “But financially I would not have been able to let her study.”

The siblings’ mother died in 2012 due to cystic fibrosis. Their mother was diagnosed in 2011 and a year later their parents divorced. Tamaryne and her mother went to live with her aunt in Vereeniging where she matriculated last year.

Brits said, “That day I was sitting at my aunt’s work place when the call came. I was overwhelmed with joy. This is such an exciting episode in my life.”

She has always had a passion for food and cooking. “I am the only one in my family doing that. My cousins are all into law and numbers. I don’t even understand what some of them do for a living.”

She cannot wait to start. “Matric was a challenge but I think here comes another big one, and it seems like I am the only Afrikaans student as well. I think I still need to grow into the chef jacket. I truly cannot wait to begin with the training.”

She lives in Kempton Park and will take the Gautrain to the school.

“I want to make a success of this. I want to make Mr Billingham proud. I am going to give my best.”