Student pilot (17) killed in north crash fondly remembered
"You were and are absolutely awesome. You're going to be endlessly missed. I already long for you so terribly. You will always be a part of my life. Fly high with the angels until I see you again. All my love, forever."
A Hoërskool Montana learner who died in the light aircraft crash earlier this week, Anika de Beer’s, legacy will live on in the many lives she touched.
Anika, who would have turned 17 on Saturday, and was in Grade 11, was a student pilot at Professional Flight Centre (PFC).
A memorial service was held on her birthday, in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk Montana-Oos,
A memorial service was held on her birthday, in the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk Montana-Oos, where it was said she would always be remembered for her red hair, freckles, bubbly personality and giggles.
Anika was flying a Piper Cherokee 28A-180 when it crashed in the veld behind the main campus of the Onderstepoort veterinary academic hospital on Tuesday.
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While waiting for the sermon to commence, Riana Nel’s, Hou die Hemel Oop, was softly playing in the background.
A candle was lit in memory of her life and was not to be blown out, “as her life will still go on and the memories of Anika will stay in the hearts of those who were privileged to know her”.
Emphasis was placed on verse 7 – “It (love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”.
Anika’s dad, Andries wrote the following letter to his daughter: “Your personality, gentleness, firmness and dedication made me so proud. You attempted everything with so much passion, drive and love for life. Heavenly Father has blessed you for almost 17 years, and I am very grateful for that.
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“Just know that I’ll never forget you – your laughs, your teasing, your beautiful red hair, your freckles… I just wish I could hold you one more time my child, tell you once more how much I love you. I trust that you are happy.
“I do not say goodbye, as you are still going to be a part of my life and my heart every day. We will talk again soon my child again.”
Mother Rika wrote the following letter to her “best friend”: “You were not only my child; you were my best friend. I could cry on your shoulders. You were my soundboard. You could listen and always say the right thing to make me feel better. Thank you for always telling me what is going on in your life. I’ve always felt so special that you shared things with me.
“Thank you for never getting angry for my limitless enthusiasm next to the sports field for supporting you. My darling, I am so incredibly proud of what you have achieved. You lived to the fullest and there were some times not enough hours in the day for you to do everything you wanted.
“You were and are absolutely awesome. You’re going to be endlessly missed. I already long for you so terribly. You will always be a part of my life. Fly high with the angels until I see you again. All my love, forever.”
PFC will host a counselling session in partnership with Mayday SA for every student or parent that has been emotionally affected by her death on Monday, 6 July, at Morgenzon Estate, next to Wonderboom Airport.
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