?When Dr Mari?tte Botha received her first degree at SU, her father Tiny said, “One day you're going to wear one of those red doctoral gowns." His words were prophetic because this week, Mari?tte's dream of obtaining a PhD in Speech, Language and Hearing Therapy became a reality. It was a highly emotional day as the family all gathered for her graduation at the Coetzenburg Centre.
In her red gown, she stood beaming next to the person who literally saved her life – her younger brother, Martin Mans, who donated his kidney to her in 2021.
For years, Mari?tte carried on with life not knowing her kidneys were slowly failing her. She'd always attributed her low energy to the pressures of adulthood, motherhood and academic life. But 11 years ago, a routine pregnancy test revealed abnormal kidney function. She was diagnosed with stage 4 renal failure – the stage just before end-stage kidney disease.
“I was 32 when the kidney problem was identified," she recalls. “I had a very good pregnancy, but right after my son was born, I had to go for a biopsy. The diagnosis was a shock, and there was no clear cause. That uncertainty was hard to live with, not just for me, but for my son's future too."
The news came just five years after she completed her master's in Speech, Language and Hearing Therapy at SU. Determined not to let the diagnosis derail her academic ambitions, she continued her studies while managing her health. She enrolled in an advanced diploma in hearing aid acoustics, and by 2019, had begun preparing for her PhD.
But halfway through her research, the call came. “My nephrologist said, 'Your kidney function is at 10%. You need a transplant now.' I was devastated. And it was during the height of the 中国体育彩票 pandemic."
As hospitals strained under the pressure of the first wave of Covid infections, Mari?tte and her family – then based in Gqeberha – were told that high-risk surgeries like hers could only proceed if the patient was living in the same city as the transplant hospital. So, the family uprooted their lives and temporarily moved to Cape Town.
That move made it possible for her to undergo surgery at the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital under the care of renowned transplant surgeon Prof Elmin Steyn, head of surgery at SU's Tygerberg campus. But the operation would not have been possible without one extraordinary gift – her brother, Martin, also an SU alumnus, turned out to be a perfect donor match.
“I still get emotional when I talk about it," Mari?tte says overcome by tears. “He just offered, without hesitation. It's something I can never repay."
On 6 April 2021, the siblings were admitted for surgery. They spent the night before together in a hospital room, a moment she describes as “incredibly emotional".
“I was with him briefly after the kidney had been removed. It was so traumatic to see him so vulnerable. And then I had to go in next." The transplant itself was successful, but complications followed after her lung accidentally collapsed during a risky anaesthetic procedure.
“I couldn't breathe. They had to insert a chest drain without general anaesthetic. It was extremely painful. I stayed in ICU for over a week. And because of Covid protocols, I couldn't even see my brother afterwards. We were in the same hospital, recovering, but separated."
All the while their father and mother Hermien anxiously waited at a distance. “We're their only two children. They had to say goodbye to both of us outside the ward and weren't allowed in again. I can't imagine what that was like for them."
Martin's wife, Michelle, was pregnant at the time, but chose not to tell him until after the surgery – fearing the news would add to his stress. “This transplant affected the whole family," Mari?tte reflects. “It's not just about the donor and the recipient. The ripple effect is huge."
Despite the discomfort and emotional toll, Mari?tte remained steadfast in her academic mission. “I was determined not to take a break. Two months after the surgery, I started walking and working again. My work gave me purpose, and my support system – my incredible supervisor, Dr Berna Gerber, my family and especially Martin – gave me strength. I was able to complete my PhD within the prescribed timeframe.
“I am forever grateful to my medical team, to my loved ones, and most of all, to Martin. He gave me more than just a kidney; it gave me the chance to finish what I started. And for that, I will never stop striving to make a difference and hope to inspire others who have big obstacles to overcome while pursuing their studies."
Mari?tte's doctoral research focused on the experiences of speech-language therapists and caregivers in cross-linguistic and cross-cultural contexts. It is a subject close to her heart.
“In South Africa, we have 12 official languages. Most speech therapists are still Afrikaans or English-speaking, and there's a need for more culturally and linguistically responsive practices. My study produced practical guidelines that I hope will help therapists serve their clients more effectively."
Today, she is thriving. “I feel like a new person. I have energy, I gym five days a week. I'm a trail runner now. I've gone from zero to 100!"
In a moving gesture, she dedicated her dissertation to Martin. “It would not have been possible without him. I want to honour him, and all organ donors, for the incredible gift of life."
Mari?tte is passionate about raising awareness about organ donation. “People need to know what a difference it can make. I was lucky – I had a donor in my family. Not everyone does."
- To find out more about becoming an organ donor in South Africa, visit: Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa – www.odf.org.za | 0800 22 66 11
Photo: Dr Mari?tte Botha and her brother Martin Mans
Photo by Stefan Els
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