MARELIZE Horn from Windhoek recently became famous by the widely circulated clip of her riding her bicycle into a rugby pole.
At the age of 19, Marelize had never ridden a bicycle and her mom was recording the video so Marelize could prove to an au-pair agency in the Netherlands that she could ride, as cycling is their main use of transport.
After Marelize hit the rugby pole her mother thought she had stopped recording but had not, and walked over to Marelize, saying the now famous words: “My *** Marelize”.
“It’s incredible to think how 16 seconds can be as life-changing as this,” Marelize said.
She has since taken part in cycling events all over South Africa.
While people in Windhoek didn’t make a big fuss of her newfound fame, things were certainly different once she visited South Africa.
“My mouth hung open, I felt like I was in a different world.”
While she has many supporters, she still has to endure some negative comments, but she won’t let those get her down.
“There are only two opinions that count, mine and God’s and God’s opinion about me is always positive. People can be cruel, I pray that God will measure my words so I can uplift instead of breaking others down.”
When opportunity literally strikes you in the face
Marelize has big dreams; she wants to become a public motivational speaker, specifically to be a voice for the youth.
“To be able to do this I need to get my name out there and build a platform, and if this is how I get started I am thrilled.”
She wanted to work as an au-pair so she could understand the inner workings of a child. Her backup plan is to volunteer for Teachers Without Borders.
Marelize is interested in studying theology to learn as much as she can about God.
“I believe everything I am is because of God. You can never learn enough about Him.”
It’s not as easy as riding a bicycle
A month after Marelize’s incident with the rugby pole she was invited to ride Off the Beaten Track.
“In Windhoek we don’t have many trees. When I arrived at the race there were dense forests I had to steer through and I became incredibly claustrophobic.
Marelize had to navigate a path that went between two trees.
“My immediate thought was my hips are wider than the path. My next thought was to smack the tree out of my way with my hand. I smacked the tree and, of course, the bicycle skidded out from underneath me, and I ninja-rolled all over the ground,” she laughed.
Marelize got back on her bike and with a few more accidents along the way completed the race, she had set her mind on completing the race no matter what.
An exciting journey
Marelize has been asked if it bothers her that something like this has brought her so much fame.
“Why should it? There are many clumsy people out there, I just had the privilege that my clumsiness took me to a place where I could make it part of my bigger life plans.
“That video is an example of what life is, one minute you are cycling happily along, the next moment you hit a pole. Life will never be a straight path, there are detours and roadworks, but it’s your decision what you do with your life and how you handle the obstacles that come across your way.”
Her very own song
Du Preez van Heerden, writer of the acoustic song My *** Marelize, contacted Viral Productions in Alberton to record the song with a full band, after the acoustic version had over 13 000 views within the first week of its release.
The recording was completed in May with Du Preez on guitar and vocals, Jurie Olckers on guitar and bass, and 11-year-old Kevin Olckers on drums.
The final recording went live on Facebook on May 30 with over 200 000 views, and growing. The music video, starring Marelize Horn, was recorded on May 31 and June 1, right here in Alberton.
A special thanks to the following sponsors:
Chantelle Lombard – Make-up
Snel Guest Lodge – Accommodation
Rindi Cloete from KI Energy – Airline tickets
Lood Kleynhans – Alberton Rugby Club
André Lira – Basement parking
Bryan Snook from Pronamic Transport
Sisandile Holdings – Sound and music equipment
WATCH:
WARNING: This video contains strong language
