Brackendowns education student faces major setback after horrific car accident

Anrichelle Nortje, a fourth-year bachelor of education student, is balancing full-time work and studies.

Teaching is her passion, and she finds immense joy in working with young learners.

Netball holds a special place in her heart, and she has an SA umpiring grade – reflecting her dedication to the sport.

Anrichelle, a 31-year-old Brackendowns resident, on May 15 was heading home when, to her shock, while driving on Voortrekker Road, someone threw a rock at her car. It badly damaged her windscreen.

She got a fright and lost control over her car. Though Anrichelle tried to hold on to her steering wheel, she hit the concrete.

“All the airbags were out and people came to assist. I couldn’t move. I could feel my ankle was broken. I also broke two of my vertebrae in my lower back. We waited an hour for an ambulance and I have never felt so much pain in my life. My entire body was full of bruises. I was in the hospital for three days at Netcare Alberton Hospital,” Anrichelle said.

Her injuries included a fractured left ankle requiring a plate, a cracked right hand, a small tear in her liver, and two fractures in her back.

On July 3, after going through an operation, the orthopaedic surgeon advised her to undergo an operation on her knee for her ligaments.

Major setback

“God saved my life 100%. I haven’t seen my car yet, but everyone who has seen it says I should have been dead. Doctors told me how lucky I was to be alive,” she said.

The accident severely affected her, almost taking away the one thing that was dear to her.

“I’m a very sporty person and worked hard in my netball. It is quite sad I will many tournaments,” she said.
Not only is netball Anrichelle’s happy place, but the sport is her saving grace. Before the accident, she reiterated, she was at her peak in her sporting journey.

“I cannot walk wherever I want to. I always need to ask someone for help. I’m not sure if I will be 100% to umpire again and do what I did previously. Everybody who knows me in Alberton knows how much I love netball,” she said.

Her medical aid does not cover all expenses associated with seeing the trauma doctor, neurosurgeon, orthopaedic surgeon, and ongoing rehabilitation of the physiotherapist, which has proven to be quite costly.
She needs at least R30 000 to R50 000 to get back into the netball court.

To financially assist Anrichelle towards her medical bills and help get her back on the netball court, contact her via email at anrichelle@gmail.com

BackaBuddy: Recovering with Resolve: Anrichelle Nortje Car Accident