The calm in the storm

MARISELLE STOFBERG Everyone has a dream of making a difference in life, but sometimes lacks the perseverance and determination needed to do that. Renay Coetzee, however, has never backed down from any challenge she was given in life and with her smile, tenacity and strength she is able to accomplish anything she sets her mind to. Renay Coetzee grew up in Bloemfontein where she was raised by her mother. Coetzee experienced loss at a young age when her father passed away when she was only five years old, and she also lost her older brother just before her 17th birthday. She moved to Namibia in 2009 and five years later she got married.Coetzee is passionate about making a difference and helping people, which influenced her career path. “I like to help and make a difference wherever I might be.” As the dispensary clerk, Coetzee is responsible for helping patients and clients with stoma products or financial assistance, but also lends a helping hand in other departments. The most challenging part of her career is to lose a patient, because she walks the road with them. The joy of finding out your patients are cancer free is heart-warming for Coetzee.“I’m quiet, I always listen and I try to help wherever I can to make a difference,” she added. Coetzee is a curious being who loves to venture into new things. “I like to try out new recipes and I love to build puzzles because it calms me down.” They say one should make lemonade when life offers you lemons, and this is second nature for Coetzee who is always ready to face any challenge with a smile. Even though Coetzee is exceptional in her current career path, she always wanted to venture in law. “I always wanted to become a judge, because I don’t like crime and violence and want to be able to make a difference in these areas as well.” Today, however, she is able to leave her mark on every person she has the privilege of working with.The best advice Coetzee has ever received has been that no matter how hard life is, never back down, always just smile and move on.Working in a career where one is always faced with emotional situations, Coetzee has been able to empathise with her patients and their journey, and is able to hide her own emotions to give her patients her full attention. Coetzee has a bright future ahead of her and hopes to one day see everything the world has to offer. “One day I wish to travel the world with my husband and experience the world and what it has to offer,” she says.

The calm in the storm

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

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The calm in the storm

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

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