Sy was geniaal met radios Riana V D Westhuizen. Sy was Gelowig en het omgegee. Julle plaas glo ek was ook 'n ideale ligging wat "skip distances"ensomeer an betref het! Uit Eye of the Firestorm, Operasie Protea Augustus-September 1981: .... "Close on 22h24 there was a hurried radio message relayed from Major Joe Weyers, “Contact...Contact...Wait, out”. We could clearly hear a mauling near Cahama. The message was conveyed via the relay station of Tannie Pompie van der Westhuizen approximately 370km south-southeast of our position from her farm Koedoesvlei near Tsintsabis in SWA. Tannie (Aunty) Pompie was well known to the South African forces during the border war. As a loyal member of the Etosha Area Force Unit (AFU) she provided an invaluable radio-relay service for 61 Mech during operations .... On the return of Charlie Squadron to Omuthiya on 2 September I requested Captain Chris Gildenhuys to deliver a bouquet of flowers to Tannie Pompie. This was in appreciation for her invaluable radio relay services to our battle group in the field. The second-in-command of Charlie Squadron duly paid Tannie Pompie and her family a memorable visit on their farm Koedoesvlei near Tsintsabis ... This was in appreciation for her invaluable radio relay services to our battle group in the field. The second-in-command of Charlie Squadron duly paid Tannie Pompie and her family a memorable visit on their farm Koedoesvlei near Tsintsabis ... Omuthiya was a homecoming of note. My wonderful staff, creative and visionary as always, had organised a homecoming ‘braai’. Tannie Pompie I believe had something to do with this. At Omuthiya the cold beers were sweet. The aroma of the bush ‘braai’ drifted gently over us as the sun was setting. There was pleasant chit-chat and spontaneous laughter to be heard everywhere. Deep comradeships were felt, it was touchable. The young, some of them blooded for the first time, were warriors now. Chaplain Koos Rossouw’s thanksgiving ceremony was solemn and thought provoking. We sat on camp chairs or flat on the warm sand in deep thought. What were my soldiers thinking? I stared at their faces. As I write this account today some of them are deep into their forties approaching fifty with families and business or other similar responsibilities. Their children should know what amazing warriors they were. Everyone was bone-tired. Soon they retired to their tents for a long night’s rest. By Wednesday 2 September Protea was said and done ...!"
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Today 88 years ago, a legend was born.
Catharina Cornelia van der Westhuizen, born Mynhardt on the 3rd of February 1933.
Today its the birthday of a very special person in my life. The woman who gave me life, who taught me values and the joy of giving. The most wonderful Mom. An extraordinary human being. Im so blessed to call her Mamma. Not a day go past that I don't wish I could spend time with my parents. I ❤️ you. And miss you tons. Thank you for leaving us a wonderful legacy to enjoy and be proud of.
She was born in a family of 4 children. The only girl and second oldest. She lost both her parents at an early age and was raised by her grandparents. Her granny was in a wheel chair and my mom had to help with the younger boys, so I think her mother's instinct was very strong, thats partly why she felt all the boys in the army was hers. She had a very strong sense of responsibility and cared very deeply about everyone. That made her the perfect candidate to be in the role she carved out for herself on the airwaves of the SADF radios. She wouldn't take no for an answer and would not leave a single stone unturned in her quest to help and serve and save lives.
She will always be fondly remembered as call sign 91 or Tannie Pompie. She was one in a billion!!!