At this year’s Badisa AGM, a very special new award was introduced: “The Beukes/Van Zyl Award for exceptional service to Badisa”, recognising exceptional service, commitment and perseverance.
The award is named after Juanita Beukes and Ronel van Zyl, two remarkable women who were known for their outstanding contribution to Badisa and the broader social services sector. Their commitment was not simply something they spoke about, it was something they lived through the way they served, supported others and continued showing up when the work was difficult.
It was therefore fitting that the first recipients of the award were Magdalena Koch and Thys de Coning, two people whose careers reflect that same spirit of loyalty, service and perseverance.
Magdalena began her career in 1977 and retires after an extraordinary 49 years in social services. Since joining Badisa in 2004, she has served as a social worker, manager, mentor and trusted colleague. Her compassion, loyalty, organisational ability and attention to detail have touched the lives of thousands. For Magdalena, social work was never simply a profession, it was a calling.
Thys also began his career in 1977 and retires after 49 years in the social work profession. Since joining Badisa in 2006, he became known as a calm and dependable “regrukker”, someone who could bring order, stability and a practical plan when a programme, office or archive needed it most. His humour, respect for others, loyalty and willingness to help wherever needed earned him the trust of colleagues throughout Badisa.
After almost five decades of service, Magdalena and Thys leave behind far more than reports, files and very well-organised archives. They leave behind stronger programmes, colleagues they have mentored, knowledge they have shared and thousands of lives they have helped change.
Magdalena and Thys, thank you for the part you have played in Badisa’s story. You did not only help preserve our history, you helped write it.
Photo Credit: Natalie Gabriels Photography