Injured: 16 April 2011, while playing hooker for Augsburg Agricultural Gymnasium. He was 16 at the time and in grade 11. Following the accident his school, family and close knit farming community rallied around him providing support and encouragement and before long he was back and school, this time in a wheelchair and more than ever determined to complete his schooling and continue his “new normal” and the plans for his future. Gerhard works as a Systems Administrator at Stellenbosch University. He completed his undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Computer Science through UNISA — a remarkable achievement that reflects his determination and love for problem-solving.
For Gerhard, independence is everything. “It’s the most important factor in making a life for yourself,” he says. “The more independent you are, the more you can carve out your own path and feel truly like yourself.” Gerhard achieved another milestone — earning his driver’s licence in 2024 and purchasing a modified Caddy to suit his needs.