Women’s Month Spotlight: Maya

The Women I Look Up To

By Maya Marankey

Growing up as the eldest of five children, I had the honour of being raised by a woman who never let us see the weight of the world on her shoulders. My mother – the kindest, bubbliest soul – was a warm, joyful presence who carried our family with laughter and love, no matter what challenges came her way. Her grace and gentleness shaped who I am today. She was my first example of strength.

But in 2008, I was introduced to a new kind of strength – the kind that is born in suffering, forged in faith and sustained by divine purpose. That year, my sister, just a year and five months younger than me, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 43. It shook our world. I watched her endure chemotherapy, surgeries and days of unimaginable pain – and that wasn’t even the half of what she faced. Behind closed doors, she was also silently battling the trauma of domestic abuse.

Yet, through it all, she never wavered in her faith.

Prophetess Natessa Jacobs, my sister, my warrior, is a woman of God. A true vessel – she went on to deliver the Word to nations, winning souls, lifting hearts and preaching the Gospel far and wide. Despite her personal storms, she stood firm in the belief that her life had a greater purpose. Her testimony became her ministry.

Sixteen years passed, and life went on, until April 2024. She had just planned and arranged my 60th birthday celebration (because she always believed people should be celebrated), when the signs began to show – she couldn’t eat, she lost weight rapidly and test after test turned up nothing. Eventually, the truth came out – the cancer had returned, this time in her stomach.

This time… it hit harder.

I was devastated. My beautiful, strong, fire-filled sister – how could this happen again? She was only 58, with three children, three grandchildren, and two more on the way. I broke down in front of her, and as always, she comforted me. “Nee Maya, moenie kom huil nie,” she said with a soft smile, even while her body fought to keep going.

Then came the day I will never forget. We went together to the hospital, hoping for answers. But the doctors had given up. They said there was nothing more they could do.

No more medicine. No more chemo. They sent her home – not to recover, but to wait.

I looked at her, and I couldn’t let that be the final word. I turned to her and said, “You will be back in October for your next appointment.” Two weeks later, we were at her hospital bed, and she looked me in the eye and said, “Maya, I know they can do nothing for me.”
And I replied with all the faith I could gather, “Tessa, I couldn’t say it then, but I’ll say it now – God is God. You are going to make it. You’re not going to leave me alone.”

And He did. God showed up.

Even when the system failed her, when the pain grew deeper and when the world said it was over – her faith, our prayers and God’s mercy kept her. We shaved our heads with her when she couldn’t do it herself. Myself, my daughter-in-law, the men in our family, her spiritual children – we all stood in unity and love. We bore the weight together.

She laughed with us over video calls even during chemo. She gave us joy when we thought there was none to be found. She reminded us that family is where comfort lives, and that grace shows up when we gather in love.

It was during this time – the darkest time – that her faith became my strength. Whenever I felt like giving up, I would think of her faith. That unshakable trust in God. And it was that very faith that carried me through. Not just once, but again and again.

Today, I proudly say:

I look up to my sister, Prophetess Natessa Jacobs.

She is in full remission. She continues to preach the Gospel. She is walking, talking and testifying of God’s miraculous power. Her life is a testament to what unwavering faith looks like. To what happens when a woman refuses to give up.

I look up to my mother, who showed me how to carry life with joy.

And I look up to my sister, who taught me how to carry life through storms.

They are the strongest women I know.