When beloved lecturer Ciska needed encouragement most, her students surrounded her with flowers, thoughtful gifts and heartfelt messages to remind her that she was not facing her cancer journey alone.
Cape Town, South Africa (22 October 2026) – The person who usually cheers young people on to strive for greatness has now become the one they are cheering through a difficult personal battle.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) lecturer Ciska DK, based at the Wellington Campus, has been brought to tears by her students throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In their own special ways, they have taken the time to celebrate her and honour the courage she has shown throughout her cancer journey.
Ciska has shared several special moments in which her students surprised her with flowers and treats as their way of extending kind gestures of support and solidarity for an educator who continually inspires them.
In one video, she gasped in awe at the special notes and pink posters decorating her office door, then reacted with delight when she saw the treats and the students behind the surprise waiting inside.
“I am so blessed with amazing students,” Ciska shared in a separate post, admitting that she “ugly-cried” when she was presented with a bouquet of chocolates during a class.
Fourth-year student Mauritia Plaatjies also gifted Ciska a beautiful portrait capturing the strength she has shown throughout a journey that has tested her in many ways.
Ciska has openly shared her experience as a breast cancer fighter on social media, speaking about the challenges of balancing her workload and institutional duties with treatment, sick leave, financial strain and preparations for surgery.
Throughout her journey, she has repeatedly expressed deep gratitude for the support of her students and fellow CPUT colleagues, sharing how much their encouragement and kindness have meant to her.
Alongside images from a recent photoshoot, Ciska courageously declared that she would continue the fight against cancer. She also offered words of encouragement to others facing cancer, another illness or any difficult journey that leaves them feeling alone.
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Sources: Ciska DK
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