Marie van Selm (née Nell) 1909 - 2010 was born on a farm in Kwa Zulu-Natal, South Africa. Her first languages were Zulu, English, and Afrikaans. She majored in English and History at the University of the Witwatersrand. She married Dr George van Selm and they went to the United States of America where he studied at Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic. She took a course in horticulture.
She met Moral Re-Armament (MRA) in 1952 when she worked at Kingsmead College in Johannesburg. She was invited to Kenya and later visited Nigeria and many other African countries. In the 1960's she worked with MRA in the United States, living in Los Angeles when The Crowning Experience was filmed.
In South Africa, she was an inspirational figure. She co-founded The Kaapse Vroueklub (The Cape Womens' Club) in the early 1980s. The aim was to bring women of all races together. This was very successful. When Dr Nelson Mandela became President of South Africa he invited the then Chair-ladies of the Kaapse Vroueklub and Kontak, another bridge-building group, to thank them for the work women had done to build bridges between all races during those difficult years of Apartheid.
Marie contributed greatly to the work of MRA during those years. She built good relationships with professors at Stellenbosch University and through her, Prof. Willie Esterhuyse, Emeritus Professor of philosophy and business ethics was invited to the international conference of MRA at Caux, Switzerland in 1996 where he outlined the concept of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for South Africa.
She herself participated in many international conferences at Mountain House, Caux and became lifelong friends with people from all continents. She had a great gift for listening to people and had a sensitive heart, helping people turn their lives around and find new inspiration. People of all races and classes highly regarded her and trusted her with their deepest experiences.
Marie had a very real touch with God and a belief that the Holy Spirit would prevail in all situations. She was fearless and would follow her inner convictions against all odds. She had a great sense of humour and was a superb horse rider, golfer, and all round life-enhancer.
By Vilma Maritz
