Born in District Six and raised in Bridgetown, Athlone, Mareldia’s journey was shaped by both hardship and hope. As the eldest of eight siblings, she took on enormous responsibility after the loss of her mother, helping to raise her brothers and sisters while supporting her father—a respected religious leader and direct descendant of the revered Tuan Guru.
Her story is not only one of personal triumph, but also one of service to others.
Through her work, she has empowered educators, supported families, advocated for children’s rights, and helped transform countless lives through education. We have a chat to a woman whose life story is one of resilience, sacrifice, service, and leadership.
Mareldia Tape, Director and CEO of Grassroots Educare Trust, has dedicated decades of her life to championing the rights of young children and strengthening Early Childhood Development in South Africa.
