Multi award-winning Chaeli Mycroft graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2015 with majors in Politics and Social development, gained her honours degree in Social Policy and Management in 2016, and a Mphil degree in Human Rights Law in 2019.
Chaeli believes in living a full and rich life. She is an adventurer, a conqueror of limitations and constantly seeks new ways of overcoming perceived barriers and boundaries.
She has been recognised as an international ability activist, awarded the international Children’s Peace Prize in 2011, was welcomed as an Obama Foundation #AfricanLeader and Global Changemaker, and appointed to the Global Board of Generation Unlimited - a global initiative housed under UNICEF.
Chaeli competes in international wheelchair dancing competitions and was the first wheelchair athlete in 95 years to finish the iconic 89km Comrades marathon. She became the 1st adaptive (assisted wheelchair) athlete to get her Comrades back-to-back, and competed in her 4th Comrades in June 2019. She has also completed 5 Cape Town Cycle Tours, in buggy with her cycle partners, and in September 2015 became the first female quadriplegic to summit Mt Kilimanjaro.
“Through teamwork,” she believes, “you can accomplish anything.” Her current mission is to drive an adaptive car, to ensure future independence. We can’t wait to hear her talk on how embracing our vulnerability will guide us on how to trust in our strength.
We asked Chaeli a couple of questions to help you get to know her, before she takes the TEDxCapeTown stage.
What is your passion/ what gets you out of bed in the morning?
I love engaging with people and having deep, meaningful conversations with as many people as possible.
Any favourite TED/TEDx talk? If so, please mention it here.
“Inside the mind of a master procrastinator” by Tim Urban :)
What's your favourite non-alcoholic drink?
Kola tonic and lemonade or hot chocolate if it's a cold, rainy day.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a zoologist (I was all about Animal Planet and I wanted to adopt a rescue manatee).
