17/12/2025
Charmaine Thaele Still Rises
By Michael Tamelinth (Free State World)
Charmaine Thaele, hailing from Qwaqwa in the Free State, is the founder of the Still I Rise Foundation, an autism activist, and, most importantly, a devoted mother raising a child with autism spectrum disorder.
Her son Mpilo, born in 2012, was a healthy baby but began to show signs of speech delay at the age of three. Charmaine noticed that while he didn’t utter any words, he still engaged in baby talk, prompting her concern.
Despite no struggles with his growth, the communication delay pushed Charmaine to seek an assessment for him at the age of four, which ultimately led to his diagnosis of autism and ADHD.
Initially shocked by the diagnosis, Charmaine found strength in the support of her family and healthcare professionals, which helped her navigate the challenges they faced.
Her unconditional love for her son became the foundation for her journey into advocacy.
“When my son was diagnosed with autism, my world changed completely. I was faced with fear, confusion, stigma, and isolation. Like many parents, I had more questions than answers. I encountered a society that did not understand autism, systems that were not inclusive, and communities that often judged what they did not know. I quickly realized that the hardest part of autism was not the diagnosis itself, but the lack of awareness, acceptance, and support,” she reflected.
This experience ignited a passion within Charmaine, leading her to establish the Still I Rise Foundation in 2023. That same year, she hosted her inaugural event for autistic children, those with different abilities, and their peers, which proved to be a resounding success.
She aimed to create a safe space where autistic individuals and their families felt seen, supported, and celebrated.
“I work with autistic people because I see their strength, their uniqueness, and their untapped potential. Autism is not a limitation—it is a different way of experiencing the world. Through awareness, education, and community support, we can break stigma, empower parents, and give autistic children the dignity and opportunities they deserve,” Charmaine asserted.
Raising awareness is her mission to change the narrative around autism.
She advocates for society to shift from pity to understanding, from exclusion to inclusion, because every child deserves acknowledgment, every parent deserves support, and every voice deserves to be heard.
“This work is deeply personal to me. It is driven by love, faith, and the belief that even in our lowest moments, we can rise. That is why I do what I do—because I know firsthand that when we stand together, we all rise.”