Ms Phyllis Malope was born in Bertsham's Johannesburg, matriculated at Healdtown High School in Eastern Cape and obtained her primary teacher's course at Lovedale College as her career and profession. Ms Phyllis started working in Soweto schools in 1976. She continued to study and she obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Unisa, Higher Education Diploma (HED) post graduate then she obtained Bachelor of Education from Wits University.

Ms. Phyllis gained wealth of experience as a teacher, principal, lecturer at Soweto College of Education, until she diverted to become a community development pioneer in 1997. She is currently harnessing her skills with a number of programs which she initiated since 2001 namely HIV/Aids, Early Shelter Development - HIV counselling and treatment, Safe Haven Shelter for boys working and living in the streets, Sustainable livelihood.