Born in Cape Town in 1983, Meridian Berndt was raised in a family of artists, activists and storytellers. After receiving her degree in environmental science and anthropology from UCT, she left the city to live in wild places, seeking harmony with the natural world. This journey led her to study African traditional medicine through a renowned lineage of teachers.
In 2024, her first four children’s books were published in partnership with the Zeitz MOCAA BMW Centre for Art Education. This series – And So the Stories Ran Away – brings African folktales to life and showcases the work of illustrators from the continent. This year, 2026, the series has grown with Nkanyamba, Why Fire and Water are Enemies and One World One Family.
