Malikolo, as she was fondly known and called ‘Kolo’, was born to a father who was a Reformed Church priest, Reverend Dr. S. S, Tema, and mother who was a school teacher, Tebogo Fidelia Tema (née Moshoeshoe). She was the second of four of the Tema children...Mopeli; Malikolo; Oupa and Mamalema. She grew up in Orlando East, where she was born, and went on to high school in Hofmeyer High School in Atteridgeville. She finished her high school at Kilnerton College. Thereafter she went on to study Social Work at the University of Limpopo, or Turfloop, earlier named University of the North. She went on to practice at various places, starting in the Johannesburg City Council, mainly in the black areas under the then West Rand Administration Board, that primarily serviced the south western townships, Soweto in short. She had three children, son Tsepe, daughter Tebogo snd last born son Tshidiso. During her life she immersed herself in service of her community and mentored many a young social worker and other youth to become educated and become better persons. She also became a pioneer and founding member of the Child Minders’ Association. She also worked for the Urban Foundation  and later Manfred and Associates, a public relations firm. She later joined the South African National Drug and Alcohol Abuse Association, SANCA in short. Here she excelled and opened several centers throughout the country and mobilized resources for the Organisation. Malikolo has during her earlier life received scholarship abroad, amongst them University of Birmingham, earlier in the United States of America at Ohio University in Cleveland, Ohio. This was in 1977 and she returned to South Africa a year later. Her passion for continued self development led her to enrol for yet another degreee (Social Work Honours) at the then University of Bophuthatswana, UNIBO, now University of the North West, in Mahikeng. She later on received another scholarship to study at Johns Hopkins University in the USA, excelling in her studies on substance abuse and addiction, as well as curative care. She also got awarded the Honorary Citizenship of the City of Baltimore...”in recognition of distinguished achievements and eminent contributions to the life of our times”. 
One of her proud moments was to serve in the executive of the South African Black Social Workers’ AssocUstinov, SABSWA. Throughout her life she took every assignment given to her head on with gusto and commitment, resulting in her assuming leadership positions. She also travelled extensively throughout the country, Southern Africa and the world throughout her life.
Malikolo returned to the RSA and continued work as a social worker. She was unfortunately befallen by a stroke in 1991 and again in 1992, thereby rendering her unable to continue work as she needed extensive rehabilitation. After almost two years she managed to start some light projects, working with the then Permanent Bank. After a short stint she stopped work altogether and reduced her level of community activism. She passed away on the 09th December 2009. She is survived by her three children, and nine grand children - Thando; Phethagatso; Thato; Tshepang; Thabo; Lesedi; Lwazi; Omphemetse and Tsepe Jnr