We bid farewell to Superstar, Tacia Roux
I still remember standing in one of the starting blocks of the 2014 Argus Cycle Tour in Cape Town, speaking to a very wise man, Werner Lubbe. He said to me, “If you ever want D4D to grow, you will have to appoint people.”
In 2015, after more than 10 years of running Distance For Difference (D4D) on my own after-hours, often at the cost of my family time, I made the decision to make our first and, up to now, our only appointment. Tacia Roux, my sister-in-law, joined us in June of that year in a half-day role. It remains one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Photo: Tacia, far right, at one of the many special money handovers over the years.
From day one, Tacia was outstanding. Her ability to organise, communicate, and keep multiple moving parts working in harmony made it possible for D4D to begin presenting our own fundraising events sustainably. She was thrown into the deep end when she helped organise only our second THE500 24-hr Cycling and Spinning Challenge at the Lord Charles Hotel that same year. It was a tremendous success. We raised R550,000!
The very next year, she helped us launch our very first GRATITUDE Run. Over the next decade, her impact was remarkable:
- 6 × THE500 events → R3.6 million raised
- 5 × GRATITUDE Runs → R800,000 raised
- Helped to establish the Swim4Hope and Hike with Purpose as new fundraising pillars
But the real gift she brought was not just organisation, it was heart. She formed deep and meaningful relationships with our beneficiaries, sponsors, volunteers, and partners. Those have connections built trust, warmth, and continuity. That is what will be missed most.
After 10 years and 5 months, Tacia has taken the difficult decision to return to a full-time position in the fruit export industry, a field she knows well. Her departure at the end of November 2025, is a significant loss to the D4D family, and I know many of you who have worked with her will agree.
True to who she is, she is currently working full days to ensure a smooth and complete handover. Typical Tacia.
I have often said (half jokingly, half not!) that I would close D4D the day Tacia leaves. And yes, I did consider that for a moment. But then I thought of the more than 60 children’s organisations we have supported over the years and the many children who depend on our help today.
D4D will continue. We remain committed to inspiring, motivating, and impacting the lives of vulnerable children. The D4D Board will be meeting soon to ensure a transition that will maintain stability and service to our beneficiaries.
This is indeed a sad moment in time for us, but also a moment to honour, appreciate, and celebrate a remarkable contribution.
Tacia, on behalf of every beneficiary, volunteer, partner, sponsor, and friend of D4D:
Thank you.
Thank you for your commitment, your care, your excellence, your patience, your creativity, your late nights, your heart, and your friendship. May you continue to add value and shine your light wherever you go.
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24–26
We love you lots, like Jelly Tots.
With gratitude and love,
Stéphan… on behalf of everyone at D4D
12 November 2025