Danelia grew up in Matatiele, a flower rich area at the foot of the Drakensberg. She completed a B.Sc degree (University of Natal Pmb) and a teaching diploma (University of Stellenbosch) and enjoyed a career of teaching biology. On retiring she started art classes with Ann Harris-Deppe who opened the world of botanical art for her.
Danelia has attended courses with Gillian Condy, Elsa Pooley, Vicki Thomas and Jenny Phillips. She participated in the Plant exhibition at Kirstenbosch in 2016, Morningside exhibitions and the Botanical Art Worldwide exhibition in 2018. Painting plants brings her a deeper understanding of their complexity and detail.