FIX YOUR SPACE
“Because place has such power to shape, we must be mindful of how we shape our places.” These words by Doug Sikkema emphasise the importance of creating and maintaining physical environments that contribute to our physical, mental, emotional, as well as social well-being.
As an urban planning enterprise, Ranyaka is passionate about implementing place-making projects that give communities a sense of place where they can celebrate local culture. Rapid repair projects or tactical urbanism, as these interventions are known, are all about creating safe and inclusive physical spaces where people can prosper – in every sense of the word.
These projects could include anything from cleaning a park, painting a feature wall, putting up a new fence, creating a community sidewalk garden or placing creative seating in a communal area where residents can gather. Fix Your Space projects build community pride, encourage social cohesion and a sense of local ownership and can even reduce crime. Because clean, safe spaces change the investment sentiment around an area, these projects could also create opportunities for investment by or contributions from local businesses.
Pacaltsdorp – What two years have taught us about community, partnership and possibility
Across South Africa, towns face complex challenges: unemployment, unsafe public spaces, limited economic opportunities and fractured local ecosystems. And yet in every community, there are people, ideas and pockets of potential that simply need the right conditions to...
Mangaung: Breathing new life into Bloemfontein’s inner city
Since its launch on 14 November 2024, the St George’s Precinct Plan in Mangaung has blossomed into a bold, city-wide vision: the Bloemfontein CBD Regeneration Programme. What began as a focused effort to refresh a single precinct has inspired something much bigger,...
Klapmuts – a journey of partnership, progress and possibility
A small gathering at a school library in early 2016 marked the beginning of Ranyaka's journey in the community of Klapmuts. Fifteen residents and stakeholders met to discuss a shared vision for the area, laying the groundwork for future planning and development. This...
Paintball with a purpose: The Ghost Paintball story
What began as a non-profit initiative to give survivors of gender-based violence a functional way to release their stress and anger has evolved into a thriving paintball business for Martin Mokapala, founder of Ghost Paintball in Mamelodi. From humble beginnings as a...
Fixing spaces, inspiring futures: Transforming Early Childhood Development centres
I remember a particular day when I walked into our local hardware store with my youngest son at my side. He was 11 years old at the time. Hardware stores have that distinctive smell – a mixture of paint, chemicals, wood and cement. I commented on it and my son,...
Standing with survivors
Victims of sensitive crimes are often left feeling helpless, isolated and vulnerable. In many cases, the process of reporting these crimes to the authorities can exacerbate these feelings, especially in environments that are not conducive to comfort and...





