WE HARNESS THE POWER OF COLLABORATION AND ACTIVE CITIZENRY TO CO-CREATE THRIVING COMMUNITIES.
Ranyaka was established as a non-profit, urban planning consultancy in 2013 to develop transformative strategies for towns and neighbourhoods. We work hand-in-hand with residents, civil society entities, faith-based institutions, business, all levels of government, academic institutions and local change agents to co-create places where people can prosper – in every sense of the word. We are currently (2024) working in 33 communities in 15 towns in 8 provinces across South Africa – implementing the Nedbank Proud of my Town initiative.
WE WORK WITH
PLACES
Our approach is place-based and systemic. People-centered spatial planning and multi-sectoral integration are key to community well-being. Our objective is to create healthy eco-systems that lay a foundation for optimal development.
A TRANSFORMED PLACE HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM LIVES.
WE WORK WITH
PEOPLE
We work with local stakeholders, strengthening change agents, facilitating cross-sectoral collaboration and integrating citizen-led initiatives into the over-arching strategy for the area. Our objective is collective, as opposed to isolated impact.
THROUGH COLLABORATION, WE TACKLE WHAT IS WRONG AND UNLOCK WHAT IS STRONG.
WE WORK WITH
PIONEERING INVESTORS
We develop smarter ways of investing in societal transformation. Our objective is sustainability, real impact and maximum return on investment. Nedbank’s Proud of my Town initiative is a prime example of smart investment in action.
SMART INVESTMENT LOOKS BEYOND ISOLATED INTERVENTIONS.
Spotting a gap in the market
"I noticed that dirty bins were making people sick." Kayamandi-based entrepreneur, Phuti Mbothane, spotted a gap in the market when he realised how litter and unsanitary dustbins were contributing to illness in his community. Today, his bin cleaning business makes a...
Building local entrepreneurs
Fifteen entrepreneurs are participating in a five-day intensive Ranyaka Enterprise Development Academy that kicked off this morning in Stellenbosch. The academy is facilitated by entrepreneurship specialists, Labit - a for-profit Business Incubator that is focused on...
Not just paint
For Lillies Day Care Centre in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, the year kicks off with a fresh coat of paint. But not just any paint. This special fire-retardant (intumescent) paint will delay the rate at which flames spread, should a fire break out at the wooden structure...
Creativity meets entrepreneurial spirit
A splash of colour, creative energy and broad smiles greet visitors to Yeyethu Designer Studio - a fashion studio based in the Kuyasa community centre in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch. We had the privilege of meeting the dynamic duo behind the studio at the product showcase...
Supporting local entrepreneurs
Twenty five entrepreneurs participated in Friday's product showcase held in Stellenbosch. From catering to construction, transport to technology, bin cleaning to braai wood; and logistics to garden services, the scope of services on offer and entrepreneurial drive of...
A safer crèche for the children of Kinder Joy
The painting of wooden structures at Early Childhood Development centres with intumescent (fire retardant) paint is critical to help keep our children safe. Nedbank's Proud of my Town programme is making it possible for wooden structures at crèches in Paarl and...
Magaliesburg stakeholder workshop
Community members and stakeholders made their voices heard at today's year-end workshop in Magaliesburg, Gauteng - reflecting on progress made to date and taking a look at the way forward. Thank you to Ryan, Salomien and their formidable team for all your help with...
Investing in a safer Jamestown
Neighbourhood watch groups have proven to be highly effective in reducing crime rates in communities. On Friday, Ranyaka handed over reflective vests and torches to the Jamestown Neighbourhood Watch to assist them in this important task. Deputy-chairperson, Burton...
Jamestown Strawberry Festival 2018
Jamestown has a rich heritage and everyone who visited the Jamestown Strawberry Festival on Saturday, had something they were proud of in their respective towns. How encouraging to see this sense of pride in our towns and communities. The Jamestown Strawberry Festival...
Celebrating change agents | Fagma Swart
Congratulations to the principal of Klapmuts Junior Academy, Fagma Swart! Fagma has been recognised as the practitioner with the highest number of active days amongst The Reach Trust's sample group in Klapmuts. She makes use of free-to-use literacy apps developed by...
Ranyaka’s Marli Goussard appointed to Stellenbosch University Institutional Forum
Representing the voice of civil society, Ranyaka's Marli Goussard is one of the new members of the Stellenbosch University Institutional Forum, one of the university's three statutory bodies. The induction of new members took place in Stellenbosch today. Marli is...
Tackling transformation in Lantana
“You can’t clean only the part of the pool you’re swimming in.” – New York Times This sentence captures the essence of our approach to community transformation. We need to tackle the broader structures and systems that shape living together with communities and local...
ABOUT US
In 1996, two young town planners from very different backgrounds reported for duty at a local municipality in Gauteng. Only two years had passed since the dawn of democracy in South Africa.
WHAT WE DO
Ranyaka works hand-in-hand with communities, local stakeholders, all levels of government and investors to develop and implement transformation strategies for towns and communities.
WHERE WE WORK
By mid-2020, Ranyaka will be working in 13 towns and neighbourhoods in 9 towns across seven provinces throughout South Africa. We focus mainly, but not exclusively, on under-resourced communities.