WE CO-CREATE STRONGER PLACES AND THRIVING ECONOMIES.
Ranyaka is a South African non-profit organisation and professional Place-Based Practice working with communities, businesses, municipalities, funders and other partners to strengthen the places where people live, learn, work and do business.
Developed over more than a decade of on-the-ground practice, our THRIVE Framework grew from the conviction that lasting transformation requires a different approach: one that puts people, place and collaborative partnerships at the centre. The four pillars of THRIVE, Clubs, Hubs, Networks and a shared Platform, are some of the key mechanisms through which the framework takes shape in practice.
We bring people, knowledge, investment and practical solutions together to strengthen the economic, social and environmental conditions that help places become more productive, resilient and regenerative.
By the end of 2025, our work had reached 38 communities across 15 towns in 8 provinces in South Africa. This includes our role as national implementation agent for the Nedbank-funded Proud of My Town programme.
WE WORK WITH
PLACES
The place is our starting point.
No two places are the same. Every community has its own relationships, assets, businesses, institutions, challenges and opportunities.
We start by understanding the place – bringing together different disciplines, partners and resources around one shared purpose:
HELPING A PLACE FUNCTION BETTER,
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 which is a prime example of Ranyaka’s place-based framework and smart investment in action.
SMART INVESTMENT LOOKS BEYOND ISOLATED INTERVENTIONS.
Thirsty for success: the story of Dinah Setati
Dinah Setati has always had a good head for business. She paid her own school fees by providing a hairdressing service to local community members and, after working in retail for a while after matriculating, decided to pursue her true calling. Dinah founded Deelera...
Illuminating futures: Marry Chauke’s solar revolution
Growing up in Soshanguve, a place with many challenges, ignited Marry Chauke's passion for business. Raised by a strong single mother, she understood the struggles of living without electricity. Her goal is to give her community a brighter future, where a lack of...
Sweat equity: the entrepreneurial journey of Fit Muntuza
When Constance Kubheka embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, she was fuelled by a mission close to her heart. As a fitness professional, she understands the importance of regular exercise and is working to promote fun fitness activities to her community in Mamelodi...
When creative sparks fly: the story of Nkanyiso Nyuswa
When Nkanyiso Nyuswa was growing up, he dreamt of becoming an electrician. But dreams don’t always come true – and sometimes that’s a good thing. The stories of so many successful business owners teach us that when our life journeys demand a U-turn, things might turn...
From idea to impact: Lindiwe’s quest for clean water
Lindiwe Masango knows what it is like to live without access to clean drinking water. Living in Mamelodi township in the province of Gauteng, this is a reality for many residents. After working in the corporate world for over a decade, Lindiwe Masango was more than...
Fuelling success: the Ntanto Gas journey
The journey of Ntanto Gas started in December 2016 when Mzomuhle Mzimela started a business to leave a legacy for his family. When he passed away in 2019, his daughter, Zama, stepped in to ensure that her father’s dream lived on.For Zama, this was about more than...
Where tea, taste and tradition meet: the Mavusana story
Born and raised in Stellenbosch, Vusi Mokoena is the youngest of five children. In his community, Rooibos tea is not just a beverage; it is a beloved tradition passed down from generation to generation, from his grandmother to his mother, and now to Vusi.Vusi's...
From job loss to mobile spa success: Onicah Theledi’s inspiring journey
Three years ago, Onicah Theledi began a new journey as an entrepreneur by turning her love for wellness into a business. The story of Optimal Balance Mobile Spa speaks of resilience, commitment, and a strong desire to heal.Onicah was a massage therapist and...
A word from our CEO
In navigating the tumultuous landscape of South Africa, both politically and socio-economically, we acknowledge the prevailing sentiment of uncertainty about the country's future. However, at Ranyaka, we consciously opt for an alternative outlook; not from naivety,...
Co-creating safer communities
A small group of unarmed women patrol the streets of a neighbourhood where the sound of gunshots rings out at night. A team gathers in the make-shift corrugated iron structure that is home to the ‘boardroom’ where they plan both safety and sports activities for their...
Reliving Mamelodi’s glory days
“I am 78 years old. Today, I felt 25.” We just love the way in which these words by a distinguished gentleman from Mamelodi, Gauteng, captured the spirit of the very first Van Toeka Af Festival held in the township on Saturday, 11 November 2023. The festival set the...
Creating a safer Mamelodi
Community safety is a crucial concern in neighbourhoods across South Africa. Tackling the challenge requires a proactive approach – including the training and equipping of residents to actively engage in their own safety initiatives. Empowering individuals not only...
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.