WE HARNESS THE POWER OF COLLABORATION AND ACTIVE CITIZENRY TO CO-CREATE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL ECONOMIES.
Ranyaka Community Transformation is an urban planning non-profit company and development agency. Since 2013, we’ve used a collaborative framework to guide this journey. This framework is called THRIVE.
THRIVE was born from the conviction that we need a different approach: one that puts people, place, and collaborative partnerships at the centre of transformation.
We are currently (2025) working in 38 communities in 15 towns in 8 provinces across South Africa – implementing, amongst other programmes, 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.
Truly proud of Mankweng
Three years ago, our team embarked on a journey with the community of Mankweng, Polokwane. To envision a brighter future and together, work to implement practical projects that would improve the quality of life of Mankweng’s residents.Earlier this month (April 2022),...
Spreading our wings in Polokwane
Transforming communities is not a solo expedition. It takes a team, a shared vision and a willingness to collaborate. In Polokwane, we are excited about the buy-in from community members and local stakeholders – the real drivers of change on the ground.Earlier this...
When life gives you tomatoes, make hot sauce!
Two tonnes of tomatoes land on your doorstep. What do you do? This isn’t a riddle. This is what happened in March 2022 in Magaliesburg when a Men’s Forum meeting at the Nedbank-funded community activation hub received a generous donation of mixed-grade tomatoes from...
Reimagining our places
How do you feel when you walk down the street where you live? Inspired? Welcomed? Safe? Or perhaps you feel gloomy and anxious? Maybe you haven’t even really thought about this. What about your business areas, schools, parks or pieces of open land? It’s simple,...
Growing for green
A wise horticulturalist once said: “A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all, it teaches entire trust.” The children at Licebo Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre in Umlazi township in...
Greenbacks give back
Did you know that for the past two and a half years, the Nedbank Greenbacks Programme has been making it possible for clients to support community development in South Africa – and it still is! This means that if you are a Nedbank client who has joined the Greenbacks...
Sweet success
“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I built my life." These words by a famous author also ring true for Zinhle Maphanga, one of thousands of small business owners whose business was looted in July 2021.Zinhle employed a team of two at her sweet shop,...
Come rain or shine, soccer wins the day!
This past December saw 16 football clubs and four netball teams participate in the four-day 2021 Sammy Seabi Football tournament in Polokwane. Even scorching heat, rain and wind could not deter the passionate players and a cheering crowd of over 1,000 spectators....
Every day a highlight
The salon space at the CoCreate Hub in Stellenbosch is warm and welcoming as I sit down to chat to Phelisa Bekwa of Phel’s Hair and Beauty. Hailing from King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape, Phelisa has called Kayamandi, Stellenbosch home for the past 10 years....
Traditional flavour with a Thabo twist
When you sit down to talk to Thabo “Thabs” Bekwa about his business, Indalo Street Food, you know straight away that this a man who is excited about the food industry. We sat down to chat at the Stellenbosch CoCreate Hub, where Thabo is preparing and serving his...
Growing the future
When two minds think alike, great things happen. Mlondolozi “Mlo” Mnxeba and Simlindile “Simli” Patekile are two such minds, and their business, Inveli Farms (formerly S and M Eco Farming) was born out of such an alignment. Inveli Farms is a small enterprise that...
A vision of growth
When you talk to Basil Williams, it is immediately apparent that he is a man who knows his stuff. The owner of Herbal View Hydroponics has over 21 years of experience in horticulture and agriculture and prides himself on his range of naturally grown and organic herbs...
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.