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.
Where legends are made – the story of André Segals
Walking into Legends Barber and Academy, one can immediately tell that André ‘Ani’ Segals takes great pride in providing quality service. Situated at Stone Square at Welgevonden, Stellenbosch this men’s grooming space is just as welcoming as its owner with the spicy...
Creating opportunities and turning them into profit
"I kid you not, I knew I was something special when at just six years, I announced in front of my whole family that I was going to be a breadwinner," chuckles Samuel Moobeng, one of most diverse entrepreneurs in Mamelodi. His business, Moobeng Trading and Projects...
CoCreate Hub – nurturing entrepreneurship in Stellenbosch
For many years, the old clinic at 7 Victoria Street, Stellenbosch nurtured the physical health of local communities. In July this year, the historical clinic will once again open its doors – this time, as a unique space that will open the doors to economic inclusivity...
Why aren’t we doing enough?
This is the question that was asked during a gender-based violence (GBV) round table discussion held at Ebukhosini Training Centre in Mamelodi township in Tshwane, Gauteng on 30 April 2021. The majority of the group were men. This scene played out in an...
Join online – build on the ground
Introducing the Proud of our Towns Facebook Groups “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success.”The world of social media did not yet exist when Henry Ford spoke these wise words. But many decades later, they still...
Let us bring restoration
“We all need a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity.” – Earthday.Org Every year, 22 April is observed as Earth Day across the globe. This year, Earthday.Org’s theme...
The power that lies beneath my trauma
"For us, this is about letting young girls know the power they possess within themselves to change the narrative, to grow mentally, find balance psychologically and to physically be able to protect themselves against anything that threatens their existence, anything...
Building a dream – one brick at a time
It is difficult to imagine anyone starting a business amidst a pandemic and to say that 2020 was filled with numerous twists, turns and uncertainties, would be an understatement. So, imagine starting a business during this time – and not just any business, but a...
Proud of my Town kicks off in Umlazi
During the last week of March 2021, the Nedbank Proud of my Town (PoMT) programme kicked off in Umlazi township in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. This brings the number of communities across the country where the programme is currently being implemented to fifteen. PoMT...
When life hands you dirt, plant seeds
A community's quest to achieving sustainable development through regenerative agriculture. "Achieving food security is a major priority in our village and through initiatives such as the greenhouse project, we are well on our way to achieving that goal." These are the...
Introducing Ikayalabantu FM | Home of the People
Conversations with Thando Dyantyi, Sinesipo Sibuta and Odwa Nomavuka As a young South African filmmaker, Thando Dyantyi’s strongest desire has been to tell the life-changing stories of people in his community and around his country. These stories are for everyone to...
It’s not enough to be compassionate, we must build
The unfolding story of Gugu Makhubu "I knew this is who I was going to become. This is me. I love helping people. I want people to become better versions of themselves. I want them to reach greater heights, do more and be more,” says Gugu Makhubu, Founder of Vuguma...
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.