WELCOME TO THE THRIVE WOMEN’S SUMMIT 2025
Welcome to a space where stories, ideas, and action meet. Where women who build and reimagine their communities come together to spark change.
Across South Africa, women are leading transformation in their homes, workplaces, and neighbourhoods. Today’s Summit celebrates this spirit, bringing together changemakers from diverse sectors to celebrate, connect and co-create pathways to lasting change.
Hosted by Ranyaka Community Transformation in partnership with Nedbank, under the Nedbank Proud of My Town banner, today is more than an event. It’s an invitation to Thrive — to move from shared belief to coordinated action, and from conversation to impact.
Thank you for joining us today. You are the Changemakers. The solutions are in the room.
MEET OUR SPEAKERS
Get to know the women shaping the conversation at the Thrive Women’s Summit.
Programme Director: Dez Jason
SENIOR MANAGER
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Dez Jason is a Senior Manager at the National Department of Social Development, overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of programmes that impact vulnerable communities. With postgraduate qualifications from the Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch, she specialises in gender empowerment and the development of equity policy. A social justice advocate and founder of Bliss Yoga Events, Dez blends her professional expertise with her passion for holistic wellbeing. Formerly on the board of SAMEA, she is dedicated to inclusive, people-centred approaches that ensure no one is left behind.
Sithembiso Malevu
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
RANYAKA
An urban and regional planner by profession, Sithembiso Malevu has more than a decade of experience in development planning. As CEO of Ranyaka, she leads a multidisciplinary team working to build resilient, inclusive communities across South Africa. Skilled in participatory planning methods such as the Sustainable Livelihoods and Asset-Based Community Development approaches, she brings together public and private partners to drive transformation. Sithembiso is passionate about systems thinking, evidence-based design, and co-creating solutions that promote social and spatial justice.
Nina Wellsted
SOCIAL IMPACT UNIT
NEDBANK
With more than two decades at Nedbank, Nina Wellsted has been instrumental in shaping the bank’s sustainability journey. She played a leading role in bringing to life Nedbank’s Proud of My Town programme, a partnership that drives long-term, positive change in communities across South Africa. Nina’s work bridges corporate strategy and grassroots action, championing partnerships that foster resilience and inclusion. Based on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast, she balances her professional purpose with family life and a love of the coastal lifestyle.
Keynote Speaker: Ashrinee Gopi
REGIONAL MANAGER, SMALL BUSINESS & PRIVATE CLIENTS
NEDBANK
As Regional Manager for Nedbank Small Business and Professional Banking in the Western Cape, Ashrinee Gopi brings 30 years of experience in credit risk, client development, and leadership. A trailblazer in a male-dominated industry, she overcame major challenges, including her recovery from lymphoma, to become a motivational speaker for CANSA. Known for her empathy and resilience, Ashrinee mentors women in business and contributes to community initiatives such as SOS Children’s Village, inspiring others to grow through adversity and lead with purpose.
MEET OUR PANELISTS AND FACILITATORS
Lesego Masethe
FACILITATOR
MARKETING DIRECTOR
RANYAKA
A journalism graduate and communications strategist, Lesego Masethe has worked across government, corporate, and non-profit sectors. As founder of Brain Waves Development and Marketing Director at Ranyaka, she uses storytelling to inspire collaboration and social impact. Named among the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans, Lesego is passionate about helping communities find their voice.
PANELIST
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
STELLENBOSCH MUNICIPALITY
A social worker by profession, Funeka Mayembana Hermans serves as Community Development Coordinator at Stellenbosch Municipality. Guided by her faith and a heart of compassion, she believes lasting change begins with partnership and shared purpose. A proud wife, mother, and daughter of Stellenbosch, she is dedicated to strengthening communities from within.
PANELIST
MUSEUM MANAGER
GENADENDAL MISSION MUSEUM
Born and raised in Genadendal, Judith Balie manages South Africa’s oldest mission museum, continuing her father’s legacy of preserving history and community. With studies in Psychology, Biblical Counselling and Education, she combines care for people with love for place – using heritage to foster learning, connection and healing.
PANELIST
FOUNDER
YEYETHU DESIGNER STUDIO
Bulelwa Tito is the founder of Yeyethu Designer Studio, a Kayamandi-based business that blends fashion, sustainability, and community spirit. After discovering her passion for design through a local sewing initiative, she launched Yeyethu in 2018. A recent highlight in her journey was her Bags2Flags initiative, which upcycled disused Stellenbosch University banners into pencil cases and laptop bags. Bulelwa has also been an integral part of the CoCreate Hub journey.
PANELIST
FOUNDER, WAKAMOSO AND
DATA INNOVATION STRATEGIST
Dr Mélani Prinsloo, founder of Wakamoso, builds data systems that make Africa’s invisible communities visible. With a PhD and two decades in participatory research, she champions inclusive, people-centred innovation. Her work connects research, technology and community voice to turn data into real-world social and economic impact.
FACILITATOR
STAKEHOLDER & RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
RANYAKA
Amy Levendal is passionate about people and their growth. With a background in International Relations and Public Relations, she is pursuing a Master’s in Humanitarian Intervention to advance her mission of people-first change. A former Chair of the Stellenbosch Civil Advocacy Network (SCAN), Amy thrives where collaboration meets compassion and has a special calling for trauma-informed, women-led community development.
FACILITATOR
PROGRAMME MANAGER
RANYAKA
Kgautsang is driven by a commitment to reimagining how grassroots innovation, entrepreneurship, and education intersect to unlock community potential, approaching challenges as a systems thinker who connects the dots between people, places, and opportunities. She is skilled in programme design and ideation, creating initiatives that strengthen early childhood development centres, support township entrepreneurs and youth, and build resilient local ecosystems. She holds a BA Honours in Development Studies from the University of South Africa and earned her Leadership in Business certificate through the Mandela Washington Fellowship at Drake University.
MEET THE VOICES THAT INSPIRE
Get to know our artists — remarkable individuals whose voices, words, images and music bring the spirit of THRIVE to life.
Genevieve Zongolo
SPOKEN POET
A multilingual poet and performer, Genevieve Zongolo writes and performs in English, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans. A law graduate, she has performed at events including the Lingua Franca Poetry Festival and InZync Slam, and is a member of the Cypher Poets Collective. Her work explores identity, womanhood, and belonging — inviting audiences into spaces of reflection and truth.
Kwakho Swartbooi
SINGER
At just sixteen, Kwakho Swartbooi from Kayamandi High School in Stellenbosch is already making her mark with a rich, soulful alto voice. A former member of the Cape Choral Academy, Kwakho lives and breathes music. She dreams of studying it professionally, expanding her instrumental range, and using her gift to inspire others through song.
Bradly Cameron
VOCAL ARTIST & ENTREPRENEUR
Originally from Durban, Bradly Cameron is a natural-born performer with a passion for connection. A self-taught singer and multi-instrumentalist, he performs with the Stellenbosch choir Viva Cantare. As co-owner of Playworks, a teambuilding and events company, Bradly brings energy and inspiration to every stage. His faith and love for people drive both his music and his mission to uplift others.
Lizelle Lötter
PHOTOGRAPHER
Lizelle Lötter is a South African photographer known for her calm, engaging presence and versatility. A graduate of the Stellenbosch Academy of Photography and Design, she moves with ease between documentary storytelling, corporate work, family sessions and weddings. Her camera has travelled from farms in the Karoo to boardrooms in Magaliesburg, vineyards in Stellenbosch and medical clinics in Uganda. Guided by curiosity, integrity, and warmth, Lizelle captures honest, human moments. Her work celebrates authenticity, connection, and the beauty of being human.
WHAT’S IN YOUR GOODIE BAG?
Upcycled Goodie Bag & Key Rings
LILLY LOOMPA UPCYCLED GIFTING
Founded by Lizl Naudé in Klapmuts, Lilly Loompa Upcycled Gifting transforms discarded materials into stylish, functional homeware and gifts. Her award-winning designs reflect creativity and sustainability — each piece telling a story of turning waste into beauty and purpose.
Brownies
PRETTI SWEET TREATS*
Faeeza Arnolds, founder of Pretti Sweet Treats in Idas Valley, Stellenbosch, creates beautifully decorated cakes, macarons, and sweet treats. Gentle and passionate about her craft, she has turned her love for baking into a thriving home-based business.
Body Lotion
OPTIMAL BALANCE MOBILE SPA*
Onica Theledi, founder of Optimal Balance Mobile Spa in Mamelodi township, Gauteng, turned a lockdown challenge into a wellness opportunity by taking spa treatments directly to her clients. She now offers massages and her own body care products designed to restore calm and well-being.
Mavusana Rooibos Tea
VUSUMZI “VUSI” MOKOENA*
Vusi Mokoena, founder of Mavusana Rooibos Tea in Stellenbosch, created his brand to celebrate local heritage and bold South African flavour. Inspired by his Kayamandi community, he offers premium teas that honour tradition while empowering others.
Fresh Herbs
HERBAL VIEW HYDROPONICS*
Basil Williams is the owner of Herbal View Hydroponics, growing fresh, organic herbs and salads across Stellenbosch. With over two decades of horticultural experience, he’s turned his passion for plants into a thriving venture producing locally made herb products. Basil believes small businesses are the heartbeat of the economy and that every product should tell a story worth sharing.
Crocheted Plant Pot Covers
THERE IS LIFE HERE
“There is Life Here” is a community initiative founded by Emily Nomajoni Makwena in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch. Through her soup kitchen and creative upcycling projects, Emily supports vulnerable children and youth. She crochets pot plant covers — each symbolising hope and the belief that there is more to life than the challenges we face.
Confectionery
DARLING SWEET
Based in the Western Cape town of Darling, Darling Sweet produces handcrafted confectionery made with traditional methods and high-quality local ingredients. What began as a small kitchen experiment has grown into a beloved South African brand, celebrating heritage and creativity.
Dried Cranberries
COOP
COOP creates opportunities for people who don’t own land to earn income through farming. Its aim is to own and manage well-funded farms with strong infrastructure and sustainable practices. Community groups and small investors can buy shares in these farms, supporting crop cultivation and business growth while earning a share of the profits. (COOP is a collaborative initiative between the Institute for Technology and Society and Ranyaka.)
Strawberry Jam
LYNN GEORGE
Handmade with love in Jamestown by local maker Lynn George. The small-batch strawberry jams in your goodie bag celebrate the area’s rich farming heritage and strong community spirit — a sweet reminder of the people and place that make them possible.
Your Gift
FROM NEDBANK
A small token of appreciation to thank you for joining us at the THRIVE Women’s Summit 2025 — a reminder of the spirit of collaboration and community that drives this movement to create thriving places across South Africa.
*THESE BUSINESSES PARTICIPATED IN THE NEDBANK-FUNDED RANYAKA BUILDING BUSINESS PROGRAMME.
A CELEBRATION OF CHANGEMAKERS
These images honour the spirit of women encountered along Ranyaka’s journey across South Africa over the past decade. Photographer Lizelle Lötter has a rare gift for bringing out laughter, light and authenticity — quietly portraying the real, everyday strength of the extraordinary women she photographs. Each portrait offers a glimpse into countless stories of resilience and change still unfolding across our country.
MAMELODI 2020
KANYAMAZANE 2021
KAYAMANDI 2021
PACALTSDORP 2024
ZWIDE 2021
MAMELODI 2022
KAYAMANDI 2020
MAGALIESBURG 2020
PAARL 2025
KLAPMUTS 2019
WOMAN
You who nurture, protect, pray, and build.
You who hold families, streets, and dreams together.
You who notice what is broken and set about mending it — with courage, compassion, and quiet strength.
It is our privilege to walk this journey with you, and with women like you across our country. Those who feed the vulnerable, plant gardens, and open safe spaces for others to heal.
Together, we speak about the things that matter: health, safety, dignity, and hope. We explore bold business ideas and help turn side hustles into livelihoods. We learn from those who teach — the women who pour heart and soul into building the next generation.
We love sharing your stories. Our shared stories. We’re stronger together, journeying as fellow changemakers who lift others as we rise.
Because of you, and with you, places come alive.
When women thrive, communities do too.
Thank you to our sponsor and donors who made today possible.
EVENT SPONSOR
NEDBANK
DONATIONS AND IN-KIND SUPPORT
VAL DE VIE FOUNDATION
DARLING SWEET
