Thrive Summit | Ranyaka

JOIN US ON THE THRIVE JOURNEY

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.

A CELEBRATION OF CHANGEMAKERS

The images around the room 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 | PALESA IS A DYNAMIC YOUNG CHANGEMAKER WHO TOOK US ON OUR VERY FIRST PHOTO JOURNEY THROUGH MAMELODI TOWNSHIP, GAUTENG

KANYAMAZANE, NELSPRUIT | SPORT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER. IN 2021, THROUGH THE NEDBANK-FUNDED PROUD OF MY TOWN PROGRAMME, WE WERE ABLE TO DONATE SPORTING EQUIPMENT TO LOCAL HOCKEY AND NETBALL TEAMS. A UNIFORM AND KIT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE! 2021

KAYAMANDI | BULELWA TITO, FASHION DESIGNER AND ENTREPRENEUR, HAS BEEN PART OF THE RANYAKA JOURNEY SINCE 2018. BULELWA PARTICIPATED IN THE BUILDING BUSINESS PROGRAMME, CUT THE RIBBON AT THE OPENING OF THE COCREATE HUB, AND IS NOW PART OF THE COCREATE SEWING COLLECTIVE. HER INNOVATIVE REPURPOSING OF UNIVERSITY FLAGS INTO BAGS HAVE MADE NEWS HEADLINES. WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO CONNECT BULELWA WITH EVEN MORE OPPORTUNITIES AND UNLOCK RESOURCES FOR HER WONDERFUL BUSINESS. | 2021

PACALTSDORP 2024

ZWIDE, EASTERN CAPE | WE MEET WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND COLOURFUL CHARACTERS WHEREVER WE GO. THERE IS SO MUCH HOPE, JOY, ENERGY AND POSITIVITY IN SOUTH AFRICA, DESPITE OUR CHALLENGES. LIZELLE MET THIS VIBRANT LADY ON THE ROADSIDE DURING A PROJECT PHOTO TRIP TO THE EASTERN CAPE. SHE GRACIOUSLY ALLOWED US TO INCLUDE HER IN OUR PHOTO STORY! | 2021

About 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.

MAMELODI 2022

KAYAMANDI, STELLENBOSCH | ASIPHE COSA, PLUMBER BY TRADE, HAS BEEN PART OF THE RANYAKA FAMILY FOR YEARS. SHE WORKED WITH US ON THE COCREATE HUB PROJECT, AS A LOCAL COORDINATOR DURING MANY MONTHS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION AS PART OF COVID DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS WHERE WE COLLABORATED WITH STELLENBOSCH UNITE, AND STILL TODAY, AS A KEY STAKEHOLDER IN KAYAMANDI. AND A GOOD FRIEND. | 2020

MAGALIESBURG | TALENTED HANDS, BELONGING TO THE BEAUTIFUL WIFE OF ENTREPRENEUR, JAMES, IN THE TOWN OF MAGALIESBURG, GAUTENG. LIZELLE CAPTURED THIS MOMENT WHEN WE VISITED JAMES’ WORKSHOP MANY YEARS AGO. HER BEAUTIFUL PRODUCTS DESERVE TO BE SHOWCASED ON BROADER PLATFORMS. WE ENCOUNTER SO MANY CREATIVES AND ENTREPRENEURS WHO NEED ACCESS TO MARKET. OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOWCASE THEIR WORK. | 2020

PAARL | A GROUP OF WOMEN RECEIVED EYE TESTS AND THEIR VERY FIRST SPECTACLES THANKS TO THE VAL DE VIE FOUNDATION. THIS FORMED PART OF A WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PROJECT THAT RANYAKA FACILITATED, FUNDED BY THE FOUNDATION. 2025

KLAPMUTS | EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PROGRAMMES WE EMBARKED UPON WHEN WE ARRIVED IN THE WESTERN CAPE. WE HAD THE JOY OF WORKING WITH 60 ECD CENTRES IN PAARL AND STELLENBOSCH – PAINTING, DONATING FIRST AID AND FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT, PROVIDING TRAINING IN FIRST AID, HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND NUTRITION, AND ASSISTING ECD CENTRES WITH THEIR COMPLIANCE AND REGISTRATION – ALL THANKS TO FUNDING BY NEDBANK THROUGH THEIR PROUD OF MY TOWN PROGRAMME. OUR ECD PROGRAMME EXPANDED TO OTHER PROVINCES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE OUR WORK WITH ECD CENTRES IN THE WESTERN CAPE AND ARE SEEKING SPECIFIC SUPPORT TO DO SO. | 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.