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This TTPod episode is a perfect example of the kind of conversation we want to amplify on this platform. I'm joined online from Tshwane by Tunisia Cassim, recently recognised as one of the South African Council for Planners’ Top 30 Women in Planning for 2025. Tunisia’s journey is truly inspiring and reflective of many of the challenges young planners face. She shares her early days navigating bursaries and retrenchments, to the resilience and perseverance needed during the COVID-era, JUST when her career was changing gears. And more recently we share in the celebration of her recently completed Master of Science in Planning at Wits. Her story is about more than professional milestones—it’s about resilience, mentorship, and the passion to connect theory with practice in the planning profession.  She is a tireless champion and emerging mentor for young planners through her widely followed LinkedIn journal, Journey of a Candidate Town Planner. Tunisia reflects on the giants who shaped her path, the importance of bursaries and supportive educators, and the realities of building a career in a shifting urban landscape. Her reflections on resilience, mentorship, and the intersection of theory and practice remind us why these conversations matter. So settle in as we explore the lessons, challenges, and triumphs of a planner whose voice is helping redefine the future of the profession in South Africa. Recorded: Friday 12th December 2025

In this TTPod episode we’re catching up with someone who’s become a real friend of the podcast and a standout leader in South Africa’s public sector: Yolisa Kani. She’s back with me in Cape Town, bringing her trademark energy and a wealth of experience from both government and the private sector.   If you’ve followed Yolisa’s journey, you’ll know she’s spent decades at the forefront of transformation—blending policy, stakeholder negotiation, and commercial leadership to drive real change in how people and goods move across the country.   After a four-year stint leading public policy for Uber in Southern Africa she re-entered the public sector, taking on the pivotal role of Chief Business Development Officer at Transnet.   In this episode she reflects on:   * The launch of LeaseCo, which aims to mobilize rolling stock, invite third-party operators, and free up strategic assets for broader development.   * The cultural and leadership shifts happening within Transnet—and what that means for customers, cities, and the economy over the next 12 to 36 months.   * Practical steps being taken to turn surplus Transnet property into real urban opportunities, and how the company is responding to calls for more flexible, mixed-use developments near transport nodes.   We conclude with Yolisa’s candid reflections on the challenges ahead, the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors, and the milestones set for the coming year—including the ambitious targets for LeaseCo and the broader reforms designed to get more freight off the roads and onto rail.   So, settle in for a conversation that’s as insightful as it is inspiring. As always, we hope you enjoy the episode.   Recorded 20th October 2025

Welcome back to the Talking Transformation Podcast! We'redelighted to welcome back Tanya Zack, a renowned urban planner and author, joining us from Johannesburg.   Tanya first graced our podcast in February 2023 when shediscussed her book "Wake Up, This is Joburg!", a fascinatingexploration of inner-city Johannesburg urban landscape and the vibrant communities operating within that space.   In this episode, Tanya is here to talk about her latestbook, "The Chaos Precinct", set in the so-called, 'Ethiopian Quarter' in the inner city of Johannesburg, a vibrant area known for its cross-border shopping. This precinct, pioneered by Ethiopian migrants, has transformed theCBD’s office towers into bustling shopping centers filled with small, cupboard-sized shops.   These shops, which sell fast fashion, have repurposed whatwere once medical buildings into a thriving commercial hub. The book delves into the dynamic and ever-evolving urban spaces of Johannesburg, offering deep insights into the lives of the people who live and work there. It explores theeconomic potential of this area and the challenges faced by its inhabitants, providing a compelling narrative of transformation and resilience, policing and governance: identity and belonging.   This is the second book Tanya has discussed on the TalkingTransformation podcast, and we couldn't be more excited to hear about her latest work.   "The Chaos Precinct" promises to be another compelling read, offering deep insights into the dynamic and ever-evolving urban spaces of Johannesburg.   For those of you watching this via YouTube, you’ll also getto see some of the images included in the book, celebrating another collaboration with photographer Mark Lewis, our co-guest back in 2023 when we first discussed Joburg with Tanya.  Orders for "The Chaos Precinct", published byJacana Media, can be made via: https://jacana.co.za/product/the-chaos-precinct-johannesburg-as-a-port-city/ Email the Talking Transformation Podcast [email protected]   Find us on Bluse Sky @TTpod   Recorded: 17th July 2025

It's been a busy couple of months behind the scenes of the Talking Transformation podcast. I've been eager to introduce a visual element to the podcast to highlight some of the rich visual imagery and products highlighted by our guests. This has involved a lot of upskilling and learning on my part to ensure that what we produce is both fit for purpose and adds value to our listeners (soon to be listeners AND viewers!). So, here it is, Series 5, Episode 1, and the first visual introduction to the TTPod’s first dual-medium podcast, featuring an interview with Wakamoso’s Dr. Melani Prinsloo and Mike Mathews. This conversation is sure to inspire those who work with communities and data alike. We discuss how to harness the potential of communities and develop value and networks from their own data and information and starting to use that data commons to improve the understanding and the data available and strengthen the networks and value within that community. I hope you'll enjoy the episode and the medium. If we’ve earned your subscription please do like, share and subscribe. Most importantly, enjoy the conversation and insights from Melani and Mike! Find us on BlueSky via @TTpodThe audio version will still be available via all the usual podcast platforms including Apple, Spotify and Deezer. For more information on Wakamoso - check out their excellent website via https://www.wakamoso.africa/ Recorded May 1st 2025

We follow up from our introductory episode with a second podcast episode featuring the planners who have worked as the head of the City of Johannesburg's Metro Planning unit 2000: Johan Olivier, Pete Ahmad, Nkateko Shipalana, Thandeka Mlaza-Lloyd and Minenhle Maphumulo. These guests represent a straight line of succession from the inception of the metro in 2000. Their availability and willingness to share their experiences presents a unique opportunity to go deep into the themes and aspects of metro scale planning. In this episode we consider some of the processes and plans that have become fundamentals of Johannesburg’s post-2000 planning frameworks and the rationale at that metropolitan scale. We reflect on some of the matters and metrics that kept us up at night and touch on the tricky tightrope officials walk: trying, on the one hand to balance political imperatives and needs with sound planning norms and overarching regulatory requirements on the other. There are stories of hope and disappointment and many lessons to reflect on. It's another engaging conversation and will be of interest to built environment professionals, young and old. Regrettably, Dylan Weakley was unable to join us for this episode but we are looking forward to him rejoining the fold in the next conversation where we hope to deal with matters of spatial targeting, prioritisation and aligning the spatial plans to budgets.  Recorded 15th October 2024

After a period of downtime on the TTPod recording front, we return with this first episode of a miniseries contemplating the metropolitan scale planning challenges and approaches adopted in the City of Johannesburg since 2000. This first introductory episode acts as an introductory episode, introducing six of us: professional planners who have held the title of Assistant Director: Metroplitan Planning since the City was constituted in 2000. Colleagues Johan Olivier, Peter Ahmad, Nkateko Shiplana, Dylan Weakley, Minenhle Maphumulo and Thandeka Mlaza-Lloyd each take a turn in introducing themselves and reflect on dominant themes and challenges they faced over two and half decades of metro planning. It was a really special recording, and I'm looking forward to unpacking some of the key themes and issues with colleagues in future episodes. For now, enjoy the stories and handovers that, in some small way, have contributed to the thinking and progress made in the City's metropolitan landscape since 2000. Recorded 1st October 2024

The small-scale rental sector continues to gain momentum and prominence in discussions about city building and the required funding and infrastructure requirements to support this emerging property market, It’s also become a recurring theme on the Talking Transformation Podcast. uMaStandi has been working in this space since 2018 and continue to render financial services for emerging developers providing rental accommodation. As an offshoot of the Trust for Urban Housing Finance – TUHF it has targeted finance in the townships to unlock the potential of an emerging property market and addressing low-density design of government sponsored housing initiatives across the countries – with a particular focus on South Africa's metros.    I am joined by uMaStandi Portfolio Manager Nomfundo Molemohi. responsible for the Western & Eastern Cape portfolio. We are joined by her client, SAPS detective by day and property developer by night, Lizwi Ntengeshe. In this episode we deep-dive the approach and impact of this emerging market and the financial implications and opportunities afforded in the sector. What are the considerations of the funder and prospective client and what happens once the project has been green-lit and approved? It's a refreshing take on an emerging property sector and one that is undoubtedly shaping our communities across the country and providing much needed affordable rental opportunities for an underserved market. Learn more about uMastandi via: https://umastandi.co.za/ Recorded: June 12th 2024

In this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, our subject is South Africa's National Spatial Development Framework (NSDF) - a long-term spatial plan that sets South Africa's spatial agenda and trajectory towards 2050. As a legally mandated plan via SPLUMA, it completes the "set" of government spatial plans adding to the provincial and municipal spatial development frameworks prepared over many years. It also advances the ambitions and directives of the 2030 National Development Plan (NDP). It's a critical document for South Africa outlining the ambitions, growth and transformation objectives for urban and rural areas in South Africa. Zouna Meades and Rajesh Makan from the NSDF "champion", the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRD), give us their take on the document and an in-depth assessment of the plan's process, plan and core themes. We also talk about the challenges of alignment and coherence across the spheres of government and seek to understand how planners and other built environment practitioners can embed the thinking and implementation aspects of the NSDF into their routines and work. Access the NSDF via: https://sacplan.org.za/wp-content/uploads/Booklet-NSDF.pdf Watch the YouTube video via this link: https://youtu.be/pQnaAKkUZUc?si=EiJ3pqCj-xtb_QGV Recorded 2nd May 2024

In August last year we were delighted to work with the fledgling Now Now Competition that used the Cape Town stadium as a focal point for its inaugural design contest. In it's second iteration the Now Now contest has shifted focus within Cape Town from Green Point to Khayelitsha's Spine Road. In this latest episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, Sebestian Hitchcock - principal coordinator of the NowNow architecture competition - and I talk to two of the local entrepreneurs within Khayelitsha, Brian Bango a friend of the podcast and, for the first time Buntu Matole. Spine Road is a critical arterial for Cape Town linking numerous communities within and beyond Khayelitsha. It links the sands of Strandfontein in Mitchells Plain, through Rocklands and beyond Mew Way. It is recognised as a vibrant heart of the community and famed for its party and nightlife when the sun goes down! This episode unpacks some of the realities and aspirations for the road and the broader community from innovators in that space: Brian is a leading property developer and Buntu is a pioneer in the tourism field. The episode is upbeat, inspiring, and provides an excellent opportunity for the curious and prospective competition entrants alike to learn more about the opportunities of the road and requirements of the contest. Recorded: Wednesday, March 27th 2024

For our first recording of the year the Talking Transformation Podcast we are blending innovation, international and entrepreneurial flavours with our guest, Marlene Lerch co-founder of the "Dooiy" – Hack your Schack NGO. Dooiy is a fledgling non-profit organisation from Germany that operates between Berlin and South Africa. I first met Marlene whilst working with the Ranyaka NGO team operating out of Stellenbosch last year. As you’ll hear, collaboration and partnership with other NGOs and agencies with similar values and perspectives is an essential part of their operations and key to the growth of Dooiy. I was struck by the simplicity and effectiveness of “hacks” and devices that they promote via their Dooiy platform (https://dooiy.org/). Whether it’s manufacturing soap, building a washing machine or DIY fire extinguishers, the products are designed to provide effective solutions for minimal cash outlays. There are also numerous guides to assist in the growing of vegetables and cooking tips to keep families healthy and diets nutrition-rich. In addition to the health and safety benefits offered, Dooiy also seeks to provide young entrepreneurs with the chance to transform their own economic circumstances by manufacturing these items and on-selling within the community. During the first days of an extended visit to South Africa I took the time to understand the approach and ambitions of Dooiy with Marlene. Her passion and enthusiasm for the platform, products, and communities she is working with make for a great way to kick start the first month of the year and I hope you’ll enjoy the episode as much as I did recording the episode and spending time with her. Recorded 24th January 2024

2024 is an important year for South Africa that will - no doubt - see plenty of reflection on 30 years of democracy and consider the achievements of this democratic era and the perennial and future challenges facing communities across the country. One of those perennial challenges remains the progressive realisation of housing for all – a quest that has shaped so much of the debate and policy-making since 1994. So, it’s perhaps fitting that it’s a theme that kicks off our 2024 as we consider a newly released book: "Housing in African Cities - A Lens on Urban Governance". Covering six countries and eight different cities across the continent the book presents a series of housing themes and agendas - from Inclusionary Housing in Cape Town to the walk-up housing typologies of Fleurhof, Johannesburg. In this TTPod episode, editorial team, Dr. Margot Ruben, Dr. Sarah Charlton, Dr. Neil Klug reflect on the contributions made. What themes were important and how do some of those themes echo (or not!) some of the thinking going into a new White Paper on Human Settlements? Happy New Year to all Talking Transformation Podcast listeners! Recorded 18th December 2023

I was first made aware of the unique building typologies in the Blue Downs area in the early 2020s. Central Blue eState and eHousing units certainly didn’t look like a conventional affordable housing project or subscribe to many of the unit design concepts I’m familiar with. I’ve been intrigued by the thinking behind the units and the design ever since. When I met the Managing Director and Co-founder of Citra South Africa, Joel Bauer on site a couple of months ago and he confessed to being a listener to the podcast, I invited him and members of the team to reflect on the Citra journey and development philosophy.   What exactly was different and how does their thinking challenge the convention and principles of many affordable housing projects? How can those approaches translate into efficiencies and savings in costs to keep costs low and the selling price within reach of their target markets? This detailed conversation covers all of that and more, including an inspirational genesis story and reflections on the numerous challenges faced by a fledgling construction company that has a specific identity and construction process that didn’t quite fit the mould. Recorded 1st December 2023

In this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast we change our geography considerably, from a South African context, to the Arabinan Peninsula and Persian Gulf region. Our guest is Mahmood Al-Wahaibi an urban planner, ethnographer and academic who heads up OTU: the Oman Think Urban. The OTU is a Think Tank that blends urban ethnography and planning methodologies to support community engagement and research impacting on a number of the major planning initiatives in Oman. It comes at a time when Oman is looking to transition its economy away from a heavy emphasis on oil and commodities to a more diverse economy where tourism and emphasis on service sector industries are championing that transition.   Based out of Muscat, the Capital City of Oman, Mahmood and I met in person a year ago when we both supported the Greater Muscat Structure Plan (GMSP). The GMSP is a fascinating case study in addressing a sprawling, low-density capital city that is bracing for significant changes in its spatial, economic, social and environmental character. It doesn't seek to address the transition and growth in the manner and style of Dubai or Dohar. Muscat's is arguably a more humble approach, that seeks to balance, on the one hand, the preservation and celebration of the heritage of an ancient city with the ambitions, on the other hand, to meet the demands of a modern and competitive economy and metropolitan city. The implications for mobility modes, migration patterns and existential issues of environmental and sustainability issues have been key considerations in the GMSP. Mahmood was the consummate host in a country and region I knew nothing about. I was curious about the region, the history, the opportunities and the transitions that were driving change in his home town and country. Many of the challenges we face here in South Africa are echoed in the GMSP but these are being tackled in a different way and with very different expectations and resourcing for infrastructure and partnerships. I hope you'll enjoy the conversation and reflections from the episode. Recorded 17th November 2023

Welcome to the latest episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast released on World Town Planning Day, the 8th of November 2023. It's a great way to celebrate this initiative with this latest episode, as we pick up on a familiar TTPod theme: the issue of state-owned land - in this instance, properties owned by Transnet - and the opportunity to build and renew our existing cities. My guest is the distinguished academic, Professor Ivan Turok who last week published an Op-Ed titled: "Transnet should sell its surplus land to unlock housing and jobs." It was an article widely circulated on social media and professional circles. Ivan wrote that such a move could release funds to invest in operational improvements and unlock strategic sites for development addressing on the one hand, the financial sustainability for those organisations that are in financial distress AND maximising the city building opportunities of using strategic owned land portions that are not core assets. In effect, it's talking about a win-win for the agencies and cities more generally! It remains a really important subject that should remain central to our thinking on a day World Town Planning Day. What DOES it mean when we are unable to leverage and maximize the benefit of state assets in great locations? How does that become more urgent and more pressing when those same agencies are requesting financial handouts? What WILL it take to see the momentum shift? Ivan has some compelling answers to these questions - I hope you enjoy the insights and the episode. Recorded Monday 6th November, 2023

In this second of the Talking Transformation Podcasts recorded at the ESRI Southern Africa User Conference, we are joined by three highly innovative and motivated individuals: Vhuyo Nevari, from ESRI South Africa Nsovo Pearl Maluleke, Planning Masters Student at the University of Johannesburg and, Tshidi Morabi , representing the STEAM4kids initiative. Vhuyo describes his journey from rural South Africa to urban professional and GIS practitioner: a truly inspiring conversation and one that celebrates both the individual and the benefits of an internship programme growing future GIS practitioners. ESRI Hackathon winner, Pearl Maluleke reflects on her award winning solution addressing the optimisation of routes and ensuring equity in service delivery within Johannesburg's waste management space. And last, but certainly not least Tshidi Morabi: an experienced IT practitioner explains the STEAM 4 Kids initiative that builds coding and robotics competence and skills within young children. These were the three speakers who inspired me most in a packed and innovative program that inspired and encouraged all in attendance. I hope you'll enjoy this episode as much as I did recording it. Recorded 26th October 2023