Women’s summit mobilises changemakers to build thriving communities
The first-ever Thrive Women’s Summit, held on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, brought together close to 100 women changemakers to celebrate collaboration across sectors and create a space where stories, ideas, and action could meet.
Hosted by Ranyaka Community Transformation in partnership with Nedbank, the gathering marked a significant milestone in the rollout of the Thrive movement, encouraging the mobilisation of a growing network of changemakers from shared belief to coordinated action.
Among the summit participants were women who have partnered with Ranyaka as part of the Nedbank-funded Proud of My Town programme since 2017. These included representatives from local government, the corporate and non-profit sectors, faith-based institutions, community-based organisations, local small businesses, grassroots changemakers, and more.
In her opening address, Ranyaka CEO Sithembiso Malevu reflected on Ranyaka’s origins and the values that have shaped this urban-planning non-profit company’s approach to community transformation.
“Our journey began in a small community called Magaliesburg in 2012. We arrived with ears to listen and open hands, believing that transformation begins when people themselves are at the centre of their own story. From that seed, Thrive was born, a way of re-imagining our towns and cities as places where people do not just survive, but thrive.”
Nina Wellsted from Nedbank’s Social Impact Unit and champion of the Proud of My Town programme reflected on the decade-long collaboration between Nedbank and Ranyaka.
“There are countless examples of resilience, tenacity and transformation built through the Proud of My Town journey. As a purpose-led bank, we use our financial expertise to do good, because our real value isn’t in the money itself, but in how it enables dignity, justice and opportunity,” she said.
The panel discussion explored some of the ways women are driving transformation in their own contexts. The panel featured Funeka Mayembana Hermans (Stellenbosch Municipality), Judith Balie (Genadendal Mission Museum), Bulelwa Tito (entrepreneur and fashion designer from Yeyethu Designer Studio), and Dr Mélani Prinsloo (data innovation strategist from Wakamoso). Their conversation spanned local governance, creative enterprise, heritage preservation, and innovation, illustrating that sustainable transformation is strongest when rooted in local leadership and collaboration.
Following the panel, the interactive round-table sessions invited women to share insights, challenges, and resources. Each table brought together representatives from different sectors and walks of life, creating a cross-pollination of ideas and solutions.
One participant reflected, “Everyone had beautiful stories and ideas. We’re walking away with solutions, options, and resources that were mobilised at this table. I feel very encouraged.” Another added, “Access to knowledge, mentorship, and empowerment must become the norm, not the exception. Most importantly, we want every young woman to feel a sense of purpose and know she has a place, a voice and the support to grow into her own potential.”
Keynote speaker Ashrinee Gopi, Regional Manager: Small Business and Private Clients, Western Cape at Nedbank, emphasised the strength found in collaboration and the importance of financial empowerment.
“In a world that sometimes feels fractured and unkept, it is vital that we shift our focus from survival to collaboration. As women, we have incredible strength and resilience, but often we internalise pressures that tell us we must do it all alone. Yet the truth is, we rise higher when we support one another.”
Music and spoken poetry also formed part of the programme, with performances by spoken poet Genevieve Zongolo, 16-year-old singer Kwakho Swartbooi from Kayamandi Township, and vocal artist Bradly Cameron, who closed the event with his rendition of Blessing.
The summit concluded with a symbolic gesture of finding common ground. Each woman received a seedling donated by Herbalview Hydroponics, planted in soil mixed with earth that participants had brought from their own homes. Each guest also received a sustainably crafted goodie bag made by Lilly Loompa Upcycled Homeware. Amongst the items were gifts from entrepreneurs who are alumni of Ranyaka’s Building Business Programme.
Closing the summit, Sithembiso Malevu offered a hopeful call to action: “This summit has shown that the future is not something distant. It is something we are shaping right here and now with the choices we make, the conversations we have, and the partnerships we build. Imagine towns where people are flourishing, where dignity is restored, where every child sees a future. That is what we pursue, that is what we build, that is what we call Thrive.”
Background:
Ranyaka Community Transformation is a South African non-profit company specialising in collaborative urban and rural regeneration. Founded in 2013, Ranyaka designs and implements the Thrive framework, placing people, place and partnerships at the centre of transformation. Ranyaka is the official implementation agent for Nedbank’s Proud of My Town (PoMT) programme, which has reached 38 communities across eight provinces, impacting nearly 200 000 people and implementing over 1 000 projects that strengthen local economies, civic networks and shared spaces.