High Street

Buntu Matole

Co-founder of ABCD Concepts Pty Ltd, Buntu Matole, born in Gauteng and raised in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, is a dynamic entrepreneur and community leader. Established in 2015, ABCD Concepts evolved from sports-focused initiatives into a tourist attraction, elevating the community's profile. In 2016, he became an Airbnb experience host and obtained registration as a tourist guide, playing a pivotal role in transforming Khayelitsha.

Housing

Liza Cirolia

Liza is an Associate Professor at the African Centre for Cities, University of Cape Town. Her teaching, research and policy work focuses on infrastructural transitions, urban statecraft, and finance, specifically in the context of African urbanization. Liza serves on the editorial boards of Urban Studies and Platforms & Society.

High Street

Tiago Damasceno

Tiago Damasceno is a Project Manager at Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading (VPUU-NPC). Through his work at VPUU, he has carried out urban and architectural development projects around Khayelitsha. He was part of the team that won Gold at the HOLCIM awards for Asia and Pacific, and championed a development project focused on natural building materials and architecture for Ethiopia's rural housing.

Pavilion

Sarah Harding

Sarah Harding is an architectural designer, researcher, and writer from Johannesburg, now based in London. Her work delves into critical theory and experimental design, challenging traditional architectural norms and focusing on the politics of space and the body. She has worked with progressive South African firms like UrbanWorks and Counterspace, and recently assisted Lesley Lokko, the curator of the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.

Early Childhood Centre

Lene Øverland

Lene has over two decades of leadership experience and expertise in public health, gender equality, women's leadership, sexual and reproductive rights and health, resource mobilisation, effective communication, and early childhood development. Throughout her career, she has prioritised good governance and strategic planning. Lene's passion for operational excellence has fuelled her success in building strategic partnerships with funders, civil society organisations and governments.

Power Station

Kevin Kimwelle

Kimwelle is an architect and researcher specialising in sustainable design, alternative materials, and community-driven development. His work spans Kenya to South Africa, with global collaborations across the USA, Europe, India, and Africa. His Food Pavilion at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront — built from 98% recycled materials — was nominated for the 2024 Barcelona Construmat Awards. A multi-award-winning architect, he has been recognised by the SAIA and the South African Cities Network. He is also a TEDx speaker.

Housing

Sibulele Myoli

Sibulele Myoli is an Asset Manager at Divercity Property Group, overseeing the financial and operational performance of residential and mixed use developments. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Construction Management from the University of the Witwatersrand and is a GBCSA Green Star Accredited Professional. Passionate about sustainability, he is committed to driving responsible developments that create community impact and deliver long-term financial value.

Early Childhood Centre

Theodora Lutuli

Theodora is a passionate advocate for early childhood development (ECD), the owner and principal of Khanyisa Nursery and Inkwenkwezi Educare Centre in Nyanga, where she oversees the education of over 150 children. Theodora has served as Deputy Chairperson for Justice Desk Africa, contributed to the book Thought Leaders of ECD in South Africa, and led protest marches to the Department of Basic Education and Parliament for ECD recognition.

Pavilion

Faldi Samaai

Faldi, the Head Project Manager for Cape Town's Formula E event, is a seasoned Project Developer and Civil Engineer. His work has spanned the V&A Marina, The One & Only Hotel, The Grande Bateleur, and the C40 Net Zero initiative. He has also worked on the Athlone CBD revitalization project and the mixed-income, mixed use Conradie Park developments in Cape Town.

Power Station

Olamide Udoma-Ejorh

Olamide is an Urban Activist with degrees in Architecture, Design, and Infrastructure Management. Olamide has worked in London, South Africa, and Nigeria, focusing on transport management, slum upgrading, and housing rights in African cities. She is a trustee at Open House Lagos and the former Editor-in-Chief of Lost in Lagos Magazine.

Pavilion

Lloyd Martin

Lloyd Martin, the founder of Locus Metis, creates sustainable and culturally-integrated spaces, leveraging the urban metabolism framework. With international experience, he believes in honest architecture that engages with its environment. Locus Metis brings innovation, sustainability, and cultural integration, shaping meaningful spaces for a harmonious future.

Pavilion

Leonard Miller

Leonard Miller is a co-director and lead designer at MiMo Architects, a Johannesburg-based design firm passionately dedicated to discovering the essence of enduring architecture. With a primary focus on beauty, autonomy, and appropriateness, Leonard and his team delve beneath superficial layers to uncover the fundamental elements that generate a lasting impact in space.

Power Station

Papa Omotayo

Papa Omotayo is an award-winning architect, designer, writer, and filmmaker. His work explores culture within contemporary Nigeria and the broader African context. Focused on cross-disciplinary collaboration, he seeks to create nuanced visual narratives in Nigeria's urban centres and beyond. Papa is the founder of A Whitespace Creative Agency and is the Creative Director of MOE+ Art Architecture.

Housing

Jens Horber

Jens Horber is a researcher at Ndifuna Ukwazi, an activist organisation and law centre that advocates for access to well located land and affordable housing for poor and working class families, communities and social movements. He holds a Master's degree in Urban Planning, as well as diplomas in management and industrial design. He is passionate about bottom-up processes of community engagement, so that planning and urban governance not only empowers and learns from citizens but responds to their agency in demanding and asserting their rights to the city.

Power Station

Ade Shokunbi

Adeyemo Shokunbi is a Nigerian architect based in the UK. In 2007, he co-established Patrick Waheed Design Consultancy (PWDC) to explore Ethno-tropical Contemporary (ETC) architecture. He has worked on residential, educational, commercial, and worship spaces, redefining Nigerian architecture through his New Alternative Nigerian Aesthetic (NANA). In 2021, he won the IF I Innovative Design Excellence Award.

Power Station

Oluyemi Shonubi

Oluyemi is the founder of SAVANT Integrated Concepts Limited, a multidisciplinary project management firm in Lagos, Nigeria. With 30 years of experience spanning engineering, corporate banking, real estate finance, and project development, she has a proven track record of excellence. She is a member of the Body of Experts for the Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund and a Trustee of ProMaCon, an NGO established in 2009 to promote the profession in Nigeria.

Housing

Heather Dodd

Heather Dodd is a partner at Savage + Dodd Architects in Johannesburg, South Africa. The practice champions design as a tool for restorative spatial justice and urban resilience, with projects spanning universities, public buildings and social housing. Heather's work focuses on social housing and urban regeneration, contributing to the revitalization of Johannesburg's inner city. Savage + Dodd Architects has received two WAFX Awards at the World Architecture Festival in 2019 and 2022.

Pavilion

Albert van Jaarsveld

Albert van Jaarsveld, a registered architect, established a practice in London after completing his post-graduate Diploma in architecture at Cambridge University. He returned to South Africa in 2010, working part-time at the University of Cape Town as a tutor and course convener for eleven years. He also worked full-time at SAOTA until 2020, developing the undergraduate curriculum at UCT and creating the bridging course for admission to landscape architecture and urban design courses.

Pavilion

Max Melvill, Ashleigh Killa

The MAAK is an award-winning architecture studio based in Cape Town co-founded by Ashleigh Killa and Max Melvill in 2016. Specialising in 'social-impact architecture', the studio works closely with organisations, institutions and funding bodies to deliver impactful public projects. The MAAK is a process-based studio driven by its commitment to people, making and materials, collaborating with end-users to create work that reflects the unique needs and dreams of the people they serve.

Power Station

Adun Okupe

Dr Adun Okupe, a tourism expert, is a senior advisor with Red Clay Advisory, host of the West African Tourism Roundtable Series and Faculty member of Lagos Business School. She holds a PhD in Tourism Leadership from the University of Surrey, a Masters in Development Studies from SOAS, and a first-class degree in Business Economics from the University of Keele.

Early Childhood Centre

Michael Carey

With 29 years of architectural experience, Michael has led projects across education, corporate, mixed-use, and industrial sectors, completing over 2 million square metres of built space. A sustainability focused architect, he holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of the Witwatersrand and is passionate about designing engaging, adaptable educational spaces that foster lifelong learning and community interaction.

High Street

Claudia Hitzeroth

Claudia Hitzeroth, a South African urban development practitioner specializing in affordable housing, formerly served as a Project Coordinator at the Development Action Group (DAG), a Cape Town-based NGO addressing urban land and housing issues. She holds a master's degree in Sustainable Urban Development from the Bartlett Development Planning Unit, UCL, and is currently a nominated fellow of the DCMT Innovation Fellowship.

High Street

Claire du Trevou

Claire, an urbanist and architect, brings radical honesty to her diverse career in urban development, thriving in complexity and adapting to new methods. In 2021, she complemented her Architectural Qualifications with an MBA. Known for facilitating participatory workshops, Claire implements brave ideas for sustainable urban regeneration. Her research at People's Environmental Planning into Backyard Rentals was pivotal in forming Bitprop.

High Street

Tshepo Mokholo

Tshepo Mokholo is a South African interdisciplinary designer, urbanist, writer, and researcher. He holds an Honours degree in Architecture from the University of Pretoria and is pursuing a Master's in Southern Urbanism at the African Centre for Cities. His research focuses on alternative development models, particularly examining township food systems. He is co-authoring a book on Public Interest Design In South Africa.

Pavilion

Roland Postma

Roland Postma is the Managing Director of Young Urbanists in South Africa, co-coordinating the Active Mobility Forum. Originally from Pretoria, he holds a first-class Honours degree in Urban and Regional Planning and resides in Cape Town. Passionate about urban transformation, Roland engages stakeholders to create vibrant, sustainable communities.