About SAPI - SAPI

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Purpose and Objectives

The purpose and aim of the South African Planning Institute (SAPI) is to enhance the art and science of sustainable local, regional and national human and physical development planning, and the theory and practise relating thereto.

The objectives of SAPI are as follows:

to promote the profession of planning in South Africa;
to promote a high level of professionalism and ethical conduct in the broad interests of society at large;
to promote and protect the interests of its members;
to promote the standard of education and training of persons in the planning profession;
to ensure that planning within South Africa promotes sustainable use of natural resources, social and economic upliftment of all population segments;
to initiate and promote reforms in the laws, policies and programmes relating to planning in South Africa; and
to promote inter-disciplinary discussion and collaboration, and also national and international contact and exchange

SAPI Constitution

The South African Planning Institute (SAPI) was formed on 1 July 1996 following the amalgamation of the South African Institute of Town and Regional Planners (SAITRP) and the Development Planning Association of South Africa (DPASA).

The Constitution and Rules of SAPI state the main purpose and objectives of the Institute, all intended to promote planning as a profession in South Africa and to ensure that its members concern themselves with issues relevant to planning, as well as who should benefit from the Institute.

The Constitution describes the membership to the Institute, who may become a member, the duties and rights of members and the relevant procedures for application, resignation, etc.. The Constitution makes provision for structure and procedures for the Institute’s governance and management, a National Board and Regional Committees. The Rules summarizes the Planner’s responsibilities to clients and employers and sets rules for the Institute’s members and their professional conduct.

Code of Conduct

The Constitution and Rules of the South African Planning Institute (SAPI) includes rules regarding the professional conduct of the Institute’s members. In addition to the Rules, the Planning Professions Act, 2000 (Act No 36 of 2000) governs the planning profession in South Africa and was preceded by the Town and Regional Planning Act, 1984 (Act No 19 of 1984). Both laws contain directives regarding professional conduct. The SAPI National Board saw a need for a more specific code of conduct or operating code.

The Code of Conduct of SAPI was adopted in July 2005 and all the Institute’s members are obligated to adhere to the Code of Conduct.

History

The South African Planning Institute (SAPI) was formed on 1 July 1996 following the amalgamation of the SAITRP and the DPASA.A successor to the South African Branch of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI, established January 1944), the South African Institute of Town and Regional Planners (SAITRP) was formed in 1954. The Institute was for a number of years the only professional association of national significance in South Africa.

Prior to the Second World War, a number of regional bodies had been established. These included the ‘Town Planning Association of the Transvaal’ established in 1919 and lead by Colin Wade, the Cape Province Town Planning Association, established in 1931 and lead by A.H. Cornish, Bowden, and the Town Planning Association of Natal, also established in 1931, under the leadership of a surveyor by the name of Schelin.

In January 1944, the South African Branch of the Royal Town Planning Institute was established, but this was intended to serve much of southern Africa, and not just South Africa. There was however growing concern that there was a need in the post war period for a national body which concentrated on issues of national rather than regional significance.

It is recorded that by 1947, the Chairman of the Transvaal Town Planning Association, Professor Geoffrey Pearce of the University of the Witwatersrand, had encouraged a number of planners to support the establishment of a South African Institute of Town and Regional Planning. By 1953 the Cape Committee of the SA Branch of the Royal Town Planning Institute was also placing on record its support for the formation of an independent national body.

On 15 February 1954, a formal resolution was taken by a group of planners meeting at the University of the Witwatersrand to establish the South African Institute of Town and Regional Planners (SAITRP). The record shows that the planners present included PR Anderson, MD Baldocchi, NT Cooper, J Fassler, TB Floyd, K Douglas Green, HM Marsh, WPF McLaren and JH Scott.

For a period of about 40 years the SAITRP was the only professional association of national significance and had as its primary objective, ‘to advance the science and art of town and regional planning’, and was concerned mostly with the promotion of, and standards within, the profession and the discipline.

It was mainly concerned with the promotion of, and standards within, the profession and the discipline. The South African Council of Town and Regional Planners (SACTRP) was formed in terms of the Town and Regional Planners Act, 1984 (Act No 19 of 1984), and as a consequence, the statutory role and functions of the SAITRP fell away.

The Development Planning Association of South Africa (DPASA) was founded in January 1994 in response to the concerns and perceptions of a group of planners that the profession and the SAITRP was not doing enough to promote the transformation of both society and the planning profession in South Africa, nor creating sufficient opportunities for the empowerment of planners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

20 Year Reflection

The South African Planning Institute (SAPI) was formed on 1 July 1996 through the amalgamation of the South African Institute of Town and Regional Planners (SAITRP) and the Development Planning Association of South Africa (DPASA).

This reflection of the 20 year journey taken by the leaders and members of SAPI is a tribute to the selfless efforts made to build an independent and connected organisation.

20 years seems like a long time but it is rather short in the context of building a new organisation during a momentous period in South Africa, a period when the country was making a transition from apartheid to democracy.

Gauteng

Tobela Michael Zenzele Twala – Chairperson

Tobela is a Professionally registered Town Planner with SACPLAN and a Corporate member of SAPI.

Tobela has a decade of Town Planning experience both in public and private sectors and is currently pursuing his PhD in Town Planning at the University of KwaZulu Natal.

He also holds an Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from South China University of Technology through DHET Scholarship where he excelled and was also accepted the International Golden Key Society of Top Achievers. Tobela has had multiple leadership roles including project and programme management roles in the National Ministry of Public Works.

Tobela is passionate about the Town Planning fraternity and Youth Development.

Email - tobelatwala@gmail.com

Dr Gamuchirai Mutezo – Deputy Chairperson

Dr Gamuchirai Mutezo is the founder of Madam Waste, an urban energy planning firm based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Services offered span across urban energy planning, organic waste management and decentralised clean energy using anaerobic digestion. Using principles of circular economy, Madam Waste endeavours to constantly view waste not in its traditional sense of a disposable material, but as a resource for other activities.

Dr Mutezo has a Post Doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Ecological Intelligence (University of Johannesburg) focusing on agro-ecological waste management and circular economy. She has over 12 years’ work experience underpinned by entrepreneurship, renewable energy, applied research and development, all with a keen focus on decentralising energy access in African cities using anaerobic digestion.

She also holds a B. Town and Regional Planning (University of Pretoria), an MPhil Energy Poverty and Development (University of Cape Town), Project Management Certificate (University of South Africa) and a DPhil in Urban Biogas and Circular Economy (University of the Witwatersrand). Dr Mutezo is a member of the African Circular Business Alliance (ACBA), African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) – South Africa and South African Biogas Industry Association (SABIA). She enjoys travelling, reading and worldly conversations.

Email - hello@madamwaste.com

Lorenda Mathapelo Modubu – Events & Marketing

Lorenda has a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Town and Regional Planning from The University of Pretoria.

She has worked as a Town and Regional Planner at Sol Plaatje Municipality , the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality as Technical Evaluator and Specialist Town Planner under Department of Development Planning which has enabled a valuable and transferable skill set in government sector. Currently Lorenda works for Madibeng Local Municipality as Senior Urban Renewal Officer.

Lorenda is a self-motivated and dead line driven person with an interest in development planning with excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. She is also registered with SACPLAN as Professional Planner A/2087/2015.

Email - modubumathaps@gmail.com

Panashe Sabeta – Stakeholder Manager

Panashe is a Professionally registered Town Planner with SACPLAN and a Corporate member of SAPI.

Panashe has six years experience in both the public and private sector. He completed his undergraduate Degree in Town & Regional Planning at the University of Pretoria (UP) and his Masters in Project Management in the Built-Environment at Nelson Mandela University (NMU).

Panashe believes in the power of community engagement and actively participates in outreach programs to raise awareness about sustainable urban living. His ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds enables them to gather valuable insights, ensuring that their planning initiatives are community-driven and culturally sensitive.

Email - sabetap@ymail.com

EC Western Region

Maartje Weyers – Chairperson

Maartje holds a B Art et Science Degree in Town and Regional Planning from the University of North West (then Potchefstroom). She is registered as a Professional Planner at the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) and is a corporate member at the South African Planning Institute (SAPI), SAPI National Board Member and SAPI Vice President /SAPI Chairperson of the EC Western Region.

Maartje’s career path include 27 years of Professional Planning in both the Public and Private environments. Maartje gained 12 years’ municipal planning experience whilst working at the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality – specifically in the role of Chief Town and Regional Planner and Area Manager at Edenvale, Alberton and Kempton Park Customer Care Centers. Maartje furthered her career in private practice and worked 7 years for AECOM (previously known as Khuthele Projects and BKS) in the Eastern Cape Region, Port Elizabeth Office and participating in multi- diciplinary projects in various Provinces of South Africa. Maartje has since 2015 start her own free- lance consultancy business trading as Route2EC Town Planning Services.

Email - maartje@route2.co.za

WC Western Region

Rayner Moodley – Chairperson

Rayner is a Registered Professional Planner with The South African Council of Planners, a Corporate Member of the South African Planning Institute (SAPI), and Chairperson of SAPI: Western Cape. He holds a National Diploma and a Bachelor of Technology in Town and Regional Planning (Durban University of Technology), and a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning (University of Cape Town). Further, Rayner is a PhD Candidate at Cape Peninsula the University of Technology focusing on Regional Spatial Planning.

Before joining academia in 2012, he worked in both the public and private sectors of Town/Urban Planning. He has occupied several academic positions within the Town/Urban Planning Department between 2012 – 2020. In 2021, Rayner was appointed as Head of the Department for Architectural Technology and Interior Design within the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Rayner has published research in Community Engagement, Service Learning, Land Use Planning, Spatial Planning, and Pedagogical Practices within COVID-19.

Research Areas: Land Use Planning, Spatial, and Strategic Planning – specifically Regional Spatial Development.

Email - MoodleyRa@cput.ac.za

Kwazulu-Natal

Peter Gilmore – Chairperson

Peter Gilmore has Local Government and private sector planning experience for the past 28 years.

First qualified as a Town Planning Technician in 1992 and later undertook Master’s degree in Town & Regional Planning in 2006 at University KwaZulu Natal and a further Master of Commerce degree in 2013.

Peter has extensive experience in both urban and rural planning matters, public administration, developmental and statutory planning matters, regional spatial planning, local economic development, tourism, project management and property law & development. Peter also previously served as Executive Board member on the South African Council for Planners. Other planning related activities involve part time lecturing at the University KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) for the master’s degree planning course, external exam moderator for both UKZN and Durban University of Technology and e-learning course tutor for the World Bank Institute

Email - sapikzn@gmail.com

Siyabonga Njeke – Chairperson

Mr. Siyabonga Njeke (B. Tech TRP, N. Dip TRP) is a registered Professional Town and Regional Planner with over 12 years of experience in the public and the private sector.

His skill facets within town and regional planning are in urban and rural areas, relating to Spatial Planning, Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs), Development Planning, Urban Management, with extensive proven ability in the field of strategic/forward planning and facilitating engagement with traditional leaders and their communities to foster integrated development planning. His career started in the technical consulting sector then moved to Local Government and now working within the provincial government at KZNCOGTA. Presently his notable duties involve providing technical assistance to professional teams within municipalities on all aspects regarding town and regional planning projects.

His skills play an integral role in facilitating key stakeholder management in advocating integrated development planning through the district development model (DDM). He also guests lectures at Durban University of Technology to the Urban and Regional Planning final year students.

Thando Gono – Secretary

Thando Gono is a registered Professional Planner with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN). She has over five years’ experience in the Public Sector and is employed by the Greater Kokstad Municipality as a Town Planning Technician. Thando has played an active role in the delivery of various planning projects, spatial planning, strategic planning, land use management, land use development, human settlements, building control, outdoor advertising, and environmental affairs.

Thando holds a master’s degree in Town and Regional Planning from the University of Pretoria (UP) and a Bachelor and National Diploma degree in Town and Regional Planning from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). She is a certified Law Enforcement Officer (Peace Officer). She also completed an NQF Level 7 Labour Intensive Construction course in 2021. In June 2022, she was award one of the Top Young Planning Professionals by the South African Council of Planners (SACPLAN).

Pravina Naidoo – Treasurer

Pravina Naidoo is a Professional Town and Regional Planner with over 25 years’ experience in the public sector environment in the provincial, district and local municipal government spheres.

She has a sound understanding of municipal legislative requirements, inter-governmental relations, institutional and alignment issues providing strategic input into all projects within these spheres. Pravina has been employed by MPAMOT Africa (Pty) Ltd, a Multi-Disciplinary Engineering Company (previously Mott MacDonald) for more than ten years.

Her current role is Discipline Lead – Technical Advisory. Pravina has in-depth knowledge of the many issues experienced within municipalities, from an institutional point of view, the need for capacity building, stakeholder management, inter-governmental co-ordination, spatial planning, the need to promote economic reform and growth, climate change challenges and equitable development needs. Pravina’s focus has always been on transformation, institutionally and spatially and she has been part of many multi-disciplinary, large-scale projects within South Africa.

Mjabuliseni Nkosi – Marketing Portfolio

Mjabuliseni Saneliso Nkosi is a registered Professional Planner with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) with sound working experience in Housing, GIS, Land Use Management, Township Establishment, Strategic Planning, and Geographic Information System. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Management as well as a Master’s Degree in Town and Regional Planning with a distinction in Planning Law Module from UKZN. His dissertation focused on the application and effectiveness of Geographic information System (GIS) as tool for Spatial Planning in Local Government Level in Zululand Districting Municipality. He also Co-Authored a book chapter titled “ The Language of Struggle and Radical Activism as an Inclusive City Tool amongst the Neglected Urban Poor of South Africa” in Book: Urban Inclusivity in Southern Africa (417-445).

Renee Hulley – Events Portfolio

Renee Hulley, a Professional Planner since 2008, with registration at SACTRP. Her highest qualification is Masters in Town Planning (University of KwaZulu-Natal) and Master is Business Administration -(MANCOSA). Renee has worked in both Provincial Government, District Municipality and the Private Sector. She currently manages her own town planning consulting firm New Planning Proposal. The projects currently working on SPLUMA related projects, Land Management Summit, Urban Design projects. Renee as a professional planner enjoys working collaboratively, being impact-full by adding value. Enjoys working on projects that improves land- scapes and provides opportunity for people affected by the project.

Pat Luckin – Planning Awards Portfolio

Pat has a MTRP (Natal 2003) Dissertation “Towards Sustainable Development Planning”- With Distinction MA (UCT 1989) With Distinction “The concept of Rationality in the work of Jürgen Habbermas” BA hons (Wits 1980) “Urban Planning as Crisis Management” BA (Wits 1979) Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Art & Music History , Zulu 1

Pat has 25 years of practical planning and facilitation experience at the local, regional, national, and international levels. During 2018/2019, She was the team leader for the Presidency on the review of the National Spatial Development Perspective addressing the review of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal IDP’S, SDF’S and LED strategies. The LED, statistical analysis, and GIS mapping for the National project were successfully undertaken by her team. Pat successfully undertook five European Union (EU) funded local economic initiatives in KZN, one EU project in Botswana for the Ministry for Finance, an EU and the Netherlands funded Participatory GIS & Land Reform project in Kenya and a three-year EU funded Land Reform Technical Support Programme in KZN, South Africa. Pat chaired an international forum on Natural Resource Management hosted by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation (CTA).

Annette Janine von Riesen – Planning Awards Portfolio

Annette’s undergraduate studies were completed at Rhodes where I read for a Bachelor of Arts (Honours Degree). I have been in planning since I graduated with my Master’s Degree in Town and Regional Planning from the University of Natal (now the University of KwaZulu-Natal) in 1986. Annette first worked at the Natal Provincial Administration and remained there for 5 years. I then did a short stint in academia in 1991 after which I launched my own private planning consultancy – Atelier von Riesen where I remained until 2009. In that year returned to the world of academics and have worked at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (2009 – 2017) and then the Durban University of Technology (2017 – 2021).

Currently, I am working again in my own private consultancy and have an online Writing Centre called Studio-6 assisting students, academics and planning consultancies with the editing of documents. I have previously served on the KZN-SAPI Committee as the Treasurer and in the ethics and legislation portfolio

Langalethu Mthembu – Professional Development Portfolio

Langalethu Mthembu graduated in 2014 with a BTech in Town and Regional Planning from the Durban University of Technology and shortly gained his first real-world experience with the town planning profession through private and provincial government sector work experience and exposure. He later joined the Local Government Sector where he obtained the vast of his experience in statutory planning, land use management, development planning, urban planning, development administration as well as local and regional spatial planning.

Having served at the KwaDukuza Municipality for over five years and three years as a Professionally Registered Town and Regional Planner, he has gained a front-row seat experience on the relevance and importance of clear, consistent and intentional strategic spatial planning for a rapidly growing local municipality, the importance of an efficient and robust land use management system and a holistic approach to development planning for one of the fastest growing municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. Langalethu has been involved in several planning initiatives, programmes and workshops throughout his short career. In the months and years to come, he looks forward to broadening his knowledge and experience beyond the borders of town planning and also contribute to the development of other active town planners in the profession.

Dr Clive Greenstone – DUT Representative

Dr Clive Greenstone is a senior lecturer at the Steve Biko Campus. Qualified with a PhD Development Studies 2019 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). has a MTRP Master of Town and Regional Planning, Bachelor SocSci Honours, Bachelor of SocSci at UKZN.

Dr Greenstone also has a Diploma Game ranch management, Diploma in Ornithology and traded as a Water Reticulation Engineer in 1994 from Congella Trade College Courses .

Currently Teaching: Planning Sustainable cities and regions, Research methods, Applied Land Economics for the Built Environment ALEB101, Planning Theory and Management 4 PLTM401, Research supervision Area of Expertise: Green infrastructure, Urban agriculture, Urban Design, Sustainable Development, Urban Ecology, Environmental Design, Urban resilience, Urban landscape activation designs, Horticulture Bio: I am a built environment practitioner involved in Higher Education in the urban and regional development discipline. I have experience in the natural environment around urban ecology, green infrastructure and urban agriculture. Since 1991 I have been involved in the built environment industry as well as the natural environment from water reticulation, construction, environmental planning, urban design and urban ecology.

Choene Mosima – UKZN Representative

A combined experience of 20 years working in research, academia and public sector. Completed a BSc Agric degree majoring in Soil Science from University of Limpopo in 2001, a postgraduate diploma in science from Wits University majoring in Environmental Sciences. Further completed an MSc in Geo-Information Science & Earth Observation in 2009 from ITC Faculty, University of Twente focusing more on Land Administration and Geo-information Management. Later completed a Master’s degree in Town & Regional Planning from University of Pretoria in 2012.

Matlala has experience in agricultural land use planning, soil classification and mapping, urban and rural planning matters, GIS and remote sensing and project management. He has served for the Limpopo Geographical Names Committee, GISSA Limpopo as chairperson and currently as moderator for Geomatics modules at Tshwane University of Technology and SAPI KZN Committee member.

Mpumalanga

Zandi Sibiya – Interim Chairperson

Zandi Sibiya currently serves as the interim Chairperson of SAPI Mpumalanga Region.

She has served as the SAPI Board member and member of SAPI Mpumalanga since 2015 respectively. Zandi is in possession of a Btech degree in Town and Regional Planning. She is currently working towards completing his Master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning. Zandi has vast experience in public sector, specializing in Development Planning, Spatial Planning, Land Use Management, Rural Development and Integrated Human Settlement.

Zandi is currently a consultant employed by the Sibiya Le Roux Town & Regional Planners as Managing Director. Email: zandi@slrplan.co.za

Limpopo

Tshepo Sebola – Chairperson

Mr. Tshepo Sebola currently serves as the Chairperson of SAPI Limpopo. He is a registered Professional Town and Regional Planner with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) with a background in planning design and development. He possesses a B-Tech in Town and Regional Planning and currently aspires to complete his Masters in Town and Regional Planning.

Tsepho’s background knowledge with more than 10 years combined of experience in the private sector, provincial department and is currently employed as a Senior Town and Regional Planner under Spatial Planning and Land Use Management at the Polokwane Municipality. Key interests include but are also not limited to Social justice, spatial planning and economic development.

Email - iggysebola@gmail.com

Khwathisi Ntsieni Colin – Deputy Chairperson

Khwathisi Ntsieni Colin currently serves as the Deputy Chairperson of SAPI-Limpopo.

Khwathisi is a registered Professional Town Planner with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN). He holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Khwathisi has experience in the public and private sector specializing Strategic Urban Planning, Sustainable Human Settlements, Local Economic Development, Site Planning and Acquisition and Project Management.

Khwathisi is currently the Director of Sithali Group, a multi-disciplinary company that focuses on Town and Regional Planning, Project Development and Management, Environmental Management and Site Acquisitions. He is also a Studio-Technician for University of Venda (Department of Urban and Regional Planning), imparting technical skills to future Town/Urban and Regional Planners.

Kabelo Lesetja Mandli – Treasurer

Kabelo Lesetja Mandli currently serves as the Treasurer of SAPI-Limpopo. He is a registered Professional Town Planner with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN). He is a University of Johannesburg Graduate with over 10 years’ Experience in the field of Town Planning.

Kabelo is a Young Passionate Entrepreneur in the Built Environment Sector and the Co-Founder and Director of Acute Innovation SA, a Built Environment Company that focuses on Town Planning, Architecture and Construction. His Experience mainly rooted in the private sector, awarded Top Young Planning Professional in the Private Sector 2022 by SACPLAN. Kabelo has worked on major Projects such as the Gap Analysis for the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Spatial Development Framework, GIS Based Database for outdoor advertising and Feasibility Studies for Human Settlement. His main interests are Urban Design, Human Settlement Planning, Strategic Planning and GIS and Remote Sensing.

He Strongly believes in hard work with a strong desire to solve problems, he performs his duties with highest level of professionalism, integrity and diligence. He is passionate with capacitating other young planners which have just entered the field in a form of learnership and mentorship. In his spare time, he would never miss an opportunity to play a round of golf.

Pearl Malatji – Secretary

Pearl Malatji currently serves as the Secretary of SAPI Limpopo.

Pearl Malatji is a Registered Candidate Town Planner with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN), with 5 years’ post qualification experience. She holds a B-Tech qualification in Town and Regional Planning from the University of Johannesburg. Pearl is currently a freelance Town Planner, consulting for various companies in Gauteng and Limpopo.

Pearl has experience in both the private and public sector. Key competencies and experience gained at Municipal and Private Sector levels include spatial planning and land use management, development planning, human settlements planning, property development, urban design and GIS. Her life ethos and passion is to exist for a higher purpose while serving people, rebuilding and transforming cities, towns and rural areas in South Africa.

Northern Cape

Marvelous Seele – Chairperson

Marvelous holds a National Diploma in Town and Regional Planning from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and is currently employed as the Acting Municipal Manager at Dikgatlong Municipality. He has 15+ years experience within planning specializing in Housing, Municipal Building Inspectorate, Land Transfers and assessing business plan proposals within the Dikgatlong Municipality.

Marvelous continues to consult in various municipalities such as Siyancuma, Thembelihle, Magareng, Phokwane, Tsantsabane and Dikgatlong which has helped him develop a deep understanding of the local authority management system. He also serves on the Corporate Services, Local Economic Development, SLP Forum and the Executive Committees at Dikgatlong Municipality.

Email - mseele@dikgatlong.co.za

Nomonde Kesiamang – Deputy Chairperson

Nomonde holds a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Cape Town and a Master’s in Architecture (Sustainable Energy Efficient Cities) from Wits University. She is an enterprising Urban Planning, and Economic Development Planning Executive; and Renewable Energy Professional with 22 years’ of experience.

Nomonde is currently employed as the Executive Director: Strategy, Economic Development and Planning at the Sol Plaatje Municipality. She currently sits as Chairperson on a Municipal Planning Tribunal, in addition to regular engagements with Sol Plaatje University (SPU) – was appointed as a juror for development and architectural design for buildings at SPU and recently appointed as an external Examiner for Master’s students at the University of Cape Town.

Her vision is to utilise my acumen in delivering world class spatial, and socio-economic solutions.

Dane Buttner – Treasurer

Dane holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government, Administration and Development from the University of South Africa, and an Honours Degree in Spatial Planning, Masters in Urban and Regional Planning and is currently completing his PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Free State. He is currently employed by the Northern Cape Department of Education as a Planning Officer.

Dane specializes in Infrastructure Delivery Management Systems (IDMS) and the Frameworks for Infrastructure Procurement and Delivery Management (FIPDM), financial forecasting, Education Facility Management Systems (EFMS), Educational projects aligned with the Integrated Development Plans (IDP) and NEIMS Condition assessment reports (National Education Infrastructure Management System).

Freddy Netshivhodza – Stakeholder Management

Freddy holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Venda and a post-graduate diploma in Developing Social Housing from Erasmus University in the Netherlands. He also holds various certificates and diplomas in Efficient Energy, Project Management, Municipal Financial Management, and Property Development and Investment.

Freddy is currently completing an online Master’s in Project Management from Walden University in the USA.

Freddy began his career as an intern in the Limpopo Premier’s Office and has accrued just under two decades of town planning, project management and leadership experience. He is currently employed as the manager of the town planning department at Frances Baard District Municipality and is a registered professional planner with SACPLAN.

Janette Britz – Events and Marketing

Janette has a Doctoral Degree in Town and Regional Planning with 12 years experience in town and regional planning, 8 years experience in management and more recently at Director level, a role she has been in since the beginning of 2023. Janette began her career as a Town and Regional Planner within the Physical Resources Planning unit in 2013, promoted to Deputy Director in 2015 and in 2023 was appointed as the Director for Physical Resources Planning and Property Management.

Janette specializes in development and management of strategies, policies, systems, norms and standards and plans related to immovable assets, associated equipment and property management – more specifically strategic management, infrastructure planning, property and financial management. She is also a registered Professional Town and Regional Planner with SACPLAN.

Free State

Dr Abraham Matamanda – Chairperson

Dr Matamanda holds a BSc Hons Degree in Rural and Urban Planning and Masters of Science Degree in Social Ecology from the University of Zimbabwe, as well as a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Free State (UFS) and is currently employed as a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography and writing consultant at UFS. His teaching philosophy encourages students to express their ideas and participate in their education experience through individual responsibility.

Dr Matamanda has over ten years of experience in research focusing on urban food systems, urban planning and governance, informal urbanism, climate change adaptation and resilience and housing studies. He has more than 35 published academic articles and has been part of the consultant team that developed the Zimbabwe National Wetlands Guidelines and contracted by the UN-HABITAT Zimbabwe to develop a policy framework for resilience and safe urban food markets during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Email - matamandaa@gmail.com

Dr Kgosi Mocwagae – Deputy Chairperson

Dr Mocwagae holds a BSc in Management, Honours in Spatial Planning, Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a PhD from the University of the Free State (UFS). He currently serves as the HOD of the Urban and Regional Planning, is a Senior Lecturer and is on the Building Science Academic Advisory Board at UFS.

Dr Mocwagae also serves as the Vice-chairperson of Municipal Planning Tribunal in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, and is a District Municipal Planning Tribunal Member of thePixley Ka Seme District Municipality. He has also recently placed 1st at the SACPLAN Top Young Planners 2023 Awards.

Email - mocwagaeks@gmail.com

Sarel Griesel – Treasurer

Sarel holds a BSc in Town and Regional Planning from North-West University in Potchefstroom and is currently employed as a Senior Chief Town Planner and more recently the Acting Manager: Development Planning at the Matjhabeng Local Municipality.

Sarel serves on interdepartmental and project steering committees relating to human settlement project, land use schemes, spatial development frameworks and integrated development plans. He advises on and specializes in the evaluation of land development applications & building plans, policy writing and reviewing along with scheduling Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) meetings and developing professional reports to the MPT.

Siphokazi Rammile – Secretary

Siphokazi holds a BA in Geography & Environmental Management, Honours Degree in Spatial Planning, Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and is currently completing her PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Free State (UFS). She is currently employed as a Lecturer within the Urban and Regional Department at UFS.

As an academic within the built environment, Siphokazi has a keen interest in research and generating new knowledge through publications, engaged scholarship and training having completed six publications to date. She was also a facilitator for the National Upgrading Support Programme (NUSP) Capacity Building Programme for Informal Settlement Upgrading and is currently a member of the Golden Key International Honorary Society.

Lerato Sekoboto – Stakeholder Manager

Lerato holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Town and Regional Planning from the University of Pretoria and is currently employed as a Town Planner at the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Lerato was recently awared Rising Leader Award and placed as the Top Woman in Planning by SACPLAN for 2023.

Lerato has assisted in building municipal capacity towards the implementation of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) in the Free State and Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant Projects in Lesedi, Emnambithi and Emfuleni Local Municipalities. She has also managed the project teams for the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality’s Land Use Scheme, Lejweleputswa District and Tokologo Local Municipality’s Spatial Development Frameworks (SDF) and Lejweleputswa District Development Model’s One Plan.

Abongile Mgwele – Events and Marketing

Abongile holds a BSc and Honours Degree in Spatial Planning, a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and is currently completing her PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Free State (UFS). She is currently employed as a Lecturer at UFS, specializing in Spatial and Urban and Regional Planning.

Abongile has keen research interests in spatial governance and informality in Africa, unlocking the potentiality of rural planning, sustainability in urban planning practices and socio-cultural aspects that are neglected in urban and regional planning.

North West

Lesedi Gaabue – Chairperson

Lesedi is a trailblazer, making history as the First Black Female Town Planner to graduate from NWU (North-West University) and is currently in the process of pursuing her Masters in rural development. She has extensive experience in both, the private and public sector. Lesedi has effectively collaborated with various stakeholders to ensure efficient planning and development processes.

Aside from her professional accomplishments, Lesedi is also actively involved in charity work, her ability to connect with individuals and effectively communicate has allowed her to excel in liaising with diverse groups. She is driven by her passion for rural development, along with her visionary leadership skills in shaping the future of Town Planning and spearheading rural development efforts in South Africa.

Ms F T Sotshayo – Deputy Chairperson

Ms Sotshayo holds a Btech in Town and Regional Planning from the University of Johannesburg and currently works at the Mahikeng Local Municipality as a Town Planner, specializing in land use management and spatial planning, and was part of the project team that created working planning systems to provide effective and efficient planning services to members of the public and other relevant stakeholders.

Ms Sothshayo is a registered Professional Planner with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) with 8 years experience in both the public and private sectors. She has a keen interest in expanding her knowledge, making a difference and learning within planning and from fellow town planning champions.

Nthabiseng Ikaneng – Treasurer

Nthabiseng holds a N-Dip and B-Tech in Town and Regional Planning from the University of Johannesburg and is currently employed as a Town Planning Manager at a municipality within the Northwest Province.

Nthabiseng is a registered Professional Town Planner with experience in both the private and government sectors. Her experience within the private sector include land use planning, policy formulation, environmental planning, monitoring and management, and preparation of land development applications – with additional skills using AutoCAD and ArcGIS. Her experience in local government include the implementation of Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, 16 of 2013 (SPLUMA), GIS map creation, assessment of land development applications and township establishments.

Mampho Ngakane – Stakeholder Manager

Mampho holds a Bachelor of Technology in Surveying from Tshwane University of Technology and a Master’s in Town and Regional Planning – which was used as part of a research project for the Anglo-American Municipal Capability & Partnership Programme (MCPP) on behalf of The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as the implementing partner in collaboration with the University of Pretoria.

She is an advocate for planning that promotes sustainable use of natural resources, social and economic upliftment, and fostering stable and sustainable communities.

Email - mamphom@live.co.za

Hlalefo Moletsane – Events and Marketing

Hlalefo holds a BSc Honours in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and is a registered professional planner with SACPLAN. She was the recipient of the SACPLAN Top 30 Young Planning Professionals in 2022.

Hlalefo has extensive experience in municipal spatial planning and municipal land use management and compliance, currently employed by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) – Department of Cooperative Governance with a focus on the organizing and facilitation of the provincial Town Planning forums in partnership with COGHSTA and DALRRD and has had MPT training.

Hlalefo is a strong advocate for gender equality and is motivated by the fact that the built environment sector is still male-dominated, wanting to be part of the female generation that paves the way and inspires women to be confident in entering this industry.