The first-ever Thrive Women’s Summit brought 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 in Stellenbosch on Tuesday 14 October, the gathering marked a significant milestone in the roll-out 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 had 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.
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In her opening address Ranyaka CEO Sithembiso Malevu reflected on this urban-planning non-profit company’s origins and the values that have shaped its approach to community transformation.
“Our journey began in a small community called Magaliesberg in 2012. We arrived with ears to listen and open hands, believing 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 of 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,” she said.
“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.”
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TRANSFORMING INDUSTRIES
The panel discussion explored some of the ways in which 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.”
TAKING HANDS
Keynote speaker Ashrinee Gopi, regional manager of Small Business and Private Clients at Nedbank in the Western Cape, 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 Khayamandi, and vocalist Bradley 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. Among the items were gifts from entrepreneurs who are alumni of Ranyaka’s Building Business Programme.
Closing the summit, 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.”
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