Future Cities Africa podcast: Recent Episodes
Dan @ Future Cities Africa
Future Cities Africa hosts digital discussions with thought leaders and experts at the forefront of major trends, projects, innovations, challenges and opportunities impacting the future of African Cities.
Major drivers such as rapid urbanisation, health crisis, climate change, inadequate infrastructure, technology advancement and more are creating an urgent need for African Cities to become sustainable, livable and workable.
New ways of thinking about governance, funding, mobility, urban planning and design, construction and implementation of projects coupled with major advancements in technology like 5G, blockchain, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, data science, machine learning, renewable energy and more give promise of an uncertain but exciting future.
To learn and stay at the forefront of trends, projects, innovations, challenges and opportunities impacting what future African Cities will look likesSubscribe to stay informed.
Guests: Nasmera Buckus, Chief Operating Officer, Greater Tygerberg Partnership · Dr Shirley Zinn, Chair of the V&A Waterfront and Wesgro · Petro Myburgh, Senior Manager of Sustainability, V&A Waterfront · Carin Fouché, Innovation Lead: Future Fit Value Chains, Heineken Beverages
Topics: Corporate Impact and Community Engagement - Informal Economy - Sustainable Placemaking - Women in Leadership - Bellville and the Greater Tygerberg Precinct
Four women, one shared conviction: real change happens when corporate influence meets a real place with real people in it. This conversation brings together the GTP's Nasmera Buckus - who anchors the discussion in the lived reality of Bellville - alongside three corporate leaders from governance, precinct management and global innovation. The question they explore together: how does boardroom intent actually reach the street?
Eleven clean audits. South Africa's best secondary city. The Western Cape's best municipality. Drakenstein doesn't talk about good governance - they just do it, year after year. In this episode, City Manager Dr. Johan Leibbrandt unpacks the leadership, disciplines and culture that make consistent performance possible in one of South Africa's most recognised municipalities. Presented by Business Engineering
Many of South Africa's municipalities are under enormous pressure - and most people in the sector know it. Drawing on a paper he wrote titled The Logic of Local Government Finance, Anton Groenewald - Group Head of Regional Operations at the City of Tshwane and former municipal manager of both Swellendam and Midvaal - delivers one of the most direct and substantive accounts of why South African municipalities are failing, and exactly what it takes to fix them. This episode is brought to you by PhoenixERP from Business Engineering.
Built on Values: Governance, Digital Transformation and a Vision for Bergrivier | Innovation in Local Government Series
Presented by Business Engineering | Future Cities Africa
Bergrivier Municipality in the Western Cape has achieved 10 consecutive clean audits, 10 consecutive funded budgets, and is one of only 40 municipalities in South Africa participating in the UN's voluntary SDG review process. But this conversation goes well beyond the numbers.
Municipal Manager Advocate Hanlie Linde unpacks what actually makes Bergrivier work - from financial discipline and digital transformation to an extraordinary 12-year partnership with a Belgian twin city, and a community vision built around prosperity and dignity for all.
WHAT WE COVER
On sustaining good governance
Bergrivier's foundation is three equal partners: the professional administration, an elected council that makes difficult long-term decisions, and an organised public that holds both accountable. Strong oversight structures, ethical values and a culture of service excellence are lived daily - not stated on a wall.
On digital transformation
When Hanlie joined in 2012, the municipality had 16 unintegrated systems. Today Bergrivier uses PhoenixERP as its core financial system and the Collaborator document management platform from Business Engineering for daily operations. A citizen-facing app has been rolled out across all nine towns, and an interdepartmental ICT committee drives the smart city agenda incrementally - because rural municipalities must bring their communities along, not leave them behind.
On the twin city partnership with Heist-op-den-Berg, Belgium
Running for 12 years, the partnership is built on reciprocity - both municipalities learn from each other. A seven-year Waste Ambassadors Programme brought world-leading recycling and composting skills to Bergrivier. In return, Bergrivier has taught Belgium about public participation. A biannual youth exchange sends 10 learners in each direction, giving young people from the poorest families experiences that would otherwise have been unimaginable.
On embedding the SDGs into municipal planning
Bergrivier is reporting on four SDGs: No Poverty, Water and Sanitation, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Each is underpinned by a baseline, SWOT analysis and KPIs mainstreamed into quarterly performance assessments. Public meetings in all nine towns ask residents directly which of the 17 SDGs matters most to them.
On Bergrivier's vision
"A prosperous community where all want to live, work, learn and play in a dignified manner." Prosperous means happy, safe and educated - not wealthy. Dignity means the one fifth of families registered as indigent are not left behind. The word "all" is intentional: everyone who commits to those values is welcome.
To investors: Bergrivier is open for business.
To other municipalities: it is three equal partners doing hard work every day with clear roles, strong values and a shared vision.
Key Themes from the Discussion
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Stakeholder Participation Drawing from experience on cross-border projects like the Maputo Corridor, Hannes stresses that successful PPPs require early, genuine, and integrated stakeholder engagement (communities, businesses, government departments, media).
- It's not a one-way info dump - show willingness to adapt designs/processes based on feedback.
- Address "what's in it for them" (e.g., subcontracting, jobs).
- Harmonize legislation, operations, and processes across borders to avoid conflicts.
- Communities are sophisticated (including professionals like engineers/lawyers); involve them respectfully to avoid resistance.
- Direct, open, fact-based communication (including with media) builds the right perception and counters misinformation.
- Innovative Approaches for Urban Resilience and Sustainability Africa's rapid urbanization and congestion create big opportunities for smarter transport solutions. Tolcon is evolving beyond traditional tolls/weighbridges/ITS to address emerging needs via its renewable energy and software companies. Key innovations highlighted:
- Smart tolling (satellite-based, multi-lane free-flow, congestion/time-based pricing).
- Integration with navigation apps (e.g., Google Maps/Waze) for incentives to avoid peak congestion.
- Intelligent traffic management (adaptive traffic lights using real-time data). These reduce unnecessary congestion, improve efficiency, and help make cities more competitive and sustainable while tackling infrastructure funding gaps.
- Lessons for Future Urban Projects
- Proper project preparation is essential (feasibility studies, traffic/environmental assessments) to attract funders.
- Strong project structure: Harmonize cross-border elements and create unified implementing authorities where possible (as in Maputo Corridor).
- Prioritize local involvement for equitable benefits - make communities feel ownership, create jobs, and build local capacity rather than relying on external firms that "build and leave."
- Tolcon's Excitement and Future Role Hannes is optimistic about growing government willingness across Africa to develop infrastructure and close the competitiveness gap. Tolcon wants to contribute by:
- Leveraging its deep African understanding and experience.
- Delivering sustainable solutions with skill transfer, local employment/contractor use, and training - so countries become self-reliant.
- Avoiding dependency; aim for projects where locals can operate independently after Tolcon exits. This supports job creation, economic development, connected cities, and scalable transport corridors/urban mobility solutions. The company is eager to participate in the expanding pipeline of African projects, especially ahead of events like Infrastructure Africa 2026.
Overview of Tolcon Group
Tolcon Group is a leading South African provider of transport infrastructure management services, operating since 1985 as an ISO-accredited company. It consists of six operating companies and specializes in:
- Toll and weighbridge operations and maintenance
- Freeway/intelligent transport systems
- Route management and routine road maintenance
- Toll system development and supply
- Additional areas like renewable energy (solar) solutions, software development, and specialist electrical installations
- The company has 40 years of experience in South Africa (e.g., managing contracts for SANRAL and private concessionaires) and is expanding into Africa, with an established presence in Zambia and active exploration in countries like Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda. Tolcon positions itself as a trusted, integrity-driven African partner focused on sustainable growth, not just short-term projects.
Dive into the movement flipping Johannesburg's story from 'the city is finished' to 'watch this space'. In just two years Jozi My Jozi has lit up bridges, cleaned streets, built a full-size inner-city football field and signed a deal to revive the High Court precinct, all powered by citizens and smart partnerships.
Guest: Innocent Mabusela, Head of Stakeholder Relations and Communication at Jozi My Jozi
Host: Dan Claassen, Managing Director, Future Cities Africa
Welcome to the Local Government Innovation Series on Future Cities Africa, presented by Business Engineering. Explore how Swartland Municipality keeps topping national rankings for financial sustainability, ease of doing business, and digital innovation - from launching South Africa's first 'IDP in Your Pocket', to paperless land-use and building-plan portals that unlock rapid development, to turning a devastating 2020 ransomware attack into even stronger systems. Swartland is proof that a small municipality can lead the way. Guests from Swartland Local Municipality Joggie Scholtz - Municipal Manager Alwyn Zaayman - Senior Manager: Development Management Olivia Fransman - Senior Manager: Strategic Services Host Dan Claassen, Managing Director, Future Cities Africa
Dive in to what rapid urbanisation actually looks like on the ground: from the unique challenges of a 30-year-old democracy and a super-young population, to smarter-city solutions that actually work, future-proof planning, and how to deliver services to millions while building climate resilience – without bankrupting municipalities or repeating yesterday's mistakes.
Dan Claassen sits down with Bronwyn Williams, co-author of the explosive new book Survive the AI Apocalypse: A Guide for Solutionists. It calls the next decade a full-on reset: jobs evaporating, deepfakes everywhere, every old life script burnt to the ground… and a supernova of brand-new choices exploding open. A lot of people are freaking out – but what if this great shrinkage is actually our continent's biggest breakout moment ever?
Bronwyn's here to flip the fear into firepower. Five hard hitting questions: from turning panic into solutionist superpowers, to building future African cities where humans and AI amplify each other instead of one wiping out the other.
Presented by Business Engineering Guest: Dawie de Jager, Deputy Municipal Manager, Kouga Local Municipality Episode Focus: How Kouga went from financial distress in 2016 to becoming the best-performing municipality in the Eastern Cape (2025 SAPOA | Ratings Africa Awards) and achieving repeated clean audits. Key Takeaways:
- Turnaround Foundation (2016 onwards)
- Clean, ethical governance and strict financial discipline were non-negotiable
- Appointed competent, ethical people despite salary-cap challenges
- Strong consequence management for fraud and unethical behaviour
- Excellent CFOs enforced compliance with the MFMA led to Kouga's first clean audit and continuous improvement
- Performance Management & Oversight
- Cascaded performance agreements from top to bottom
- Introduced Ignite system with monthly tracking and live dashboards
- Strong political-administrative alignment and council oversight
- Infrastructure & Visible Results
- Fixed dilapidated bulk water & wastewater treatment works (e.g., state-of-the-art upgrades at KwaNomzamo)
- Massive road resealing program (targeting 71% of roads) + new gravel-to-tar projects
- Innovation in Service Delivery
- Smart technology on suction tankers, smart metering pilots, upgraded wastewater plants
- Central incident management system: call centre - job dispatch - photo proof - SMS notification - customer rates the service
- Ward-based WhatsApp groups, multilingual communication, online building-plan submissions
- Digital Transformation (Collaborator & Beyond)
- Collaborator platform streamlined document management, policy reviews, council resolutions, and agenda preparation
- PowerBI service-delivery dashboards give real-time ward-level insights
- Early AI exploration: internal search on documents, future WhatsApp AI assistant (with caution)
- Future Outlook
- Balancing cutting-edge tech with the human touch South Africans still value
- Embracing AI and smart tools proactively 'so we are not left behind'
Kouga's success recipe = ethical leadership + financial discipline + competent people + smart digital systems that make governance and service delivery transparent, fast, and accountable. A standout example for local government in South Africa.
Dive into the impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives of the Sanlam Foundation. This episode explores how Sanlam Foundation drives social and economic change through education, enterprise development, and financial literacy, while addressing challenges and fostering sustainable outcomes in urban nodes like Bellville.
Presented by the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, my guest in this episode is with Ray-ann Sedres, Head of Sanlam Foundation.
His Worship, Councillor, Prince, Thuso Moyo, Mayor of City of Victoria Falls, outlines the city's post-2020 infrastructure upgrades, community-driven tourism recovery strategies, robust digital platforms for transparent service delivery, and promising opportunities for partnerships to build a smart, green city by 2030.
The city, upgraded from town status in 2020, has launched a US$15 million WASH project—raising US$4.5 million through stands sales—to construct 5 million and 750,000-liter water reservoirs, improving supply despite infrastructure lags.
Tourism, employing 90% of residents, suffered severe COVID-19 setbacks with business closures, prompting strategies like small business stands in areas like Kishasa, youth skills training to curb substance abuse, and support for vulnerable groups.
Digital transformation is central to enhancing transparency, efficiency, and global accessibility: leveraging platforms like Facebook (for live-streaming updates), WhatsApp, Twitter, TikTok, a chatbot, and website for resident engagement; enabling seamless online payments via EcoCash and internet banking; and allowing remote applications for housing, tenders, and licenses - even for diaspora residents. A dedicated new planning department and submitted master plan further embed initiatives like digital signages, positioning the city as a tech-forward hub to attract international investors and streamline operations toward sustainability goals.
Partnerships with NGOs like PRI for city cleaning and MOUs with community leaders advance the 2030 vision of a smart green city - the cleanest by then -fostering investments like four to five new hotels.
Challenges include bureaucratic delays in ministry approvals, but no major political instability; the peaceful environment attracts global tourists and funds, prioritising tourism as one of Africa's seven wonders.
We discuss key initiatives driving change, including improving financial management and assurance in municipalities, prioritising performance management, advancing professionalisation, enhancing policy implementation, promoting sustainable change, and how the annual Local Government Conversations webinar series by Future Cities Africa fosters collaboration and improves municipal practices.
Uncover key lessons from Harare's growth and the role of ordinary people in driving urban change.
My guest today is Davison Muchadenyika, Senior Urban Specialist at the World Bank Group and author of The Making of an African City.
He's worked with many governments across Africa to build sustainable, inclusive cities.
Welcome to the Local Government Innovation Series on Future Cities Africa, presented by Business Engineering. Mayor Ralph Nyasha Maoneyi of Kariba Municipality, Zimbabwe, introduces Kariba as a tourism-driven town with a rich history linked to the Kariba Dam.
He discusses key service delivery initiatives, including the Polyclinic and school expansions, challenged by only 12% devolution fund disbursements, leading to local resource reliance.
The economic downturn and tourism decline are tackled with a revival strategy focusing on airport upgrades, road rehabilitation, and private-sector-led accommodation and adventure zones.
Digitally, Kariba innovates with a chatbot for complaints or requests, a GIS system for mapping, and a housing module for profiling, boosting transparency and planning.
Looking ahead, Maoneyi sees opportunities in water, energy partnerships, investment, and city-to-city diplomacy for smart, sustainable growth.
Bellville’s vibrant informal food market showcases its vital role in South Africa’s informal economy as we, presented by the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, explore traders’ challenges and innovative solutions like trading prototypes to create a scalable urban trading model. Presented by the Greater Tygerberg Partnership Episode Guests Rirhandzu Marivate, Programs Manager at the South African Urban Food and Farming Trust Jacqui Samson, professional planner and owner of J Samson Consultancy.
Episode Summary
The episode highlights Bellville as Cape Town’s second-largest CBD and a major transport interchange, attracting over 90,000 daily commuters. This bustling hub fosters a vibrant informal food trading system that provides accessible, culturally diverse food options, enhancing food security for residents and commuters.
The market’s informal traders form a symbiotic relationship with the formal retail sector, creating a dynamic supply-and-demand network that supports local businesses and commuters alike. Key challenges for traders include inadequate infrastructure (e.g., lack of storage, electricity, and sanitation), safety concerns, and cumbersome permitting processes.
The AfriFoodLinks project, in collaboration with the Greater Tygerberg Partnership, is addressing these through innovative solutions like prototyping food vending structures, improving waste management with black soldier fly facilities, and introducing capacity-building programs for food safety compliance. These initiatives aim to create dignified, hygienic, and sustainable trading environments.
The discussion also covers urban planning’s role in integrating innovations like cashless systems, mobile trading structures, and enhanced waste management to support traders. The Greater Tygerberg Partnership’s market management model and sustainability efforts, such as organic waste processing for composting, aim to empower traders to adopt greener practices. Co-design with vendors ensures these solutions are contextually appropriate, fostering trust and community ownership.
The episode concludes with reflections on the informal economy’s social ecosystem, where traders operate with a “social license” despite regulatory challenges. The Greater Tygerberg Partnership’s goal to become a knowledge hub offers a scalable model for supporting informal traders across South African cities, emphasising technology (e.g., e-services, AI, and Wi-Fi access) and stakeholder collaboration to enhance business operations and urban resilience.
Welcome to the Local Government Innovation Series on Future Cities Africa, presented by Business Engineering.
Nestled in the heart of Namaqualand, Kamiesberg is addressing rural challenges with innovative strategies, blending digital advancements and community-driven solutions.
Let’s dive into their journey of transformation, service delivery, and community connection!
Welcome to another insightful episode on Future Cities Africa. In this episode we’ll explore Our Future Cities’s Framework for Great Places, shaping vibrant, equitable African cities through place-led development. We cover its core components, real-world applications, community co-creation, policy influence, global insights, and a bold vision for Africa’s urban future. Rashiq Fataar, CEO of Our Future Cities, discusses the organisation's framework for creating vibrant, equitable African cities through place-led development. The framework consists of four core components: Place of Mind (functional spaces like transport hubs), Place of Heart (emotionally significant places), Design and Function (practical elements like seating and Wi-Fi), and People and Stewardship (active community involvement and management). These elements must work together, underpinned by an understanding of societal context, to create meaningful urban spaces. Rashiq shares real-world applications, such as the Regent Road project in Sea Point, where the framework revealed a need to enhance the "place of heart" despite strong design and function. He also highlights the role of informality as a strength in African cities, citing examples like vibrant informal markets and a drug harm reduction center in Durban that naturally became a placemaking hub. The framework informs policy advocacy by demonstrating practical solutions, such as pedestrian crossing art in Cape Town to improve safety, though Rashiq notes South Africa still lacks place-led thinking at a national level. Global insights from cities like Torino and New York have shaped the framework, emphasising the importance of density and quality public spaces, but it remains tailored to African contexts by starting with local societal conditions. Looking ahead, Rashiq envisions African cities evolving through inclusive placemaking, urging stakeholders to make placemaking "everyone’s work" and foster unusual collaborations to empower communities. The episode underscores the need for a holistic, community-driven approach to urban development in Africa.
Introduction
In this episode of the ‘Local Government Innovation Series’, the deputy Municipal Manager and ICT Manager of Kouga Municipality discuss their digital transformation journey, emphasising leadership strategies and improved service delivery.
Episode Overview
Welcome to the Local Government Innovation Series on Future Cities Africa, presented by Business Engineering. Over the past 18 months, Kouga has revolutionised its IT environment by adopting innovative technologies like drones for community safety, electronic bulk meter reading for electricity, and the Collaborator platform for document and policy management. These tools have improved transparency, service delivery, and operational efficiency.
Key initiatives include a new customer care system with WhatsApp integration, live service delivery dashboards, and digitised processes for building plans and GIS functions. The municipality has also prioritised cybersecurity and embraced AI to enhance data accessibility.
Leadership strategies focus on openness, with the mayor engaging the public through regular feedback sessions and live-streamed council meetings.
Despite challenges like change management and data integrity, Kouga is committed to a citizen-centric approach, ensuring inclusivity and trust through proactive, technology-driven governance.
In this episode of the ‘Local Government Innovation Series’, Mayor Trevino Forbes of Walvis Bay Municipality shares how they’re turning urban challenges into opportunities through sustainable development, digital transformation, and innovative governance strategies.
Episode Overview:
Welcome to the Local Government Innovation Series on Future Cities Africa, presented by Business Engineering.
In this episode, Mayor Trevino Forbes of Walvis Bay Municipality discusses how the municipality is addressing urban challenges through innovative and sustainable initiatives. Key highlights include the launch of a pilot green hydrogen plant aimed at powering clean cooking and transport fuel in the new Green Valley suburb. This suburb is part of a broader effort to decongest densely populated areas and create a climate-resilient community. Additionally, the municipality is partnering with entities to explore waste-to-energy solutions at its landfill site.
Mayor Forbes emphasises efforts to enhance service delivery despite challenges like the absence of a CEO (now resolved) and strained infrastructure, such as roads impacted by unusual rainfall in the desert town. A stormwater study has informed plans to integrate drainage systems into new developments. Community engagement is a priority, with open-door policies, WhatsApp channels, and public meetings ensuring residents’ voices shape governance and budgeting.
While digital transformation is currently limited, the municipality aims to automate processes and reduce paper reliance in its upcoming budget. Looking forward, Mayor Forbes sees opportunities in fostering an investment-friendly environment, twinning with regions like the Western Cape, and exploring water security and renewable energy solutions like desalination and solar power to position Walvis Bay as a leader in sustainable urban progress.
‘Pioneering a Greener Future: Inside Atlantis Special Economic Zone’s Vision for Sustainable Industry and Inclusive Growth’ is a special two-part series where we explore the future of green manufacturing and sustainable investment in Africa. Series Overview:
In this series, we dive into Atlantis SEZ's bold vision for the green economy and uncover how it’s building a resilient ecosystem for investors and industries alike.
We examine how this unique zone empowers green industries, supports ESG goals, and drives skills development for an inclusive, sustainable future. Whether you're an investor, a manufacturer, or a change-maker, discover how Atlantis SEZ is redefining industrial growth in Africa.
Episode Guest: Selwyn Willoughby, Executive: Integrated Ecosystem at Atlantis Special Economic Zone
‘Pioneering a Greener Future: Inside Atlantis Special Economic Zone’s Vision for Sustainable Industry and Inclusive Growth’ is a special two-part series where we explore the future of green manufacturing and sustainable investment in Africa. Series Overview:
In this series, we dive into Atlantis SEZ's bold vision for the green economy and uncover how it’s building a resilient ecosystem for investors and industries alike.
We examine how this unique zone empowers green industries, supports ESG goals, and drives skills development for an inclusive, sustainable future. Whether you're an investor, a manufacturer, or a change-maker, discover how Atlantis SEZ is redefining industrial growth in Africa.
Episode Guest: Matthew Cullinan, Chief Executive Officer at Atlantis Special Economic Zone
Cape Town is a thriving green economy innovation hub. The city includes and is surrounded by a range of role players actively participating in green innovation and climate resilience. Cape Town is a hub for green businesses, from renewable energy to sustainable tourism. The city has built a supportive ecosystem and offers access to a growing local market. Cape Town’s universities, research institutions, and private sector are driving cutting-edge solutions in cleantech. This episode is part of the "Invest in climate secure Cape Town series", a two-part series supported by the City of Cape Town Department of Enterprise & Investment, produced in partnership with City of Cape Town Risk and Resilience Department in the Future Planning and Resilience Directorate and GreenCape, featuring Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, City of Cape Town.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a key policy tool that forms part of the European Green Deal (EGD) to reduce net GHG emissions across Europe and abroad. Within this context, CBAM can be defined as a carbon border tax on embedded GHG emissions of carbon-intensive products imported into the EU, also from SA. It can be viewed as an opportunity to drive local businesses towards greater economic resilience and green innovation. In this series, we will unpack its implications on business, building business resilience, key opportunities, where to find support, and much more. This episode is part of the "Preparing Western Cape businesses for CBAM challenges and opportunities", a three-part series supported by the Western Cape Government Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, produced in partnership with GreenCape, featuring Karen Bosman, Head: Advocacy & Advisory, Wesgro.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a key policy tool that forms part of the European Green Deal (EGD) to reduce net GHG emissions across Europe and abroad. Within this context, CBAM can be defined as a carbon border tax on embedded GHG emissions of carbon-intensive products imported into the EU, also from SA. It can be viewed as an opportunity to drive local businesses towards greater economic resilience and green innovation. In this series, we will unpack its implications on business, building business resilience, key opportunities, where to find support, and much more. This episode is part of the "Preparing Western Cape businesses for CBAM challenges and opportunities", a three-part series supported by the Western Cape Government Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, produced in partnership with GreenCape, featuring Ilse van Schalkwyk - Chief Director, Economic Sector Support, within the branch Economic Operations in the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
The “Invest in Climate Secure Cape Town" series showcases how Cape Town is a) committed and accountable to investing into building climate resilience, b) globally recognised for climate leadership, resilience building in responding to climate crisis and building pro-active plans based on the learnings and c) known for its supportive and inclusive green economy business ecosystem. This episode is part of the "Invest in climate secure Cape Town series", a two-part series supported by the City of Cape Town Department of Enterprise & Investment, produced in partnership with City of Cape Town Risk and Resilience Department in the Future Planning and Resilience Directorate and GreenCape, featuring Gareth Morgan, Executive Director for Future Planning & Resilience, City of Cape Town
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a key policy tool that forms part of the European Green Deal (EGD) to reduce net GHG emissions across Europe and abroad. Within this context, CBAM can be defined as a carbon border tax on embedded GHG emissions of carbon-intensive products imported into the EU, also from SA. It can be viewed as an opportunity to drive local businesses towards greater economic resilience and green innovation. In this series, we will unpack its implications on business, building business resilience, key opportunities, where to find support, and much more. This episode is part of the "Preparing Western Cape businesses for CBAM challenges and opportunities", a three-part series Supported by the Western Cape Government Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, produced in partnership with GreenCape, featuring Gaylor Montmasson-Clair, Senior Economist at Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies.
Dive into the critical topic of social development in Bellville, explore the unique challenges facing this community and how initiatives like the MES Programme and VRCID are tackling issues like homelessness and poverty. Presented by The Greater Tygerberg Partnership
Dive into an illuminating report on the promising development of green hydrogen industries within Namakwa District Municipality. Explore how this emerging sector could transform the local economy and landscape, addressing both the significant potential benefits and the complex challenges faced.
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
It is possible to overcome the energy crisis in South Africa and build a sustainable energy future. Solutions do exist and some are leading the way.
In this episode we first look at how Msunduzi Municipality is dealing with the energy crisis whereafter we take a broad look at the Transformation of the Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa.
- Presented by Enpower Trading
The South African landscape and Electricity Supply Industry is changing rapidly, and as the market evolves, the incentive for municipalities to procure their own power becomes more evident.
Decarbonisation owing to climate change, is a key motivation to transition to green energy but as electricity costs accelerate and loadshedding increases, municipalities are forced to ‘future-proof’ their strategies in order to provide access to affordable, sustainable energy for all.
Show guests:
- Cyncol Sibiya, Msunduzi Municipality
- James Beatty, Chief Executive Officer at Enpower Trading
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
In this Future Cities Africa episode we explore the findings from Good Governance Africa's 2024 Governance Performance Index, examining local governance across South Africa’s 257 municipalities.
We discuss the effects of political instability on service delivery and leadership, the disparities in citizen satisfaction, and what can be done to improve municipal performance.
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
Effective waste management is crucial for preserving the environment and public health by minimizing pollution, preventing the spread of diseases, and conserving natural resources. It contributes to sustainable practices, reducing the overall ecological footprint and promoting a healthier, more resilient planet for future generations.
Presented in collaboration with The Greater Tygerberg Partnership, this Future Cities Africa episode is with Saliem Haider, Director of Waste Management at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning at the Western Cape Government and Candice Mostert, Founder and Director of Waste-ED.
We unravel the challenges, solutions, and the role of government and businesses in fostering efficient waste management practices.
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
Raldo Kruger, Technical Specialist for Green Finance and the Water Sector at GreenCape explains key financial investment opportunities, expected returns on investment, successful financing, due diligence measures, state-level incentives and the current state of municipal readiness to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in municipal Wastewater Treatment Works.
Overview:
GreenCape is a non-profit organisation that drives the widespread adoption of economically viable green economy solutions from South Africa.
They are working on a multi-stakeholder project with the financial support of the Green Climate Fund, implemented and managed by UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization, focused on pipeline development to deploy clean energy technology solutions in municipal wastewater treatment works of South Africa, providing readiness activities for the Green Climate Fund.
Ultimately this project aims to support the utilisation of climate finance in the municipal Wastewater Treatment Works space, where Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy applications can assist.
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
Jane Reddick, Programme Manager for Water & Agriculture at GreenCape explains the energy-intensive processes, proven technologies, considerations for successful implementation and the business case for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Works.
Overview:
GreenCape is a non-profit organisation that drives the widespread adoption of economically viable green economy solutions from South Africa.
They are working on a multi-stakeholder project with the financial support of the Green Climate Fund, implemented and managed by UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization, focused on pipeline development to deploy clean energy technology solutions in municipal wastewater treatment works of South Africa, providing readiness activities for the Green Climate Fund.
Ultimately this project aims to support the utilisation of climate finance in the municipal Wastewater Treatment Works space, where Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy applications can assist.
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
Ashton Mpofu, Expert Analyst for Water at GreenCape explains current municipal regulations, successful municipal projects, primary challenges, assessing economic feasibility, financing opportunities, and more relating to Energy Efficiency And Renewable Energy applications in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Works.
GreenCape is a non-profit organisation that drives the widespread adoption of economically viable green economy solutions from South Africa.
They are working on a multi-stakeholder project with the financial support of the Green Climate Fund, implemented and managed by UNIDO | United Nations Industrial Development Organization, focused on pipeline development to deploy clean energy technology solutions in municipal wastewater treatment works of South Africa, providing readiness activities for the Green Climate Fund.
Ultimately this project aims to support the utilisation of climate finance in the municipal Wastewater Treatment Works space, where Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy applications can assist.
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
Executive Mayor Paul Swart of Cape Agulhas Municipality shares the key elements to their success. From innovative technological advancements and digitisation strategies to fostering private sector collaboration, we explore how the municipality is actively working towards a growing and sustainable economy, addressing social challenges, and enhancing the quality of life in the municipality.
Presented in collaboration with Business Engineering
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
Presented in collaboration with Business Engineering. The Mossel Bay Local Municipality in South Africa has a great track record for its service to the community. It has in the past been named South Africa's most financially sustainable municipality. It has also been reported that Mossel Bay is the number one destination in the Western Cape for South Africans semigrating. Executive Mayor Dirk Kotzé of Mossel Bay Local Municipality discusses their commitment to digitisation, social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity. From innovative technological advancements and digitisation strategies to fostering private sector collaboration and ensuring resilient supply chains, we explore how the municipality is positioning itself for success in the face of challenges and opportunities. Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
It is possible to overcome the energy crisis in South Africa and build a sustainable energy future. Solutions do exist and some are leading the way. In this episode we first look at how the City of Ekurhuleni is dealing with the energy crisis whereafter we take a broader look at the Transformation of the Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa. Presented by Enpower Trading
The South African landscape and Electricity Supply Industry is changing rapidly, and as the market evolves, the incentive for municipalities to procure their own power becomes more evident.
Decarbonisation owing to climate change, is a key motivation to transition to green energy but as electricity costs accelerate and loadshedding increases, municipalities are forced to ‘future-proof’ their strategies in order to provide access to affordable, sustainable energy for all.
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
The South African landscape and Electricity Supply Industry is changing rapidly, and as the market evolves, the incentive for municipalities to procure their own power becomes more evident.
Decarbonisation owing to climate change, is a key motivation to transition to green energy but as electricity costs accelerate and loadshedding increases, municipalities are forced to ‘future-proof’ their strategies in order to provide access to affordable, sustainable energy for all.
It is possible to overcome the energy crisis in South Africa and build a sustainable energy future. Solutions do exist and some are leading the way. In this episode we first look at how the City of Cape Town is dealing with the energy crisis whereafter we take a broader look at the Transformation of the Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa. Guests: Kadri Nassiep, Executive Director for Energy at City of Cape Town James Beatty, Chief Executive Officer at Enpower Trading
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Digital transformation is revolutionizing the public sector, enhancing services, increasing efficiency, and fostering citizen engagement, ultimately shaping smarter and more connected communities.
Business Engineering is a leading consultancy on public sector strategy and transformation, in both local and national environments.
We explore who they are, how they think strategically to solve complex problems faced by the public sector, a new perspective on digital transformation in local government, and much more.
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
Presented in collaboration withBusiness Engineering
Listen or watch to explore:
The Overstrand Local Municipality in South Africa has been an Overall winner in the The Best Municipality Category which recognises a municipality that demonstrates commitment to citizen-centeredness, service-delivery excellence and good governance principles.
Executive Mayor Ald Annelie Rabie of Overstrand Municipality discuss their commitment to social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity.
From innovative technological advancements and digitisation strategies to fostering private sector collaboration and ensuring resilient supply chains, we explore how the municipality is positioning itself for success in the face of challenges and opportunities.
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
Dr Botshabelo Maja is Deputy Director-General at the National School of Government in SA. We explore ways of navigating the complex landscape of compliance and innovation in the public sector.
Listen or watch to explore:
- The biggest challenges facing public servants in complying with established legislation, regulations, and systems while also exercising proper discretion and innovation in solving routine and complex delivery problems at the local government level.
- Strategies that can be implemented to address these challenges and ensure that public servants are able to balance compliance with innovation and discretion in their work.
- The role training and education play in ensuring that public servants are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to comply with established legislation and regulations while also being able to exercise discretion and innovation in their work.
- His vision for the future of public service delivery in South Africa, and how we can ensure that public servants are able to navigate the complex landscape of compliance and innovation to deliver the best possible outcomes for citizens.
Join the Future Cities Africa Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ikZ-Uz
Ald James Vos is Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth in the City of Cape Town. We explore the better. bellville. together. campaign, a City-funded place-making and economic development initiative.
Presented in collaboration with The Greater Tygerberg Partnership
Listen or watch to explore:
- The City of Cape Town’s vision for the Bellville CBD.
- The catalyst that galvanised support for the Better Bellville Together Campaign.
- Why this campaign has been launched now.
- How the public and private sector can collaborate, with a specific focus on public-private partnerships.
- How this campaign for Bellville can be used across the rest of Cape Town.
- How the Better Bellville campaign has begun to show tangible renewal in this important city node.
- How to take this successful approach to other areas across the city that need the same commitment to urban renewal?
Prof Zwelinzima Ndevu is Director of the School of Public Leadership (SPL) at Stellenbosch University. We explore the most pressing challenges facing local government, advancements in technology and its impacts, advice to young professionals who aspire to make a difference in local government, and much more.
Listen or watch to explore:
- What inspired him to pursue a career in public administration and how his journey has been so far.
- The most pressing challenges facing local government in South Africa, and how can they be addressed.
- The most effective ways to promote transparency and accountability in public administration.
- How advancements in technology, such as the rise of artificial intelligence and big data, are impacting the field of public administration and local government.
- Advice to young professionals who aspire to make a difference in public administration and local government.
- Success stories and initiatives that he has spearheaded in his career, and how they have contributed to improving public administration and local government in South Africa.
- How they compare to other schools of government on a global scale.
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The redevelopment of Tygerberg Hospital has long been envisaged to improve infrastructure for the people of the Western Cape. Thorpe Koorts explains how maximising public-private partnerships can rebuild health infrastructure, the importance of collaboration between stakeholders, future socio-economic benefits for the broader community, and much more.
Presented in collaboration with The Greater Tygerberg Partnership.
Listen or watch to explore:
- Guest: Thorpe Koorts, Acting Project Officer for the Tygerberg Central Hospital PPP in the Department of Health & Wellness at the Western Cape Government.
- Brief overview of the Tygerberg hospital redevelopment project.
- The thinking around the project and how PPPs like this benefit major projects.
- The challenges around progress in a project of this scale, despite the clear urgency from a healthcare perspective.
- The importance of collaboration between stakeholders including the three spheres of government, the private sector and civil society organisations like the Greater Tygerberg Partnership.
- The future socio-economic benefits for the broader community around the hospital.
Visit: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Dr Vuyiwe Tsako is a Local Government Expert with a sound knowledge of administration. We discuss the need to redefine local government culture, key challenges, if true relationships really matter, and much more.
Listen or watch to explore:
- An assessment of the current state of local government in South Africa, particularly in terms of leadership.
- The biggest challenges facing local government today, and how these challenges impact leadership at the local level.
- Opportunities for improvement, particularly in terms of leadership and governance.
- Specific steps to address these challenges facing local government in South Africa.
- How local government leaders can work collaboratively with other stakeholders, such as civil society organizations, to improve governance and service delivery at the local level.
- The role citizens must play in improving local government, and what they can do to hold their local leaders accountable and promote positive change in their communities.
Visit: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
It is possible to overcome the energy crisis in South Africa and build a sustainable energy future. Solutions do exist and some are leading the way. In this episode we first look at how George is dealing with the energy crisis whereafter we take a broad look at the Transformation of the Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa. Addressing the Energy Crisis in South Africa: Episode 1 Presented by Enpower Trading
South Africa is in the midst of a landmark power crisis which has resulted in devastating short-term and long-term effects on South Africa’s economy and its people.
With increased loadshedding and the rising and crippling cost of electricity, municipalities play an integral role in helping to resolve the energy crisis by providing alternative, innovative solutions to allow the South African Electricity Supply Industry and the their economies to regain lost ground and hopefully, put the country on a path to accelerated economic growth.
Featured in this episode: Alderman Leon Van Wyk, Executive Mayor at George Municipality Bongani Mandla, Director of Electrotechnical Services at George Municipality.James Beatty, Chief Executive Officer at Enpower Trading.
Listen or watch to understand and explore:
- What prompted George Municipality to look at alternative energy sources as a possible solution.
- The strategy to implement these alternatives.
- ‘Frameworks’ George Municipality has put in place to ensure the grid is open and accessible.
- If the municipality sees increased competition as a threat.
- How the municipality plans to retain revenue or increase revenue if competition is increasing.
- The benefits an open market will have to the customer and how this impact the broader community and drive local economic development.
- The technical challenges as well as policy, legal and regulatory reforms required to make wheeling possible.
- What success will look like over the next few years in dealing with energy crisis in George.
- The role Enpower Trading will play in the transformation of the Electricity Supply Industry.
- The value the trader brings in trying to accelerate new generation capacity onto the national and municipal grids.
- The concept of Grid-centric vs. Energy Centric and the misconceptions surrounding wheeling.
- How can ensure that municipalities don’t lose money.
- How municipalities should go about “future-proofing” their services to allow for local economic development.
Visionary Leadership is crucial to the sustainable growth of our cities and businesses as responsible leadership affects both the present and the future.
This episode explores:
- The key characteristics of a visionary leader.
- What our leaders are not getting right when leading their municipalities and organisations, what needs to change and how change can happen.
- The focus of a leader in the Administration, especially in turbulent times.
- How he manages the complexity of his daily responsibilities and how he prioritises what is done first.
- He he will define his success.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Dr. Hanson Chishimba is a Researcher and Lecturer of Development Economics at the University of Zambia. I holds a phd in Governance with specialisation in Public Finance. Hanson is also the author of the book. Equalisation Transfers and Service Delivery in Local Authorities in Zambia.
This episode dives into Improving City Service Delivery and Governance in Zambia. How national and city managers are trying to overcome the challenges of inadequate service delivery which is largely attributed to inadequate technical, administrative and financial capacities of cities.
Young peoples' experiences, ideas, choices and preferences help shape the future of cities.
Chuma Mbambo is an Urban Planner with experience working at the SA Cities Network, as a Smart Cities Research Consultant for The World Bank, and more. She has a Masters Degree in Urban Management and Development, which specialised in Infrastructure and Smart Cities.
Chuma believes that the interventions required to spatially and economically transform South African Human Settlements, particularly, previously disadvantaged black township areas, lie in the hands of their youth.
Yash Ramkolowan is Managing Director at DNA Economics.
We explore key challenges and solutions to policy design and valuation, emerging disruptors and opportunities, the digital revolution, how to make cities more ‘investable’, how municipalities can stay relevant in the future, the current status of AfCFTA and much more.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Regina Opondo is Senior Community Principal at Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) in Kenya, and part of an exciting team of urban designers and action researchers who have worked on some exciting community-driven urban interventions across Nairobi and other cities. This episode explores interesting and exciting urban interventions, like Kibera, that are happening in Kenya and revitalising green spaces in Nairobi's informal settlements.
Towards sustainable and smart mobility this episode of the MOVE Africa show is with Sasheen Rajkumar. He is a SANRAL project manager, engineer, creative problem solver, big-picture thinker, and futurist that actively thinks about solving local and global problems. Listen or watch to explore:
- His definition of smart mobility and the key elements of smart mobility.
- Biggest challenges currently holding back progress in enabling smarter, sustainable mobility.
- How these challenges can be addressed right now.
- Innovative thinking at SANRAL. Key projects and future thinking.
- The important of industry collaboration and how to enable more of it.
- How actual behavioural change can happen.
- Fresh thinking and new approaches currently 'in progress' to keep cities accessible without compromising residents' quality of life or the environment.
- Emerging technologies that will disrupt the industry and cities.
- When and how the impacts of these emerging technologies will be seen in our daily lives.
- His vision for the future of cities and how we can make it happen.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Phila Lubisi is an ambitious young professional with a great passion for young people. He is currently a Key Account Manager at Altron Karabinna. Listen or watch to explore:
- Overview of his career and role at Altron Karabina and why it is important.
- His experience in peer to peer mentorship and how it is beneficial.
- Key takeaways from Govtech 2022. Progress being made.
- The main challenges to digitization in the public sector and what is still slowing down progress.
- His approach to continues learning and staying relevant.
- How young people can remain hopeful.
- How he make sense of what is going on in South Africa and the world.
- His vision for our future cities, and how to make it happen.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Peter Griffiths is a Global Urban Futures Expert who helps people see and imagine cities differently. In this Master Class on city branding we dive into why brand is so critically important and how to leverage it for maximum impact, how brand impacts people’s lives, African cities to be treated as peers internationally, and so much more. Listen or watch to explore:
- Why we should think about brand when cities already have so many other challenges to solve.
- Science and data to prove that brand really matters for cities.
- The fascinating correlation between city ‘mentions’ and GDP.
- Exactly how brand impacts on people's lives.
- The South African Cities Network (SACN) city branding toolkit and further recommendations.
- What cities and towns can be doing more of when promoting themselves and how to think strategically.
- How Paris and London partnered to increase footfall by 10%.
- Impact of the pandemic on city branding.
- How cities can stay relevant given new forms of competition arising that can drive people out of cities.
- Asking how your city is likely to be seen from the outside when people learn about it for the first time.
- What African cities learn from other parts of the world.
- Why African cities should be seen as peers internationally.
- Advice for African cities that want to elevate their brand with more impact.
- His vision for the future of cities.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Bronwyn WIlliams is an Economist, Trend Analyst, Futurist and Partner at Flux Trends. She shares the key trends that will impact cities, businesses, and citizens in 2023. We dive into Greenlining, Georgism, Liveable cities, the future of technology and cities, and more trends for 2023. Listen or watch to explore:
- Greenlining: What it is and its potential impacts.
- The reappearance of an ideology called Georgism. New ideas around how we value things.
- The perfect wealth tax.
- Liveable cities and how we can extend the conversation.
- How the liveable city concept apply to townships or informal settlements.
- References to the work of Jane Jacobs.
- Trends around the future of technology and cities. (AI, ChatGPT, and more)
- How governments will use the Metaverse to have citizens engage with them and improve services.
- How technology and AI will be integrated into our lives in a positive way.
- 1 thing she believes will happen this year that many people don’t want to happen.
- The Future Starts Here in Africa: A first of its kind Innovation Tour for 2023, by Flux Trends.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Sandile Mbatha is a Senior Manager responsible for Research and Policy Advocacy in eThekwini Municipality. We discuss how eThekwini is creating data driven, smart, liveable and caring cities.
Listen or watch to explore:
- His career and background.
- How he defines a ‘Smart City’ in the African context.
- Why data is important for Smart Cities and how it should be used.
- How to make sense of large amounts of complex data.
- Challenges keeping us from data driven, liveable and caring cities.
- How these challenges can be tackled.
- Innovative Smart City projects at eThekwini Municipality.
- Lessons learned from international experiences.
- How a bit of intellectual arrogance can help you move forward.
- His vision for the future of cities.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Jennifer Mirembe is Chair: Education Committee at the Urban Design Institute of South Africa. We discuss: Urban designers towards healthy cities.
Listen or watch to explore:
- About the Urban Design Institute of South Africa.
- What is meant by ‘Healthy Cities’.
- What are currently making our cities unhealthy.
- How current challenges can be addressed.
- Cities currently getting it right with regards to moving toward a healthier city.
- The important link between urban design and public health.
- The importance of good urban design in South African Cities.
- Her vision for the future of cities and how we can get there.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Michael Gamwo is Head of the Africa at Wesgro. In episode 7 of the 10 episode Wesgro Series on Future Cities Africa we discuss: The Future of Doing Business in Africa
Listen or watch to explore:
- Overview of his role at Wesgro and why it is important
- The future of ‘ doing’ business in Africa
- Key opportunities and challenges with regards to doing business Africa
- Global trends in terms of interest in the African economy
- The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opportunities and challenges
- The Western Cape’s competitive advantage when it comes to doing business in Africa and future proofing it.
Visit. www futurecitiesafrica.com
Kim Walsh is Managing Director at PDG - a public sector consulting firm that supports decision-making in the public interest. We discuss the state of municipal finances in South Africa in 2022.
Listen or watch to explore:
- The state of municipal finances in 2022 in South Africa
- Internal and external factors causing this state
- What can be done to improve of this state
- How municipalities can stay relevant in the future
- New revenue sources for municipalities
- New financial model for municipalities
- Her vision for future cities
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Dale Deacon is a creative technologist with a focus on 3D, extended reality (XR), and Web3. We discuss the Metaverse and extended reality’s potential impact on cities and what an average person’s day can look like.
Listen or watch to explore:
- Overview of his background and role at Team Epic.
- Extended reality (XR) as an umbrella term used to describe immersive technologies that can merge the physical and virtual worlds. Including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) plus those that are still to be created.
- About the Africa XR report: a community initiative to map our extended reality ecosystem for the first time, the result of a 15 month long survey. Download it here
- What exactly is ‘The Metaverse’ and why should people care about it.
- How governments can get involved in the these extended realities.
- Latest trends in Metaverse strategies.
- Roadblocks ahead and potential dangers.
- What an average person’s day can look like in the not so distant future.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Dr Ross Harvey is Director of Research and Programmes at Good Governance Africa. We discuss major governance challenges Africa is facing, potential solutions, how change can happen, emerging disruptors and if there is a glimmer of hope.
Listen or watch to explore:
- Overview of his background and role at Good Governance Africa (GGA) and why it is important.
- The importance of partnerships and collaboration.
- Improving citizens’ lives through improved governance performance.
- Major governance challenges Africa is facing and how GGA is positively impacting change.
- His views on the Kenya’n elections with regard to the impact on governance structures.
- What is holding back effective governance in Africa, how can it can be tackled.
- Emerging disruptors over the next decade.
- Given great doubt in the ability of the current African and global governance order to respond to the challenges of our times. Is there is glimmer of hope?
- His vision for the future of cities.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Towards sustainable and smart mobility, this episode of the Move Africa show is with Chris Kost, Africa Programme Director at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).
Listen or watch to explore:
- Overview of his role at ITDP and why it is important.
- Major industry challenges and potential solutions.
- Examples of African cities ‘getting it right’.
- Why a car centric approach to urban planning and development is still the main approach.
- Emerging technologies and innovative projects in the mobility space.
- How actual behavioural change can happen.
- Is competition between different transport modes a barrier to uptake and move towards alternative modes?
- His vision vision for the future of cities.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Khanyisa Mabala is Associate Quantity Surveyor and MEPF Lead for Africa at AECOM. She is passionate about the development of young and aspiring candidates within the construction sector.
Listen or watch to explore:
- Intro to her role at AECOM and why it is important.
- Major challenges in the sectors she work in and how it is being addressed.
- Her definition of a Smarty City in the Africa context.
- The magic bullet to more community involvement in advancing to the so called ‘Smart City’.
- How, as a young South African, she is making sense of what is going on in the country and the world.
- Her vision for future cities, potential barriers and solutions.
- Advice to young people to remain hopeful of the future.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Paul Swart is Executive Mayor at Cape Agulhas Municipality. We discuss examples of visionary leadership, being a family, their smart city vision, innovative solutions to service delivery, long term thinking, managing complexities, and more.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Business Engineering
Listen or watch to explore:
- An era of renewed hope.
- The key characteristics of a visionary leader, with examples.
- What our leaders are not getting right when leading their municipalities and organisations, what needs to change and how change can happen.
- How the role of a leader has changed in recent years.
- How he manages the complexity of his daily responsibilities and how he prioritises what is done first.
- Cape Agulhas Municipality’s Smart City Strategy.
- Key challenges and service delivery that are being addressed with innovative and smart solutions.
- Long term thinking and planning.
- His vision for the future of Cape Agulhas.
- How he ensures effective interface between political office and administration. To ensure clear roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for each respective structure.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Ruby Swigelaar is Head of the Agribusiness Investment Promotion Unit at Wesgro. In episode 6 of the 10 episode Wesgro Series on Future Cities Africa we discuss: Food for Thought: The Future of Agribusiness.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Wesgro
Listen or watch to understand:
- Breakdown of her role at Wesgro.
- The important role Wesgro plays within the sector.
- The future of agribusiness.
- How industries in agribusiness are innovating globally.
- How industries in agribusiness are innovating in the Western Cape.
- The Western Cape’s key markets for agribusiness produce and products.
- The Western Cape’s competitive advantage when it comes to agribusiness.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Ruby Swigelaar is Head of the Agribusiness Investment Promotion Unit at Wesgro. In episode 6 of the 10 episode Wesgro Series on Future Cities Africa we discuss: Food for Thought: The Future of Agribusiness.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Wesgro
Listen or watch to understand:
- Breakdown of her role at Wesgro.
- The important role Wesgro plays within the sector.
- The future of agribusiness.
- How industries in agribusiness are innovating globally.
- How industries in agribusiness are innovating in the Western Cape.
- The Western Cape’s key markets for agribusiness produce and products.
- The Western Cape’s competitive advantage when it comes to agribusiness.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Paulina Mamogobo is a Director of Trade and Investment Promotion at KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
Listen or watch to explore:
- Intro to her role at KZNEDTEA and why it is important.
- Major challenges in the sectors she work in and how it is being addressed.
- Her approach to solving challenges in her professional life.
- How she prioritises what is most important.
- The importance of having a curious mind.
- Her approach to continues learning and how she stays on top of trends and new developments.
- Habits required to stay relevant in the workplace.
- How, as a young South African, she is making sense of what is going on in the country and the world.
- Her vision for future cities, potential barriers and solutions.
- Advice to young people to remain hopeful of the future.
About the Bright Young Minds Show on Future Cities Africa
Africa has the youngest population in the world. By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world's youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa. Young peoples' experiences, ideas, choices and preferences help shape the future of cities. The ‘Bright Young Minds show’ gives a voice to some of the brightest young minds to share their thought leadership, how they solve problems, their vision for future cities, how we can achieve this vision, and give hope to a younger generation.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Paulina Mamogobo is a Director of Trade and Investment Promotion at KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.
Listen or watch to explore:
- Intro to her role at KZNEDTEA and why it is important.
- Major challenges in the sectors she work in and how it is being addressed.
- Her approach to solving challenges in her professional life.
- How she prioritises what is most important.
- The importance of having a curious mind.
- Her approach to continues learning and how she stays on top of trends and new developments.
- Habits required to stay relevant in the workplace.
- How, as a young South African, she is making sense of what is going on in the country and the world.
- Her vision for future cities, potential barriers and solutions.
- Advice to young people to remain hopeful of the future.
About the Bright Young Minds Show on Future Cities Africa
Africa has the youngest population in the world. By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world's youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa. Young peoples' experiences, ideas, choices and preferences help shape the future of cities. The ‘Bright Young Minds show’ gives a voice to some of the brightest young minds to share their thought leadership, how they solve problems, their vision for future cities, how we can achieve this vision, and give hope to a younger generation.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Felix Kariba is an urban and regional development expert with broad experience supporting urban governance and formulation of development policies and strategies, as a practitioner and researcher for international organisations, local and national governments, the private sector, and non-profit organisations.
Listen or watch to explore:
- Intro to his background, past work at the Cities Alliance, and more.
- The biggest challenge facing Africa’s youth and how it can be addressed. [60% of Africans today are under 25 and approx 11million young African’s are unemployed while the job market can only produce 3.7million jobs annually].
- Ensuring we leave no one behind.
- How African youth should be groomed to enable them to have the right skills set to contribute to the development of the continent.
- His approach to continues learning and how he stays on top of trends and new developments.
- How, as a young Kenyan, he is making sense of what is going on in Kenya and the world.
- His vision for future cities, potential barriers and solutions.
- Advice to young people to remain hopeful of the future.
About the Bright Young Minds Show on Future Cities AfricaAfrica has the youngest population in the world. By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world's youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa.
Young peoples' experiences, ideas, choices and preferences help shape the future of cities.
The ‘Bright Young Minds show’ gives a voice to some of the brightest young minds to share their thought leadership, how they solve problems, their vision for future cities, how we can achieve this vision, and give hope to a younger generation.
Youth is the future of African cities.
Visit: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Felix Kariba is an urban and regional development expert with broad experience supporting urban governance and formulation of development policies and strategies, as a practitioner and researcher for international organisations, local and national governments, the private sector, and non-profit organisations.
Listen or watch to explore:
- Intro to his background, past work at the Cities Alliance, and more.
- The biggest challenge facing Africa’s youth and how it can be addressed. [60% of Africans today are under 25 and approx 11million young African’s are unemployed while the job market can only produce 3.7million jobs annually].
- Ensuring we leave no one behind.
- How African youth should be groomed to enable them to have the right skills set to contribute to the development of the continent.
- His approach to continues learning and how he stays on top of trends and new developments.
- How, as a young Kenyan, he is making sense of what is going on in Kenya and the world.
- His vision for future cities, potential barriers and solutions.
- Advice to young people to remain hopeful of the future.
About the Bright Young Minds Show on Future Cities AfricaAfrica has the youngest population in the world. By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world's youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa.
Young peoples' experiences, ideas, choices and preferences help shape the future of cities.
The ‘Bright Young Minds show’ gives a voice to some of the brightest young minds to share their thought leadership, how they solve problems, their vision for future cities, how we can achieve this vision, and give hope to a younger generation.
Youth is the future of African cities.
Visit: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Towards sustainable and smart mobility, this episode of the Move Africa show on Future Cities Africa is with Bongani Mthombeni-Möller, Director for Smart Mobility at Royal HaskoningDHV.
Listen or watch to explore:
- Her career to date.
- Biggest challenges currently holding back progress in enabling smarter, sustainability mobility.
- How these challenges can and currently are being addressed.
- Why industry collaboration make so much sense, but isn’t happening at the rate it should.
- The need for a comprehensive integrated master plan.
- How actual behavioural change can happen.
- Fresh thinking and new approaches currently ‘’in progress’’ to keep cities and ports accessible without compromising residents’ quality of life or the environment.
- Emerging technologies like electric vehicles, green hydrogen, and more.
- Her view on the key characteristics of a visionary and responsible leader.
- Her vision for the future of cities and how we can make it happen.
About the Move Africa show on Future Cities AfricaFaced with fast-growing urbanisation and motorisation rates, providing a sustainable response to Africa’s growing urban transport and mobility needs will be a struggle for most African cities.
Towards sustainable and smart mobility, the Move Africa show gets into the minds of thought leaders and decision makers to explore challenges, opportunities, key actions, best practice and critical thinking to help Africa move forward.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Towards sustainable and smart mobility, this episode of the Move Africa show on Future Cities Africa is with Bongani Mthombeni-Möller, Director for Smart Mobility at Royal HaskoningDHV.
Listen or watch to explore:
- Her career to date.
- Biggest challenges currently holding back progress in enabling smarter, sustainability mobility.
- How these challenges can and currently are being addressed.
- Why industry collaboration make so much sense, but isn’t happening at the rate it should.
- The need for a comprehensive integrated master plan.
- How actual behavioural change can happen.
- Fresh thinking and new approaches currently ‘’in progress’’ to keep cities and ports accessible without compromising residents’ quality of life or the environment.
- Emerging technologies like electric vehicles, green hydrogen, and more.
- Her view on the key characteristics of a visionary and responsible leader.
- Her vision for the future of cities and how we can make it happen.
About the Move Africa show on Future Cities AfricaFaced with fast-growing urbanisation and motorisation rates, providing a sustainable response to Africa’s growing urban transport and mobility needs will be a struggle for most African cities.
Towards sustainable and smart mobility, the Move Africa show gets into the minds of thought leaders and decision makers to explore challenges, opportunities, key actions, best practice and critical thinking to help Africa move forward.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Leah Moodaley is a Communications Practitioner and Content Developer with nine years' multidisciplinary experience, predominantly within the public sector. She is currently Communications and Stakeholder Relations Officer at Coega Development Corporation.
Listen or watch to understand:
- Overview of her role at Coega Development Corporation (CDC) and why it is important.
- Challenges she face in her work as a communicator in the public sector.
- Solutions to these challenges and what is actively being done to solve them.
- Her approach to solving challenges in her professional life.
- How she prioritises what is most important.
- Her approach to continues learning and how she stays on top of trends and new developments.
- How, as a young South African, she is making sense of what is going on in the country and the world.
- Her vision for our future cities, potential barriers and solutions.
- Advice to young people to remain hopeful of the future.
About the Bright Young Minds Show on Future Cities AfricaAfrica has the youngest population in the world. By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world's youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa.
Young peoples' experiences, ideas, choices and preferences help shape the future of cities.
The ‘Bright Young Minds show’ gives a voice to some of the brightest young minds to share their thought leadership, how they solve problems, their vision for future cities, how we can achieve this vision, and give hope to a younger generation.
Youth is the future of African cities.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Visionary Leader Show on Future Cities Africa
Leslie Ndawana is Principal Officer and Chief Executive Officer at the National Fund for Municipal Workers (NFMW). The fund has approx R23billion of assets under management.
Listen or watch for insights on:
- Overview of his career and role at NFMW.
- The key characteristics of a visionary leader.
- What our public sector leaders are not getting right when leading their municipalities.
- What needs to change and how change can happen.
- Thinking outside of the box.
- How the role of a leader has changed in recent years, especially since the pandemic.
- The difference between complex and complicated.
- How he manages the complexity of his daily responsibilities and how he prioritises what is done first.
- Having a compelling vision and the ability to take charge.
- How he will define his success at the end of his career at NFMW.
- Responsible leadership.
- His vision for the future of cities.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Young peoples' experiences, ideas, choices and preferences help shape the future of cities.
This episode of the Bright Young Minds Show on Future Cities Africa is with Celiwe Mabaso, a seasoned communications and sustainability professional with a specialisation in community development and impact investment. Currently working as the Senior social performance manager for BTE Renewables.
Listen or watch to understand:
- Overview of her role at BTE Renewables and why her work is important.
- Major challenges she faces in her work and sectors they operate in.
- How she tackles these challenges.
- How she measures the success of the projects she is involved in.
- An approach to measuring improvements in behavioural change.
- The key steps and requirements to creating thriving local economies.
- How, as a young South African, she is making sense of what is going on in the country and the world.
- Her vision for our future cities, potential barriers and solutions.
- Advice to young people to remain hopeful of the future.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Young peoples' experiences, ideas, choices and preferences help shape the future of cities.
This episode of the Bright Young Minds Show on Future Cities Africa is with Celiwe Mabaso, a seasoned communications and sustainability professional with a specialisation in community development and impact investment. Currently working as the Senior social performance manager for BTE Renewables.
Listen or watch to understand:
- Overview of her role at BTE Renewables and why her work is important.
- Major challenges she faces in her work and sectors they operate in.
- How she tackles these challenges.
- How she measures the success of the projects she is involved in.
- An approach to measuring improvements in behavioural change.
- The key steps and requirements to creating thriving local economies.
- How, as a young South African, she is making sense of what is going on in the country and the world.
- Her vision for our future cities, potential barriers and solutions.
- Advice to young people to remain hopeful of the future.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Erica Joubert is Head of Export Promotion, Joshua Palm is Assistant Export Manager and Jean Scheltema is Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Wesgro. In episode 5 of the 10 episode Wesgro Series on Future Cities Africa we discuss: Made in the Cape - Innovation in Export Promotion.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Wesgro
Listen or watch to understand:
- How Wesgro supports Western Cape exports.
- Why exports are important in general.
- Why it is important for an agency like Wesgro to do what it does.
- How the pandemic and lockdowns effected exporters and Wesgro’s ability to facilitate exports from the province.
- How Wesgro’s export team responded to the challenges caused by the pandemic.
- The Cape Trade Portal and how it is positioning the Western Cape as a sought after source market.
- The Made in the Cape campaign.
- The future of Made in the Cape and vision for the next 10 years.
- Lessons learned and how the pandemic has changed the way Wesgro operate and offer export facilitation services going forward post pandemic.
- The Western Cape’s competitive advantage when it comes to exporting.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Sean Bennet is Group Executive for NEXTEC, an entity of the EOH group. We discuss how NEXTEC helps in building smarter African cities.
Listen or watch to understand:
- Sean’s definition of a Smart City in the African context.
- How cities can better leverage technology to make cities smarter, enable economic transformation and help make cities more inclusive.
- SA’s world class connectivity.
- Lack of efficient digital infrastructure in secondary cities/towns and townships, what is currently holding back progress and what success will look like.
- How blockchain could overnight make corruption virtually impossible and give the world renewed confidence in the African continent.
- One thing Sean would change if he had a magic wand
- Progress expected in the Smart City space over the next few years.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Kurtis Lockhart is Acting Executive Director and Head of Research at The Charter Cities Institute (CCI). We discuss New Cities With New Rules: The Rise of African Charter Cities.
Listen or watch to understand:
- About The Charter Cities Institute (CCI).
- What Charter Cities are and how the idea came about.
- The CCI model for Charter Cities and how if differers from the initial model of economist Paul Romer.
- Reforming institutions in a deep way that is necessary.
- How we know that these cities will actually work.
- How Public Private Partnerships can make it work.
- Examples of Charter Cities. [Dubai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Singapore]
- How a Charter City is different from a special economic zone, free port or other special jurisdiction.
- How Charter Cities can help solve some major challenges that Africa is facing. [Legal, Financial, Technical Capacity]
- The disciplining affect and advantage of political competition.
- The biggest challenge and risk in creating charter cities in Africa.
- How this risk can be mitigated.
- Africa's Next 50 Cities Coalition (NXT50). A global initiative to support the development of new African cities.
- The possibilities and opportunities presented by the rapid growth of urbanisation in Africa.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Sebekedi Motlhabane (Mo) Koloi is Greenfield Investment Portfolio Manager for Technology at Wesgro. In episode 4 of the 10 episode Wesgro Series on Future Cities Africa we discuss: Building a Globally Competitive Tech Hub.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Wesgro
Listen or watch to understand:
- Breakdown of his role at Wesgro.
- Tech ecosystems.
- How the Cape Town / Western Cape tech ecosystem stand up to the rest of the world.
- Competition between different areas (Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Saldanha, etc.) within the Western Cape.
- Why competition between different areas in the Western Cape is good and how it enables them to draw even more robust value propositions for investors.
- What exactly draws Tech investors to the Western Cape.
- The vital ingredients for the development of a competitive tech ecosystem.
- Why it is important, from a government and from an economic growth point of view, to support the development of a competitive tech industry.
- Levers the government have to support the development of a competitive tech industry both at a provincial and national level.
- Companies and Institutions mentioned; Jumu, Yoco, Luno, WhereIsMyTransport, GetSmarter, Amazon Web Services, University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape, University of Stellenbosch, Cape IT Initiative, Silicon Cape, Stellenbosch Network).
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Lisa Johansson is Green Economy Investment & Finance Liaison at Wesgro & GreenCape. Jarrod Lyon is Business Development Executive at Atlantis Special Economic Zone for Green Technologies.
In episode 3 of the 10 episode Wesgro Series on Future Cities Africa we discuss: Attracting Investment Into the Green Economy and the Atlantis SEZ.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Wesgro
Listen or watch to understand:
- The investment promotion ecosystem supporting the green economy.
- The Green Economy Hub players and why it is so important to have these relationships in place.
- Online resources available to assist investors interested in looking into the green economy in South Africa
- Green Technology and where the world is going with it.
- How Green Technology is relevant to the South African economy.
- The Atlantis Special Economic Zone and how the company is a breakthrough for the Western Cape.
- The relationship and synergies between Wesgro, GreenCape and the Atlantis Special Economic Zone.
- What we are currently not getting right and what more needs to fall into place for green technologies and the green economy to really accelerate exponentially.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Janet Channing is Managing Director and Ayanda Ngcobo is Director at MetGovis. In episode 1 of the MetGovis series on Future Cities Africa we discuss how MetGovis is partnering with local government towards sustainability.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with MetGovis
Listen or watch to understand:
- Who and what MetGovis is.
- How and why MetGovis was started. Their personal journey.
- How they help solve complex problems within public and private sectors.
- Overcoming the challenge of capacity within municipalities.
- Addressing the disconnect between what National Treasury is requesting and what Municipalities must comply with.
- The importance of being able to understand complex data easily by visualising it on a map.
- How challenges around municipal data can be solved.
- Their competitive advantage.
- Major accomplishments as thought leaders in municipal valuations and rating.
- Impacts of the Pandemic on how they work.
- New solutions like GovProp.
- And much more
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Monika Iuel is Chief Destination Marketing Officer at Wesgro, the Official Tourism, Trade, Investment and Film Agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape. In episode 2 of the 10 episode Wesgro Series on Future Cities Africa we discuss: Tourism After The Great Disruption.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Wesgro
Listen or watch to understand:
- How leisure tourism can affect a local economy and thus a city.
- How the tourism industry can find the best ways to leverage technological solutions to recover and grow.
- New trends and insights emerging from the rise in traveller numbers post pandemic.
- Remote work, the future of work, and how the Western Cape is positioned to maximise the economic benefits of this new way of working.
- How much travellers’ expectations have changed in recent times.
- The challenges to a Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) to retain domestic travellers now that the world is opening up again.
- Potential emerging disrupters, new challenges and solutions for the tourism industry in the near future.
- And more
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Karen Bosman is Strategic Advisor: Office of the CEO at Wesgro. In episode 1 of the 10 episode Wesgro Series on Future Cities Africa we discuss: Harnessing the benefits of foreign direct investment (FDI), exports and tourism.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Wesgro
Listen or watch to understand:
- The context of what Wesgro does and why it is important.
- Wesgro’s different functions.
- The role that Wesgro plays to achieve these functions.
- The bigger context and how an agency like Wesgro supports economic growth.
- The benefits of attracting foreign direct investment and how those benefits are maximised for a local economy.
- Challenges that need to be overcome to succeed with the work they do and for businesses to succeed.
- Why it is good to have a subnational agency rather than just a national agency.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Frank Cumming is Director for Urban Catalytic Investments at the City of Cape Town. We discuss city mega projects, the Bellville Future City and Local Spatial Development Framework masterplan, the role of partnerships, and more.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with The Greater Tygerberg Partnership
Listen or watch to understand:
- How mega projects like the Bellville Future City vision impact on the sustainability of cities.
- The opportunities and, correspondingly, challenges, for the success (or failure) of these kinds of mega projects.
- The role of partnerships between the public and private sector in delivering projects of this scale.
- How large-scale masterplans can serve the needs of the users at ground.
- Overview of the vision for Bellville Future City.
- Improvement measures being implemented in the short and medium term.
- The catalyst for the development of this vision.
- Desired outcome of the public consultation process.
- How people can get involved in the process?
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Maurietta Stewart is Head of Environmental & Heritage Management for District A+D (Table Bay and Tygerberg) at The City of Cape Town and Guy Briggs is Partner and Head of Urban Design at dhk Architects. We discuss successful placemaking to build inclusive African places.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with The Greater Tygerberg Partnership
Listen or watch to understand:
- The unique opportunities for effective placemaking in African cities.
- Introduction to the top 10 factors to be considered in successful placemaking initiatives.
- The challenges to incorporating some or all of those considerations within an African context.
- How to preserve a place’s authentic character alongside the introduction of new placemaking interventions.
- The main priorities for placemaking interventions in Bellville today.
- The importance of heritage in creating inclusive spaces, particularly in places where heritage and memory are contested.
- Key considerations for using heritage to build inclusive communities.
- The specific opportunities for heritage-linked placemaking in Bellville.
- And more.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Mayor of Cape Town, is our first guest on the Visionary City Leader Show. We discuss what is means to be a visionary city leader, his 1st 100 days in office, how he’ll define success over his 5 year term, the importance of partnerships in solving complex problems, future-proofing cape town, how the role of the mayor has changed in recent times, and much more.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with GPA GROUP
Listen or watch to understand:
- Major highlights from his 1st 100 days in office and what het did not get too.
- Future thinking.
- How he managed the complexity of the transition from the national sphere of government to the municipal.
- How important partnerships are in ending load shedding, getting rail to work and more.
- The key characteristics of a visionary city leader.
- How he will define success over the course of 5 years.
- How the role of an executive mayor has changed especially since covid, and how he prioritises what is done first.
- The City’s resilience and future planing directorate and what it is trying to achieve.
- What spatial transformation means to him as an individual, as a leader and what it implies to the city.
- Tensions and compromises he anticipates (on spatial transformation) and how he will tackle them differently from his predecessors?
- What his diary holds for the coming week.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Episode 6 of the Series focussing on urban governance and how to get it right in managing urban growth in towns and cities in Kenya.
Show guest: Dennis Abuya is a Registered Physical Planner currently working with the County Government of Kiambu. He holds a Master’s Degree in Urban Management and a degree in Urban and Regional Planning - both from the University of Nairobi.
Listen or watch to understand:
- How Kiambu County is developing and changing in the spatial and socio-economic form.
- The development character and trends in rapidly urbanizing and emerging towns.
- If the growth of these towns followed any management guidelines and regulations.
- Current management challenges hindering sustainable growth of these towns.
- What the future is of these towns and what role urban authorities can play for sustainability and for tackling the challenges.
- How the County has worked with AKiRNA to negotiate and drive the region's present and future development?
- Foreseeable opportunities with well managed urban and peri-urbans areas.
- Kiambu County’s system to deliver better cities and towns.
- How the County is steering the development and growth of the region.
- Key priorities for growth in the next decade and how we will get there.
- Lessons learnt so far.
- How to resolve current glitches, for future resilience.
- Inspiration drawn from other African towns and cities.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Episode 5 of the Series focussing on urban governance and how to get it right in managing urban growth in towns and cities in Kenya. Show guest: Engineer Geche Karanja is Chairman of Kiambu Residents and Neighbourhood Association (AKiRNA). He has worked in various locations worldwide including Germany; Brazil; South Africa; USA; Egypt and Japan.
Listen or watch to understand:
- The role of residents’ associations.
- Collaboration and partnerships between the county and residents’ association in shaping the growth and development of Kiambu County.
- How to fast track collaboration.
- How effectively AKiRNA has played the role to demand plans at Neighborhood level and being the frontline compliance/ enforcement team to ensure plans are prepared and adhered to.
- How well they have been able to put local and national authorities to account for the implementation of planned infrastructure?
- How would you solve the challenges to above.
- How planners and professionals in general can participate as residents and members of residents’ associations in guiding the residents in preparation of plans and adherence to the same.
- Lessons and advice for residents and neighborhood associations across the country in Kenya.
- In which areas and How residents’ associations can partner with their respective governments both national and local to actively shape the growth and development of their areas
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Episode 4 of the Series focussing on urban governance and how to get it right in managing urban growth in towns and cities in Kenya.
Show guest: Grace Kamweru is a Landscape Architect, Environmental Planner & Assistant Lecturer at The Technical University of Kenya.
Listen or watch to understand:
- The status of climate change and associated crises in this post-pandemic era at the City level.
- How the pandemic has affected the gains and transition to the Sustainable Development Goals.
- The impact of climate action plans in Kenya and key successes to date.
- How the growth by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is no longer sustainable for countries.
- The Circular Economy as the ultimate opportunity of our time for completing the picture in addressing climate change, besides shifting to renewable energy.
- The water crisis in Nairobi and the role of water urbanism in addressing climate change in the cities and their urban countrysides.
- How cities can achieve sustainable settlements through provision of affordable housing to all socio-economic groups in the cities.
- Main challenges to addressing climate change: The main drivers, barriers and possible enablers to shift to a more sustainable future in cities.
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Episode 3 of the Series focussing on urban governance and how to get it right in managing urban growth in towns and cities in Kenya.
Show guest: Mary Chege, Founding Partner of EMSI & Associates. She has over seventeen years’ experience in advising on a broad range of transactions across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Listen or watch to understand:
- The current state of infrastructure financing in Kenya’s towns and cities
- What can be done to shore up financing for infrastructure development in Kenya’s urban areas.
- Are development fees a viable mechanism to bridge such funding gaps?
- Mary’s experiencing in working with local government across Kenya to implement such.
- What the future holds for Kenya’s towns and cities in regard to infrastructure financing.
- Lessons can we draw from other jurisdictions; Africa and globally.
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Bronwyn Williams is back and she shares 3 key trends for cities: Haha Cities, DIY Cities and Charter Cities. We also talk about private cities, the Metaverse, crypto trends affecting cities, strategies local governments can implement to do more with less for its people, book recommendations to help us navigate what lies ahead, and much more.
Listen or watch to understand:
- HaHa cities: Invisibly walled gardens / 15 minute cities.
- DIY cities: Hacking democracy/ citizen shadow governments.
- Charter cities: Real and unreal semi independent city states.
- Is private cities still a key trend?
- The Metaverse.
- Strategies local governments can implement to do more with less for its people.
- Book recommendations to help us navigate what lies ahead:
- Exit, Voice, and Loyalty (1970)
- Synthetic Worlds: The Business and Culture of Online Games
- Better to Have Gone: Love, Death, and the Quest for Utopia in Auroville
- Key trends in the crypto space that will affect cities.
- Decentralised decision making consensus protocols
- Central bank digital currencies
Visit: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Episode 2 of the Series focussing on urban governance and how to get it right in managing urban growth in towns and cities in Kenya.
Show guest: David Gatimu, Corporate Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya Town Planners Chapter. He has over 25 years’ experience in Public Service and holds a MSc in Urban Planning from Oxford Brookes University.
Listen or watch to understand:
- Key trends in urbanization in Kenya.
- Key factors to consider in the social, economic and spatial development in Kenyan communities (given the explosive growth in population).
- The developments in policy, governance, and inter-governmental relations, and how these are reshaping how we finance, coordinate, and drive urban development.
- How we can get beyond policy, to seeing meaningful change and investment on the ground.
- An essential kit/ model for urban management in emerging towns that can be replicated throughout the country.
- Challenges standing in the way of progress in Urban Governance/ Urban Management and how it c an be addressed?
Visit www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Episode 1 of the Series focussing on urban governance and how to get it right in managing urban growth in towns and cities in Kenya. Show guest: Cyrus Mbisi, a Town Planner and Chairperson of the Town Planners Chapter of The Architectural Association of Kenya.
Listen or watch to understand:
- Why the management of urbanization and growth is so important in the Kenyan context.
- The place of technology and related innovations (and digitization of Kenya’s land Registry).
- The tools that exist for managing urban development.
- Financing the required tasks for improved urban management for local authorities.
- The future of Kenya’s cities and towns in terms of urbanization and how to adapt these towns to the threat of climate change and how to build resilience.
- The cities and urban areas that people actually want.
- the magic bullet for resolving the problem of coordination in regards to mandates and responsibilities in managing growth and urban development
- The place of stakeholder engagement in development planning and implementation. Who needs to make it to the negotiating table? Whose city is it? Who has what stake, and who needs to determine what happens in the city? Who has what power, how much power?
About Cyrus Mbisi
Cyrus is a Town Planner and Chairperson of Town Planners Chapter of The Architectural Association of Kenya. He is also the Founder and Managing Director of Greenspace Planning and Environmental Consultants Limited.
GreenCape's Alternative Service Delivery Unit (ASDU) is working with different informal settlements to improve their access to basic services. This episode explores the ASDU, principles of co-design in asset based community development, and the impact of this and other ASDU project partnerships.
This episode is presented in partnership with GreenCape in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for FreedomListen or watch to understand:
- Guests in this conversation: Reshmi Wolvers, ASDU Project Manager at GreenCape and Jack Radmore , Energy Programme Manager and Climate Finance Lead at GreenCape.
- Background to the ASDU.
- How the ASDU at GreenCape came about.
- The impact of the work to date.
- The research process to better understand the different and most pressing needs of communities.
- Principles of co-design in asset based community development.
- How to support improved access to basic services in informal settlements.
- Lessons learned from implementing projects in Freedom Farm and Malawi Camp
- The focus of the work that the ASDU is doing with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.
- What the ASDU hopes to achieve over the next few years.
- The importance of effective stakeholder collaboration when it comes to alternative service delivery and what more can be done to improve this collaboration.
- The role of local government in providing alternative service delivery.
All episodes here: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
GreenCape and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom are running a series of Green Economy decision-makers courses that have a reach into African cities. This episode explores the decision-makers courses, the planned Symposium, and the impact that this initiative is seeing by equipping decision-makers to understand and align their strategies with green economy principles.
This episode is presented in partnership with GreenCape in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for FreedomListen or watch to understand:
- Guests in this conversation: Lindiwe van Staden, Project Manager for Skills Development at GreenCape and Genesis Cleveland, Regional Project Manager at Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.
- Background to FNF’s involvement in the Green Economy.
- Explanation of the Green Economy decision-makers course and Symposium.
- Who the decision-makers are in this context, and why the training is focused on them.
- How to access the course materials via GreenCape ’s Youtube channel. (Waste, Energy and Water courses)
- Examples of positive impact from running these courses.
- The objectives of the Symposium themed: A new vision for delivering green economy solutions for African communities.
- How aligning to green economy principles potentially shape the future of African cities?
- The potential consequences when decision-makers do not understand and align their strategies with green economy principles. Spoiler: We might be left behind if we don’t act.
Abdullahi Ali Hassan has a Master’s in Urban Studies and is very active in the Bellville Somalian community.
We explore the importance of multiculturalism in urban centres, narratives and perceptions, the importance of strong leadership, how city governments can better support multicultural populations, and more.
Listen or watch to understand:This episode is presented in partnership with The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP).
- Narratives and perceptions.
- The importance of multiculturalism in urban centres.
- Most significant benefits of a multicultural community.
- Insights into the cultural environment in Bellville.
- How the Somalian community have been able to integrate into Bellville? Challenges and successes.
- Most important factors in building community cohesion in multicultural urban centres.
- Major challenges for multiculturalism in urban centres to be successful and efficient, and how they can be addressed.
- How city governments can and should better support multicultural populations.
- The importance of strong leadership.
See all episodes: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
The Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) directly responds to the urgency and scale of the climate crisis by supporting highly promising climate projects to become more bankable and appealing to investors, so that they can secure funding more readily. The CFA is part of the UK Government’s efforts to help South Africa tackle climate change and support a just transition.
This episode is presented in partnership with GreenCape, in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom
Read the CFA press release hereListen or watch to understand:
- Guests in this conversation: Ian Callaghan, Originator of the Climate Finance Accelerator, Mike Mulcahy, Chief Executive Officer of GreenCape and John Gibss, Infrastructure Finance Advisor to the Climate Finance Accelerator.
- What the CFA is, how it came about and what it will do.
- Why is it so hard for low carbon projects to find suitable investments.
- How the CFA understands the climate finance landscape in each country it operates in (Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico, Peru, Colombia and Turkey).
- How GreenCape reacted when they heard about the CFA and how it can help in South Africa.
- The kinds of projects that are applying to be part of the CFA, and what kind of needs they have.
- The next steps for the South African CFA projects that have been identified.
- Major challenges standing in the way of the success of the CFA and how each show guest would solve it if they had a magic wand.
All episodes: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
A free and fair media is critical in a healthy democracy, though while the data age has dramatically enhanced our ability to generate and share news, it has similarly enabled the rise of fake news, programmatic agendas, and media echo-chambers. The Dexter project seeks to leverage modern computational paradigms to monitor and analyze Southern Africa's digital media.
Listen or watch to understand:
This episode is presented in partnership with Open Cities Lab
- Background on guests William Bird, Director of Media Monitoring Africa and Matthew Adendorff , Data Lead at Open Cities Lab.
- What exactly is Dexter and what does it do?
- How Open Cities Lab and Media Monitoring Africa got involved in the project.
- How Dexter can be used for a focussed subject: To track elections or COVID reporting in Africa.
- The elections work that the Dexter project is currently underway with.
- The biggest challenges they’ve overcome to date and how they did it.
- Application of Dexter beyond news media.
- The key steps to a more free and fair media.
See all episodes: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Youtube Channel: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Zukiswa Mandlana is Director for Organisational Effectiveness and Innovation at the City of Cape Town.
We discuss the latest innovations at the City of Cape Town, the innovation process they adopted, how they measure success, key milestones reached, overcoming challenges and how the Pandemic has influenced how they innovate.
This episode is presented in partnership with the City of Cape Town
See all episodes: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Miriam Maina is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand. She has a particular focus on the role of policy in shaping urban futures in Africa.
Listen or watch to understand:This episode is presented in partnership with 1map (Visit them)
- Organic growth vs proactive town planning/city management.
- If organic growth is a good idea for African countries.
- What happens to town planning policies? Who informs them, who implements them? Why don’t policies always reach their goals? And why is there a need for improved policies?
- Challenges: Why are all the things that we know are necessary for city management success, not in place? Like Data, access to technology, lack of digital property register, silos in governments, funding
- Kenya’s land registry being digitised.
- How secondary cities and towns will grow exponentially.
- Modern skills, like visualisation of data for actionable insights, town planners will need to craft powerful policies that will shape African cities. Examples are GIS knowledge, data analysis, technical proficiency, and more.
- What is hindering the uptake of new technologies.
- Africa is expecting several of its cities to reach mega city status in the near future. Is it too late to implement effective city growth policies for those cities and towns?
- How African cities can adapt and prepare for what is to come?
All episodes here: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Warren Hewitt is Chief Executive Officer at The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP).
We discuss the role of the GTP in unlocking Bellville’s potential as a sustainable and prosperous leading African city, Bellville’s culture and combined intellectual capital, attracting investment, working closely with the public sector, and many facts about Bellville.
This episode is presented in partnership with The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP).
See all Future Cities Africa episodes here: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
We explore:
This episode is presented in partnership with the City of Cape Town
- Major challenges faced and impacts of the pandemic and how the City is managing it.
- Scope and the key elements of the City’s Transport Strategy for growth and recovery.
- Barriers that exist to the implementation of the strategy.
- How the City is responding to the crisis involving the Minibus Taxi industry.
- The City’s response to criticism for only putting aside 2% of its budget for non motorised transport initiatives.
- The plan to accelerate Bellville PTI and Bellville as a hub - The Future Bellville Masterplan.
- Their views on the R300 Northern Extension.
- The Mitchells Plain TOC pilot and the City's plan for the future of the Minibus Taxi sector formalisation and modernisation.
- Views on the Province's Blue Dot Initiative.
- What the progress is for the City to take over the Management function of Rail.
- When the MyCiti Phase 2 will have the first wheels roll.
- Success stories from the sector.
- How the City is working with all industry stakeholders and what opportunities are there for collaboration.
- Main lessons taken from 2020 and the 1st half of 2021 and how the City can address them, to not only survive but thrive into the future.
Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/AdBLCaxUzjg
Visit online here: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Monica Rolo is an Industrial Engineer at Curro Holdings, an independent school network in South Africa.
We discuss the societal needs addressed by Curro, the value in spatial representation of information for a school and how it enables them to identify and overcome key challenges, and much more.
This episode is presented in partnership with 1map (Visit them)
See all FCA episodes: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Carlo Barnard is Business Intelligence Specialist at Munsoft and a past municipal CFO at Victor Khanye Local Municipality.
We discuss the value in spatial representation of information for a municipality, major challenges that can be visualised and solved, why collaboration between departments are important in the context of using technology, and much more.
Presented in Partnership with 1map, visit them at www.1map.co.za
Watch all episodes: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Craig Kesson is Executive Director for Corporate Services at the City of Cape Town.
We explore the thinking behind the City’s Infrastructure Strategy, its scope and key elements, impacts of and lessons from the pandemic, a uniformed standard to Sector Plans, enabling innovation in alternative service delivery, reaching historically under-serviced areas, and more.
This episode is presented in partnership with the City of Cape Town
To partner contact Futurecitiesafrica.com
Kadri Nassiep is Executive Director for Energy at City of Cape Town.
We explore the City’s energy and sustainability strategy for growth and recovery, major challenges, energy independence, success stories, future technologies, opportunities for collaboration with private sector, and what the future can look like.
This episode is presented in partnership with the City of Cape Town
Contact us to partner on www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Michael John Webster is Executive Director for Water and Waste at the City of Cape Town.
We explore the City’s water strategy and key commitments, lessons from the 2018 water crisis, recent progress made, future thinking, new technologies, opportunities and challenges for private sector collaboration, and advice for cities grappling with water management.
This episode is presented in partnership with the City of Cape Town Read the Water Strategy here
Joanne Parker is the project lead for SCODA at Open Cities Lab. Tshegang Chipeya is the project lead for the Durban EDGE Programme at eThekwini Municipality.
We explore what SCODA is, what it offers Cities, tools utilised in the Durban EDGE case and success stories, Open Data challenges at the municipal level and how they can be overcome.
See all episodes: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Nicolaas Klopper is Director at 1map.
We explore the National Property Register and its importance to the management of a city, how maps make complex data less abstract and provide actionable insights that drive revenue and improve service delivery, and how Mapping will be transformed as part of everyones’ workflow.
This episode is presented in partnership with 1map (Visit them)
See how you can partner with Future Cities Africa
Sarah Findlay is 'Africa Data Hub' Project Lead at Open Cities Lab. We explore the importance and key features of the Africa Data Hub, responsibly sourced data, enabling trust in the media, value offered by the African Data Hub, how to collaborate with them and their plans to have a quantifiable impact.
This episode is presented in partnership with Open Cities Lab See how you can partner with Future Cities Africa
Garsen Naidoo is GM at Cisco Sub-Saharan Africa. We explore the various impacts of the pandemic, how technology can be used as an enabler to inclusive economic recovery, Smart Cities, IoT in Africa, main lessons taken from 2020 and how cities might change over the next 5 years.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Ben Bradlow is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. We dive deep into an article from his dissertation project called: Weapons of the Strong: Elite Resistance and the Neo-Apartheid City.
This episode dives into:
• His larger book project that compares Johannesburg and São Paulo.
• Summary and key takeaways from the article and his dissertation project.
• What is meant by “Weapons of the Strong”.
• Why Johannesburg was chosen for this enquiry.
• How private property developers and neighborhood associations demonstrate tactics of elite resistance.
• Strategies used by “The Strong” to undermine the transformative capacities of the local state: “ring-fencing” and “venue-shopping.”
• Potential solutions
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Danga Mughogho is Programme Manager for Well Governed Cities at South African Cities Network.
We explore the State of City Finances 2020 report, impacts of the pandemic on city finances, trends in the affordability of municipal bills, lessons from the report, and implications for municipal finance in the future.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with South African Cities Network (SACN).
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Edwin Diender is Chief Digital Transformation Officer for the Enterprise Business Group at Huawei Technologies.
We explore digital transformation, Smart Cities, Connected & Intelligent Cities, Artificial Intelligence, 5G, bridging the digital divide and how cities may change over the next 5 years.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Tshepo Kgobe is Chief Operating Officer at Gautrain Management Agency.
We explore the impacts of the pandemic on Gautrain, their plans for recovery and future expansion, the future of public transport, lessons from 2020 and how Gautrain will integrate with other modes of transport.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Luke Boyle is a Researcher at the Urban Real Estate Research Unit at the University of Cape Town.
We explore Africa’s smart city narrative, the role of technology, financing future cities, the role of open data, socioeconomic development and how cities may change over the next 5 years.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/all-future-cities-africa-podcasts.php
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Kayla Hanna Brown is Project Manager for Built Environment at South African Cities Network.
We explore the impacts of the pandemic on the built environment, how different Cities responded, fast tracking spatial transformation, technology and innovation, and main lessons taken from 2020.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with South African Cities Network.
Partner with us: www.futurecitiesafrica.com/partner.php
Web: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Dion Chang is the Founder of Flux Trends. He’s a business strategist, trends columnist and professional cage rattler.
We explore trends in the circular economy, case studies, the sharing economy, Generation Z, the great real estate reshuffle, urban migration and the future of work.
Website: www.futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Liteboho Makhele is Programme Manager for Sustainable Cities at South African Cities Network. We explore the current state of climate change interventions, key sustainability projects, the biggest challenge to climate change adaptation, the circular economy and the main lessons taken from 2020.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with South African Cities Network.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/series/1/lessons-from-the-pandemic
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Nomfundo Faith Dlamini is Programme Manager for Productive Cities at South African Cities Network. We explore various economic impacts on our cities and towns, key ingredients and steps to economic recovery and the main lessons taken from 2020 and how to use them going forward.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with South African Cities Network.
About the Future Cities Africa and South African Cities Network Partnership:
2020 has fundamentally changed the context in which South African municipalities govern and provide services. Future Cities Africa has partnered with South African Cities Network on a series of 4 episodes that look at how cities have fared during the pandemic and what fundamental lessons have been learned.
We cover: Economic recovery, Climate Change, Governance & Municipal Finance and Built Environment
Show notes: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/discussions/economic-recovery-lesson-from-the-pandemic-series.php
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Prof. Hangwelani Hope Magidimisha-Chipungu is a Professor of Town and Regional Planning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, SARChI Chair for Inclusive Cities and Academic Leader for Planning and Housing.
We explore the challenges keeping us from inclusive cities, what can be done to solve the challenges, improving the role of local authorities in inter-governmental dialogues and how to build cities that respond to the people’s needs.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Richard Gevers is the Founder of Open Cities Lab, a civic technology lab with a focus on the development of open data for application to urban challenges operating within cities in Africa.
We explore many projects they are involved in, overcoming the general ‘fear of data’, how to improve public private sector collaboration on Open Data and how cities may change over the next 5 years.
See show notes: https://futurecitiesafrica.com/discussions/richard-gevers-informed-decision-making-for-participatory-democracy.php
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Bronwyn Williams is an Economist, Futurist, Trend Analyst and Partner at Flux Trends. They recently published 21 trends for 2021 and a key trend that stood out for us was: Private Cities.
In this episode we dive deep into the emergence of Private Cities in Africa and what the not so distant future may hold:
• What is a Private City and how is it different to the cities we are used to?
• What a Private City looks like in the African context.
• Real world examples of Private Cities.
• Private Cities and the issue around inclusion.
• The double-edged sword of Private Cities.
• How government might react to Private Cities.
• How can this go horribly wrong in Africa?
• What will go extinct in our cities over the next 5 years? Spoiler: Some actual cities…
• 1 book to that will prepare you for what may lie ahead over the next 5 years. Spoiler: The Death and Life of Great American Cities, by Jane Jacobs.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
We explore the typical architecture and technological layers of a ‘Smart City’, his definition of a ‘Smart City’ in the African context, what will help us become smarter cities, improving Public - Private sector collaboration, how the Internet of Things will impact Africa over the next 5 years, the one thing he would change with his magic wand and what he hopes to see happen over the next 5 years.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Digital Council AfricaWebsite: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
7 thought leaders explain the one thing they would change if magic wands existed.
Show Guests Include:
* Juanita Clark is the Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Council Africa.
* Vino Govender is Executive for Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions and Innovation at Dark Fibre Africa.
* Dr. Geci Karuri-Sebina is a multi-disciplinary scholar-practitioner currently occupied in several capacities working at the intersection between people, place and technological change, focusing on the global south.
* Steve Apps is a Smart City and Industry 4.0 technology expert. He’s past CTO of Huawei Southern Africa for government services.
* Bronwyn Williams is a Partner at Flux Trends. She's a Futurist, Economist and Business Trends Analyst.
* Dmitry Pozhidaev is Global Advisor at UN Capital Development Fund, he’s based in Uganda.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Digital Council Africa.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
11 thought leaders share their definitions of what the term ‘Smart City’ consists of in an African context.
Show Guests Include:
- Musa Khumalo is the Group Head for Shared Services at the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.
- Craig Kesson is Executive Director for Corporate Services at the City of Cape Town.
- Vino Govender is Executive for Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions and Innovation at Dark Fibre Africa.
- Bronwyn Williams is a Partner at Flux Trends. She's a Futurist, Economist and Business Trends Analyst.
- Steve Apps is a Smart City and Industry 4.0 technology expert. He’s past CTO of Huawei Southern Africa for government services.
- Dr. Geci Karuri-Sebina is a multi-disciplinary scholar-practitioner currently occupied in several capacities working at the intersection between people, place and technological change, focusing on the global south
- Dr. Marco Macagnano is the Smart Cities Leader at Deloitte Consulting
- Bob van Bebber is a Director at Boogertman + Partners Architects and overall winner of the 2019 SA Professional Services Awards.
- Dr. Oualid Ali is the President at the Future Cities Council.
- Jonathan Wilson is the Urban Data Project Manager at the South African Cities Network (SACN).
- Dmitry Pozhidaev is Global Advisor at UN Capital Development Fund, he’s based in Uganda.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Digital Council Africa.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
9 thought leaders share their insights on how public - private sector collaboration can be improved and how challenges can be overcome.
Visit Futurecitiesafrica.com to read the summary.
Guests include:
* Steve Apps is a Smart City and Industry 4.0 technology expert. He’s past CTO of Huawei Southern Africa for government services.
* Omeshnee Naidoo is Director of Information Systems and Technology at City of Cape Town
* Vino Govender is Executive for Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions and Innovation at Dark Fibre Africa
* Craig Kesson is Executive Director for Corporate Services at the City of Cape Town
* Juanita Clark is the Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Council Africa.
* Dr. Geci Karuri-Sebina is a multi-disciplinary scholar-practitioner currently occupied in several capacities working at the intersection between people, place and technological change, focusing on the global south.
* Rehana Moosajee is the founder at The Barefoot Facilitator and a past Member of the Mayoral Committee of the City of Johannesburg.
* Thulani Kuzwayo is Co-Founder of PaperThinkLAB and served as the WorldGBC Africa Regional Network Chairperson.
* Dr. Marco Macagnano is the Smart Cities Leader at Deloitte Consulting.
This episode is brought to you in partnership with Digital Council Africa.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Nikolas Badminton is a world-renowned keynote speaker and futurist consultant that shows you the future trends that shape impactful organizations, trillion-dollar companies and progressive governments.
We discuss the type of future city that Africa needs, explosive growth expected in Africa, lessons from global smart city initiatives, the world in 400 years, cities in 2040 and shifting mindsets from ‘’what is’’ to ‘’what if’’.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Ronak Gopaldas is a Director at Signal Risk, an exclusively African risk advisory firm. His work focuses on the intersection of politics, economics and business on the continent.
We discuss the biggest economic challenges currently facing the African continent, how we’ll get to the predicted Mega Cities in Africa, if the African Continental Free Trade Agreement will survive the pandemic, how Africa has managed the pandemic relative to other regions of the world, where Africa features in post-pandemic geopolitics and practical strategies Africa can implement to thrive in the post-pandemic world.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Steve Apps is a Smart City and Industry 4.0 technology expert. He’s a past CTO of Huawei Southern Africa for government services. He was also executive for ecosystems and solutions at SqwidNet, rolling out the SIGFOX IoT network across South Africa.
We explore what will stop us from becoming smarter cities, financial models and how future cities can be funded, improving public/ private sector collaboration, current state of IoT in Africa, civilization engineering, the role of Blockchain in Africa’s future, what Steve would change if he had a magic wand and his vision of future African cities.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Musa Khumalo is Group Head for Shared Services at the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. He is also chairperson of the Risk and Audit Committee at the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
We discuss Smart City initiatives at City of Tshwane, e-Tshwane statistics, future plans for e-Tshwane, how the City of Tshwane has managed to do more than many other municipalities and his vision of the city in 2040.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
A collection of interviews with 12 though leaders:
* Bronwyn Williams, Partner, Flux Trends
* Musa Khumalo, Head: Shared Services, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
* Craig Kesson, Chief Resilience Officer and Chief Data Officer, City of Cape Town
* Geci Karuri-Sebina, Associate, South African Cities Network
* Bob van Bebber, Director, Boogertman + Partners Architects
* Omeshnee Naidoo, Chief Information Officer, City of Cape Town
* Dmitry Pozhidaev, Global Advisor, UN Capital Development Fund
* Juanita Clark, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Council Africa
* Jonathan Wilson, Urban Data Project Manager, South African Cities Network
* Oualid Ali, President, Future Cities Council
* Siphelele Ngobese, Researcher Inclusion and Well-being, South African Cities Network
* Thabo Mofokeng, President, Information Technology Association of South Africa
Craig Kesson is Executive Director for Corporate Services at the City of Cape Town. He’s also the Chief Resilience Officer and Chief Data Officer.
We explore the data driven strategy at City of Cape Town, overcoming the general fear of data in public departments, emerging disrupters impacting the City and how it will remain resilient, his definition of a Smart City, what he would change if he had a magic wand, his hopes for the City 20 years from now.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
She’s a digital strategy consultant, an Africa enthusiast and Africa's digital transformation maverick. We discuss key takeaways from her book, the 4IR, the future of work and education, inclusive cities, overcoming the digital divide, personal disruption and staying relevant in an era of constant change.
We discuss 15 new cities that are planned for Uganda, International municipal investment fund, insights into the book: ‘Reflections on African Cities in Transition’ and his chapter called ‘Urbanization and the Quality of Growth in Uganda: The Challenge of Structural Transformation and Sustainable and Inclusive Development’, emerging disruptors for Ugandan cities and much more.
Prof. Nabil El Kadhi is Vice President of Academic Affairs at Khawarizmi International College and Vice President of the Future Cities Council.
We explore the schema for future education, UAE education system and what Africa can learn from it, challenges that must be overcome, the difference between smart education and digital education, homeschool vs school/ university, readiness of the classic university for the future, definition of a smart city and a smart citizen, cities in 2040 and advice for students stuck in the old education system
Jonathan Wilson is Urban Data Project Manager at the South African Cities Network (SACN).
We discuss the SACN Smart Cities paper series, the importance of open data for cities; siloed operations and how to solve challenges to urban data management, Common Data Framework for Cities, open data projects in South Africa, cities in 2040 and the decline of urbanisation.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Neil du Preez is Founder at MellowVans. He is passionate about urban transport, and the development of last mile delivery solutions. We discuss last mile delivery, safer cities, autonomous driving technologies, local manufacturing and the need for a better education system.
Dr. Geci Karuri-Sebina is a multi-disciplinary scholar-practitioner currently occupied in several capacities working at the intersection between people, place and technological change, focusing on the global south.
We discuss her work, stakeholder collaboration, smart cities, inclusive cities, what she would change if she had a magic wand and her vision for cities in 2040.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Dr. Oualid Ali is President at the Future Cities Council. He's a futurist, technologist and future cities expert. We discuss trends and opportunities for African Cities, Artificial Intelligence as the ‘new electricity’, Smart Cities and its challenges in Africa, Smart City projects in Africa, the future of education and his vision of African cities in 2040.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Siphelele Ngobese is Researcher: Inclusion and Well-Being at the South African Cities Network and is responsible for the Urban Safety Programme.
We explore the Urban Safety Programme and its objectives, accomplishments and how they are inspiring action. We look at current urban projects incorporating inclusion, wellbeing and safety. Finally we consider challenges of stakeholder collaboration and Siphelele’s hopes for cities in 2040.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Bronwyn Williams is a partner at Flux Trends. She's a Futurist, Economist and Business Trends Analyst. We explore her definition of a Smart City, trends in Intelligent Cities, Smart Cities for Real People, the role of Blockchain in Africa's future, changing the current education system, how she would implement Radical Economic Transformation and what cities and social structures will look like in 20 years.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Lisa Reynolds is the Chief Executive Officer of the Green Building Council South Africa.
We explore her background, how she is leading the GBCSA in challenging times, the Green Recovery and why it is important, trends and opportunities for cities, legislation she would change with her magic wand, the Green Building Convention 2020, advice for woman in the built environment and words of encouragement.
Juanita Clark is the Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Council Africa. We explore the rebranding of the FTTX Africa Council to the Digital Council Africa, draft rapid deployment policy, benefits of good local municipal internet connectivity, challenges and opportunities to get stakeholders on the same page, legislation she would change if she had a magic wand, the future of education and work and her vision of future cities.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Thabo Mofokeng is President of the Information Technology Association of South Africa (ITA) and a Non-Executive Director at MICT SETA. We explore the role of the ITA, opportunities and challenges for IT and ICT business, the future of technology and jobs, interacting with a computing environment, collaboration and his view of cities in 2040 and colonising Mars.
Bob van Bebber is a Director at Boogertman + Partners Architects and overall winner of the 2019 SA Professional Services Awards.
We explore his background; challenges and solutions for businesses, the built environment and cities; legislation he would change if he had a magic wand; his definition of a ‘Smart City’; how to make cities more inclusive; his hope for future cities and words of encouragement.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
She’s the CIO at the City. We explore digital projects at the City of Cape Town, technology’s role in improving service delivery and quality of life, the importance of real time service delivery, tech investments, collaboration between municipalities, private public sector collaboration and her vision of the city in 2040.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Calayde Davey is a Co-Founder & Director of Urban Strategy at Regen 50 and Co-Chair of the Lean Built Environment Afrika. She is also post-doctoral researcher in African Digital Twin Cities with the University of Pretoria. We explore Digital Twins: a Fitbit for Cities, lean design and construction, her vision for future cities, better industry collaboration and maintaining a work-life balance.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
We chat about Smart and Sustainability initiatives at Waterfall City - Africa’s first Smart City. We also discuss city challenges, inclusive cities, her biggest fear of Covid-19 and advice for students in these uncertain times.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
We chat about her background and work at The Barefoot Facilitator, her work with SA Cities Network and National Treasury, NLTA of 2009, having authentic conversations, stakeholder collaboration, Covid-19 and future cities with deeper human connection.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
Thulani Kuzwayo is Co-Founder of PaperThinkLAB. He is an experienced sustainability professional who also served as the WorldGBC Africa Regional Network Chairperson.
We chat about his inspirations and the Living Future Collaborative South Africa, challenges for African cities, stakeholder collaboration, trends and opportunities in a Covid world and what happens after, his vision for future cities and the importance of thinking beyond our current actions.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
We chat about his background and role at Deloitte, Africa’s Smartest Building, What a Smart City means in an African context, how we ensure everyone benefits and not just the few, key technologies that will emerge, Africa’s biggest challenge and his vision for the future.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
We chat about GoMetro’s approach, their projects in Kigali and many other African countries, how Africa can succeed, stakeholder collaboration, legislation he would change and his outlook on key technologies and the future.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
On Future Cities Africa I chat with Giles Pendleton the Chief Development Officer at Attacq Limited and currently a Non-Executive Director and Chair elect of the Green Building Council of South Africa.
We chat about Waterfall City South Africa’s 1st Smart City, how Covid-19 is impacting projects and clients, his worst case scenario of the pandemic, smart technologies and positive vibes.
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
On Future Cities Africa I chat with Tony Lee a partner at Ecosis Ltd in Mauritius. He is an expert for the advocacy platform, United for Smart and Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) and for the “digital transformation of cities” working group of UN Habitat. We chat about challenges and opportunities in Mauritius, how technologies will play a critical role in the future, impacts of Covid-19, confirmed beliefs and moving in to the future.
On Future Cities Africa I chat with Henning Rasmuss a Founding Director and International Projects Director at Paragon Group – Architects. He has personally worked in 23 countries in Africa.
We chat about how cities will change, impacts on Covid-19 on architecture and the built environment, continued urbanization, positive vibes, the new ‘normal’ and do we actually need sport?
Website: https://futurecitiesafrica.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FutureCitiesAfrica
On Future Cities Africa I chat with Engineer John Tanui the CEO of Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA), a semi-autonomous government agency tasked with building Kenya’s first smart techno city. We chat about the Konza Technopolis, his worst nightmare of Coivd-19, the impact of Covid-19 on them, rapid urbanisation, new opportunities and what future cities will need.
On Future Cities Africa we chat about how individual tax returns on SARS eFiling was born, Sheldon’s worst nightmares of Covid-19, benefits and challenges of uFiling, digitising our cities to succeed in the future, rapid urbanisation and the future of jobs.
Ilya Podorvanov is Business Manager for Africa at JSC «Rosinfocominvest» in Moscow Russia. He is responsible for Russia-Africa cooperation for National digital programs. He is experienced in smart city solutions / smart nation solutions, e-government solutions - digital education / educational programs, international funding in G2G, B2G national digital programs. We chat about his work, experiences from Moscow, his new vision and worst nightmare for future cities.
We chat about key African projects Arup is involved in, how Covid-19 is impacting projects and clients, lessons from African cities from international projects, technologies that will move cities forward, rapid urbanisation, her worst Covid-19 nightmare, African cities’ biggest challenge, positive outlooks and her vision for future cities.