Urban systems

Paul is fascinated by the multi-layered relationships that give each city its unique flavour. With his Sustainable Development MPhil and current doctoral research, Paul uses urban metabolism, resource nexus and political ecology as lenses for shaping sustainable, inclusive cities. At ICLEI, he supports local governments to apply systems perspectives to food, water, energy and nature, and facilitates the development of policies and plans appropriate to contexts of change and uncertainty.

Funmi holds a PhD in Law (Human Rights Protection) and has more than a decade of cross-sectoral experience in the private, public and academic spaces. She is skilled in creating and coordinating projects with a human rights-based framework, geared towards policy change, implementation and prioritisation of vulnerable groups. Funmi works at ICLEI Africa as a people-centered rights-based expert on various projects.

Luke spent the past 14 years actively immersed in civil society organisations and fledgling research institutes, working at the forefront of transdisciplinary research and transformative learning, and specialising in urban food security programmes, food systems governance and social-learning processes. He has worked extensively with global leaders across the spectrum of system change – from grant-makers and policy think-tanks, to universities and social movements. Luke holds a BA in Applied Design, a Masters in Sustainable Development Planning, and a PhD that focussed on the role of informal learning networks and youth in food system transformation. Luke also has a small flock of chickens and some young fruit trees that are teaching him a lot about patience and collaboration!

Mahlet holds three Master's degrees, specialising in Public Policy and Management, Urban Environment and Livelihoods, and Managing and Financing Urban Infrastructure. With over a decade of experience in business development, proposal writing, project management, teaching, and research across Africa and Europe, Mahlet is dedicated to continuous learning. She believes local actors hold the key to shaping their development path, and she leverages her expertise to develop locally-led initiatives. Mahlet will be leading business development efforts to support the growth of ICLEI Africa portfolios, starting with Water & Sanitation, Urban Planning, People Centred Development, RISE Africa, and more.

Meembo joined ICLEI-Africa in August 2021, bringing with her more than 18 years’ varied experience in sustainable urban development. With her BSc. and MSc. in Urban and Regional planning, and prior work in Zambia’s central government in various capacities, Meembo has gained leading expertise in urbanisation policy, urban planning legislation, integrated development planning, informal settlement upgrading, and improving national and subnational urban governance capacities. Meembo currently serves as Team Leader and Training Coordinator for the Urban Planning and Development Control Strengthening Program in Tanzania.

Amy is driven by work that has an impact on both people and the environment, and is especially interested in how these interact in urban food systems. She has a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development, specialising in transformative Afro-centric monitoring and evaluation approaches, and she has seven years of experience working in sustainable procurement, urban farming and food security initiatives. Amy has a keen interest in project management, and enjoys designing and facilitating participatory workshops.

Fru is passionate about food and nutrition security, resource management, economic development, and labour market dynamics. She has over five years of work experience on issues relating to food and nutrition security. Fru holds a Masters in Economics from the University of the Western Cape and is pursuing a PhD degree in Development Studies at the same university. Fru is a member of the Economic Society of South Africa (ESSA).

While completing his master’s degree, Garth gained a deep appreciation for the integral role that resources play, but more so, the value in increasing their utility. His current research is concerned with the water, energy and food (WEF) nexus, and how it could be operationalized on a city scale towards urban resource security and resilience for Cape Town. Garth holds a BSc MechEng and MBA from the University of Cape Town, is an ECSA registered Professional Engineer and currently a PhD candidate at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University.

Ivan is a master’s graduate in Sustainable Development Planning and Management from Stellenbosch University. He is passionate about sustainability in Africa. He has a background in economics, food, energy, transdisciplinary research, social entrepreneurship, impact investment and financing the Sustainable Development Goals. He as just over three years’ experience as a project manager and researcher in the field of sustainability and alternative food systems.

Jokudu Guya is an Urban Systems Professional Officer. Her focus areas include Circular Economies, Nexus, and smart cities, amongst other urban systems focus areas. She has a background in city development research and holds a Master of Urban Studies Degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Urban and Regional Planning.

Kevin is a Professional Officer at ICLEI Africa, in the Urban Systems unit. He hopes to change public spaces and urban forms in our cities. He especially hopes to do so through research, well analysed data and information, and a duly followed design process for developing plans, frameworks and strategies to improve the quality of urban spaces in Africa. This will ensure that all the users in these spaces, regardless of economic and cultural background, will have a good quality of life.

Sara is an urban studies and design enthusiast, focusing on urban food systems and affordable housing solutions. With four years of experience in managing and implementing government projects in the architectural sector, and two years in urban-related projects, she strives to make a positive impact on urban development. Sara holds an International Master's Degree in Architecture and Urban Cultures from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, complemented by a Master of Urban Studies in the field of Urban Management, with a specialisation in urban food systems linked to the informal economy at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. Sara will be involved in ICLEI Africa's urban food systems work.

Vida is an interdisciplinary researcher and storyteller who explores African intersectionality and touch points for knowledge exchange. Her multicultural upbringing, born in Nigeria and raised in Angola and South Africa, shapes her thinking. Vida aims to connect culture with creative solutions for Pan-African socio-geopolitical issues. She will be supporting with the growth of the RISE Africa platform through festival coordination, partner engagement and actively seeking sponsorship.

Kabelo obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management from Stellenbosch University and is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy from the same institution. Her undergraduate degree from the University of Cape Town includes a double major in Environmental and Geographical Science, and Applied Biology. She has over 3 years of experience in communications and social media marketing, having worked as an Environmental Communication Assistant at the City of Cape Town from 2020 to 2022. She strives to use her versatile work experience and academic background to fulfil her passion of addressing urban sustainability challenges.

Tashi is finalising a post-graduate Diploma in Sustainable Development at the Sustainability Institute, University of Stellenbosch. She has more than five years of experience in urban agriculture and environmental education initiatives. She is dedicated to building human-centred, just, and resilient systems in an increasingly urban world.

Zakiyya holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Town and Regional Planning from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Prior to joining ICLEI Africa, she gained experience as an Urban Planning and Project Packaging Assistant in the Urban Catalytic Investment Department at the City of Cape Town. Zakiyya has experience as a Research Assistant at CPUT and in the Development Planning Intelligence Management and Research Directorate within the Western Cape Government Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. She has a passion for sustainable development, co-creation, research and innovation.

Luka holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental and Geographical Science and Master of City and Regional Planning Degree from the University of Cape Town, with a research focus on the relationship between the Kuils River Corridor and surrounding urban fabric. He seeks to apply his multidisciplinary background, experience in public policy, analytical approach and passion for communication to systemically and sustainably integrate socio-ecological systems for greater equity and resilience.