Overview

Women in Planning South Africa (WiPSA) is founded on the basis of establishing a network of women in the discipline that will provoke a dialogue around developmental issues as it relates not only to space planning but economic and social-community development, which have always been a stumbling blocks to sustainable development. This is also a platform for women to engage, support each other and share business ideas. It is without a doubt that collaboration between women across all dimensions of Town Planning will help set a new outlook on the significance of the profession at large. In addition, WiPSA focuses on nurturing young talent and creating a platform for aspiring young women who are still in educational institutions and those who have recently graduated from higher education institutions to share ideas and challenges as they prepare for the demanding corporate environment. This platform will also create opportunities for them to engage with experienced women in the field who would provide guidance about the values and principles of the corporate environment as well as professional planning principles. WiPSA also wants to ensure that young planners are able to influence massive decisions on public and private sector investment and the broader economic policy of the country in driving the vision of “reimagining South African cities and towns”. WiPSA is pioneered by Miss Siphelelisiwe Gugulethu Sithole, who over the past years has developed extensive skills in planning and development. This initiative is also driven by the mutual understand of the issues by the two aspiring professional women in planning who have been instrumental in conceptualization of the idea and formulation of the operation plan for this network - Miss Menelisi Mhlanga and Miss Samkelisiwe Mkhize