Thandeka, a 2017 MMEG grantee, is an urban planner and development practitioner. She holds an MPhil in development studies from the University of Cape Town and a BSc (Hons) degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Witwatersrand. She was employed at the South African SDI Alliance, where she collaborated with local communities to develop upgrading projects for informal settlements. Working with ICLEI Africa, she contributed to climate action integration in urban planning processes across African cities. Currently employed by the city of Cape Town, she focuses on the alleviation of energy poverty, while pursuing a PhD at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University.