{"id":2,"date":"2016-01-20T09:24:18","date_gmt":"2016-01-20T09:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mayson.co.za\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2026-01-23T11:46:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T11:46:45","slug":"simon-sizwe-mayson","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mayson.co.za\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome!"},"content":{"rendered":"

In November 2025 I founded The CoLab<\/a>, a social enterprise catalysing local changemaking across South Africa. We connect communities, enterprises, governments and partners using innovative place-based development approaches towards resilient, inclusive local economies. Currently we are co-designing SMME Growth Hubs, towards a Just Transition in Mpumalanga.<\/p>\n

Previously Manager: Sustainable Energy at ICLEI Africa<\/a>, I led a team situated across Africa, working on clean cooking, e-mobility and municipal embedded generation projects. As Programme Lead at the Economic Development Partnership<\/a>, I started the Energy & Climate Programme, securing and delivering new projects while building the team capacity needed to run them. I drew together diverse partners from the Presidential Climate Commission<\/a> to UK PACT to the City of Cape Town, and enabled the founding and growth of various collaborative organisations such as The Recyclers Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n

My previous work experience includes my positions within the Office of the City Manager at the City of Johannesburg<\/a> (Assistant Director), National Association of Social Housing Organisations<\/a> (Project Coordinator), UN-Habitat in Nairobi and an independent consultant for diverse projects for the South African Cities Network<\/a> and others. Previous non-paid work included my role as Chair of United World Colleges Trust South Africa<\/a> and founder of Innovate Jozi,\u00a0RideLink and co-living spaces in Langa and Muizenberg.<\/p>\n

From 2017 to 2021 I explored catalysing local changemaking through an interdisciplinary action research PhD <\/a>at Wits University. The PhD project was funded by Canon Collins Trust<\/a> for which I was nominated Scholar of Scholars, as well as the Wits School of Governance and the National Research Foundation. I used the opportunity to start the Makers Valley Partnership<\/a> where I remain Board Chairperson,\u00a0co-working spaces at Victoria Yards<\/a>, co-living Changemakers Residences like the Troyeville House<\/a>, and various collaborative initiatives such as Changemaker Children<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

Other academic qualifications include a MSc in Development Planning<\/a> (Distinction) from Wits University where I received awards including SAPI Best Student and was awarded Oppenheimer, National Research Foundation and other scholarships; a BSocSci from the University of Cape Town (Stream Distinction); and an International Baccalaureate from United World Colleges Red Cross Nordic<\/a> (full scholarship).<\/p>\n

I have been recognised as a Mail & Guardian top 200 Young South African<\/a>, by Brand South Africa as one of 40 South Africans<\/a> born since 1976 who have changed the country,\u00a0100 Young Mandelas of the Future<\/a>, and was awarded full scholarship to attend the Young African Leaders Initiative programme<\/a> initiated by President Obama. I am a member of Wellbeing Economy Africa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Collaborative publications include an urban safety policy brief on public spaces<\/a> and paper on how cities can ease spatial inequalities and enhance collective wellbeing<\/a> through early childhood development (SA Cities Network<\/a>), and a chapter on informal innovative residential typologies in Densifying the City? (Edgar Elgar).<\/a> Individual publications include a chapter in Politics and Community-Based Research (Wits Press)<\/a> and article on\u00a0accommodation and livelihoods (Urban Forum)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To access my LinkedIn profile, click here<\/a>.
\nTo download a copy of my two-pager curriculum vitae, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Selection of media<\/strong>
\nThe Troyeville House: Daily Maverick DM168 article<\/a> by Ufrieda Ho
\nMakers Valley Partnership: Daily Maverick article<\/a> by Maverick Citizen Editor, Mark Heywood
\nMVP’s The People’s Pantry: Daily Maverick article<\/a> by Michelle Banda.<\/p>\n