SAIA KZN Practice Breakfast with Dr Luyanda Mpahlwa
Practice Breakfast
June 5, 2026
Start: 07:30:00
End: 09:00:00
PERSPECTIVES ON ARCHITECTURE AND THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA
My Journey in practice…
The topic for the KZNIA Practice Breakfast is centred around my Journey in Architectural practice, exploring the question of ‘How architecture fits into the transformation agenda” in South Africa and beyond. This exploration will be shared through my early involvement in Architecture as a student in Durban, where I was enrolled at Natal University and later Technikon Natal. My talk originated from my reflections from my time as a young black student and the experiences I made as a student of architecture in what was then “institutions reserved for the white population”! The talk will touch on the critical role of pedagogy, including the teachers who played a role in my journey.
Further perspectives on the “narrative on architecture and the transformation agenda” will be explored through my work in practice, sharing experiences from various projects, Berlin, Germany, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and South Africa. The talk will also touch on the broader challenges facing post-colonial cities in the continent, from the perspective of the tension between the formal and informal cities and the rapid growth and urbanisation facing the continent, including South Africa. The transformation of our cities as inclusive and affordable environments is matter of continuing discourse.
Speaker Bio
Director, Architecture & Design Network
Adjunct Prof, UCT, African Centre for Cities (ACC)
Luyanda is a Cape Town based Architect & Urban Design practitioner, pursuing socially relevant architecture with a focus on the transformation of urban environments, in particular reimagining our cities as inclusive, affordable and liveable environments. He started his Architecture Education in 1978 at Natal University and further at Natal Technikon in 1980. He was incarcerated for 5years on Robben Island for his role in the anti-apartheid struggle. He left for South Africa in 1986 and later obtained a Masters’ in Architecture at the Technical University of Berlin, Germany where he spent 15 years in exile. He relocated back to SA in 2000. In 2010 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Walter Sisulu University in Science and Technology. He is SAIA Past President and currently, he is an Adjunct Professor at the UCT, African Centre for Cities.
Luyanda received various design Awards, including SAIA/Corobrik Award of Excellence in 2006 for the South African Embassy building in Berlin, Germany. He was the recipient of USA based Curry Stone Design Prize in 2008 for the Design Indaba Sandbag Low-Cost House in Mitchells Plein, Cape Town. He was part of the technical team of advisors for the construction of the 2010 World Cup Stadia in South Africa.
Members: Free
Non-Members Cost: Attendance is Free, R150 admin fee payable on request of CPD certificate
CPD Value: CAT 1- 0,2 credits
