Talking Transformation

An open conversation addressing contemporary city building and spatial transformation issues in South Africa.

Talking Transformation is a society podcast hosted by Pete Ahmad, with 104 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Pete Ahmad hosts Talking Transformation, a society show with 104 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #4

  TTPod 5.4: "Journey of a Candidate Town Planner" - In Conversation with Tunisia Cassim

  Dec 17, 20251h 7mS5

  <p>This TTPod episode is a perfect example of the kind of conversation we want to amplify on this platform.</p><p><br></p><p>I'm joined online from Tshwane by Tunisia Cassim, recently recognised as one of the South African Council for Planners’ Top 30 Women in Planning for 2025. Tunisia’s journey is truly inspiring and reflective of many of the challenges young planners face.</p><p><br></p><p>She shares her early days navigating bursaries and retrenchments, to the resilience and perseverance needed during the COVID-era, JUST when her career was changing gears. And more recently we share in t...

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  Episode #3

  TTPod 5.3: "The Other Side of the Tracks" In Conversation with Transnet Executive - Yolisa Kani

  Nov 14, 202551 minS5

  <p>In this TTPod episode we’re catching up with someone who’s become a real friend of the podcast and a standout leader in South Africa’s public sector: Yolisa Kani. She’s back with me in Cape Town, bringing her trademark energy and a wealth of experience from both government and the private sector.  </p><p>If you’ve followed Yolisa’s journey, you’ll know she’s spent decades at the forefront of transformation—blending policy, stakeholder negotiation, and commercial leadership to drive real change in how people and goods move across the country.  </p><p>After a four-year stint leading public pol...

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  Episode #1

  TTPod 5.2: "The Chaos Precinct" - In conversation with Author and Planner, Dr. Tanya Zack

  Aug 18, 202545 minS5

  <p>Welcome back to the Talking Transformation Podcast! We'redelighted to welcome back Tanya Zack, a renowned urban planner and author, joining us from Johannesburg. </p><p> </p><p>Tanya first graced our podcast in February 2023 when shediscussed her book "Wake Up, This is Joburg!", a fascinatingexploration of inner-city Johannesburg urban landscape and the vibrant communities operating within that space. </p><p> </p><p>In this episode, Tanya is here to talk about her latestbook, "The Chaos Precinct", set in the so-called, 'Ethiopian Quarter' in the inner city of Johannesburg, a vibrant area known for its cross-border shopping. This precinct, pioneered by...

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  Episode #1

  TTPod 5.1: "Unlocking Networks & Potential With Community Data" in conversation with Wakamoso Africa's Dr Melani Prinsloo and Mike Matthews

  May 29, 20251h 1mS5

  <p>It's been a busy couple of months behind the scenes of the Talking Transformation podcast. </p><p><br></p><p>I've been eager to introduce a visual element to the podcast to highlight some of the rich visual imagery and products highlighted by our guests. </p><p>This has involved a lot of upskilling and learning on my part to ensure that what we produce is both fit for purpose and adds value to our listeners (soon to be listeners AND viewers!).</p><p>So, here it is, Series 5, Episode 1, and the first visual introduction to the TTPod’s fi...

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  Episode #7

  TTPod 4.7: "Lines, Wines and Tears!" - the ups and downs of Johannesburg's post-2000 Metro Planning Policy

  Oct 27, 202446 minS4

  <p>We follow up from our introductory episode with a second podcast episode featuring the planners who have worked as the head of the City of Johannesburg's Metro Planning unit 2000: Johan Olivier, Pete Ahmad, Nkateko Shipalana, Thandeka Mlaza-Lloyd and Minenhle Maphumulo. </p> <p>These guests represent a straight line of succession from the inception of the metro in 2000. Their availability and willingness to share their experiences presents a unique opportunity to go deep into the themes and aspects of metro scale planning. </p> <p>In this episode we consider some of the processes and plans that have become fundamentals of...

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