Bushra Razack: CEO of Philippi Village, Aims To Create a Better Future for Cape Town Disadvantaged Communities

Bushra Razack: CEO of Philippi Village, Aims To Create a Better Future for Cape Town Disadvantaged Communities

  • Bushra Razack, CEO of Philippi Village, is on a mission to reshape the future for Cape Town's underserved communities
  • With unwavering determination, she spearheads initiatives that uplift the disadvantaged, bringing hope and opportunity where it's needed most
  • Speaking to Briefly News, Razack aims to create a safe and vibrant space that connects the Philippi community to necessary services

PAY ATTENTION: Have you recorded a funny video or filmed the moment of fame, cool dance, or something bizarre? Inbox your personal video on our Facebook page!

Busra Razack creates a space where communities can come and access equal opportunities
Bushra Razack, who is the CEO of Philippi Village, aims to empower disadvantaged communities in Cape Town. Images: Pictures Supplied.
Source: Original

Bushra Razack exhibited a profound passion for community engagement and youth development from a young age.

Bushra Razack: A visionary change maker

Razack believes in the power of purpose and has made it her life's mission to contribute to meaningful change. As the CEO of Philippi Village, her journey has been a testament to her unwavering commitment to creating a brighter future for underprivileged communities.

Read also

The fight over a 'dangerous' ideology shaping AI debate

Razack says:

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly News on your News Feed!

"My purpose is to serve. I want to be useful and contribute to making a difference – using my words, actions and work to get closer to the outcome."
"Being inspired by these individuals and driven by purpose allows me to be a little more resilient and committed to the outcome despite challenges and setbacks."

A community transformation

Today, as the CEO of Philippi Village, Bushra has taken her passion for community development to new heights. This integrated, mixed-use development has become a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Cape Town's Cape Flats area.

Philippi Village not only provides collaborative workspaces but also focuses on creating employment opportunities and upskilling local community members. In an area plagued with crime and violence, it serves as a vibrant and secure place for social engagement, embodying Bushra's belief in changing perceptions and fostering lasting change within communities.

Read also

In Colombia, a community wins fight to protect a slice of paradise

"We know that we want to be the place that supports individuals and community. We know that the Philippi area is one of the most underserved and under-resourced in the country."
"Our approach puts the community at the heart of the design process. It recognises that the people who use the space will provide the most valuable perspective and insight into how the area functions."
"The more we can centre this as the evidence behind the design, the more relevant and meaningful our place becomes. "
Philippi Village a place where people can get ample opportunities.
The Philippi Village team changed this old, deserted cement factory into a lively place where the community can grow and develop. Images: Pictures Supplied.
Source: Original

This innovative centre and mixed-use development boast impressive facilities, including sporting venues, entrepreneurial hubs, collaborative workspaces, a vegetable farm, and much more. These have been meticulously designed and created over the past three years, thanks to Bushra's placemaking approach.

"These are spaces and offerings designed in partnership with the community."
"These activities help us shift the meaning of the place and use the physical structure to connect people, ideas, and opportunity."

Read also

Lisolethu Jacobs, Miss Teen Universe South Africa, leads youth empowerment charge against bullying and unemployment

" It demonstrates the role physical places can play in enhancing connection and being a driver in how people come together, communicate, relate, and share."

Her tireless commitment to community and people has brought Philippi Village to life and connected residents to opportunities, services, and, most importantly, each other.

" It’s my job to work with people who live in the community that I work in, to learn from them. They are the experts. For me to know that my work has an impact, I need to be guided by the people with the lived experience – the people most affected."
" I would like to create a place that serves people – an important and inspiring community asset collectively shaped by the people who use it."

In essence, Bushra Razack's journey is a shining example of how purpose-driven leadership can transform communities and uplift the lives of those most in need. Her work continues to inspire, reminding us of the incredible impact one can make when driven by a vision of positive change.

Read also

KZN woman shares TikTok video of her civil engineering journey, inspires Mzansi

Cape Town's female-run solar plant

In similar stories, Briefly News reported about Cape Town's pioneering all-woman solar panel assembly plant, led by former SANDF captain Rene Salmon.

Manufacturing solar panels for low-income households across Africa, this groundbreaking facility is just the second in sub-Saharan Africa.

Salmon says she empowers her team through training, fostering a supportive environment where experienced women mentor newcomers.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Trisha Pillay avatar

Trisha Pillay (Weekend current affairs editor) Trisha Pillay is a Current Affairs writer at Briefly News. She has a degree in Journalism from the University of Johannesburg and an Honours degree in International Politics from UNISA. She joined ENCA straight out of varsity and completed an internship at the channel. Pillay later went on to cover politics, crime, entertainment, and current affairs at the Citizen Newspaper. She joined Newzroom Afrika in 2019 and became a senior bulletin editor for shows focused on politics and current affairs on the channel. She joined Briefly News in 2023. You can contact her at trisha.pillay@briefly.co.za