Rebecca Gatang'i

Rebecca Gatang’i is an accomplished urban development practitioner and currently serves as Programme Manager: Innovation at the South African Cities Network (SACN). She leads the production of the State of South African Cities Report (SoCR) SACN’s flagship five-year publication which draws on urban data intelligence to assess the performance, condition, and trajectories of South Africa’s major cities. Under her leadership, the SoCR has evolved into a foresight-driven platform that not only evaluates city systems but also leverages data as a strategic feed for shaping policy, planning, and innovation.

Her portfolio centres on advancing urban data intelligence as a foundation for evidence-based urban development, strengthening the strategic use of data to inform city decisions, and advocating for data ecosystems that enable adaptive and inclusive governance. Beyond the SoCR, she supports the review and formulation of long-term city development strategies, contributes to the Pan-African urban agenda and international relations, and serves as Secretariat to the Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF) South Africa’s national urban policy where she helps align intergovernmental and cross-sectoral collaboration for more data-informed urban transformation.

Rebecca holds a Master of Business Administration (cum laude) from Nelson Mandela University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems from the University of Botswana. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Development Studies and Diplomacy with the United Nations University for Peace, deepening her expertise at the intersection of strategy, governance, and international development.

Outside her professional commitments, Rebecca is a dedicated endurance triathlete and co-founder of Ketsh-Up, an initiative empowering women particularly African women to participate in triathlon through swimming and cycling skills development. She finds fulfilment in creating opportunities for women to thrive and redefining narratives around inclusion, resilience, and leadership.