Waterfront Changemakers: women driving progress and purpose

This Women’s Month, we’re turning the spotlight onto the women who shape the soul of the V&A Waterfront — not just through business or creativity, but through the impact they make every single day.

These women are our chefs, curators, founders and programme managers; our cleaning staff, gardeners, office personnel and security team – all superstar V&A women in their own right, who remind us that some of the most memorable experiences at the Waterfront are, in every way, Made By Her.

From entrepreneurs and team players to innovators and community leaders – these women are the changemakers whose passion, perseverance and purpose are woven into the fabric of our neighbourhood. Their influence can be seen and felt across every corner of Cape Town’s most iconic destination, making our neighbourhood a vibrant, inclusive and future-forward place to visit.

These women bring colour, creativity and connection to our offices, stores, eateries and public spaces – turning ideas into action, while leading and working with kindness and care.  More importantly, they leave an imprint – not only on their place of work, but on the people they work with, the visitors they serve and the clients for whom they make a difference.

This Women’s Month (and every month!), we’re proud to celebrate the stories of our inspiring V&A women. Here are just a few tributes to women behind Waterfront-defining moments that are Made By Her.

 Lindy Levy and Kira Cooked

This mother-and-daughter culinary duo illustrates how, behind every great woman, there is another powerful woman who inspires her. And how, in front of every woman, lies the next generation of women she’ll inspire in return.

Mother Lindy Levy and daughter Kira are the proud owners of Cooked, the Watershed’s newly revamped ground-floor eatery that has become a culinary destination for those with a taste for Middle Eastern flavours and fresh ingredients.

“The industry we’re in is not an easy game to play,” says Lindy of the restaurant scene. She advises aspiring women restaurateurs to get some kind of business experience before venturing into starting a food enterprise, and says that one also needs to have passion and a vision. “And you have to have patience…”

Kira adds that the way team members lean on one another for support is equally important when running such a business. “One thing I’ve learnt from my mother is that it’s not always about the end product, or about the final destination. What is important is how you treat others,” she says.

Harmonie Mbunga, Udo and Harmony

Harmonie Mbunga founded Udo and Harmony (at the V&A Waterfront’s Watershed) as a sustainable African fashion brand that celebrates African cloth and cultures through contemporary design. Her mission is to rewrite the African narrative in a way that resonates with the modern woman. She draws inspiration from things such as the heritage of African sculpture or the craftsmanship of Kuba cloth, and uses it to honour the richness our continent’s creative legacy.

“My message to young women, especially young women of colour, is that our dreams are also valid,” she says in light of Women’s Day. Harmonie places great value on women supporting one another, explaining, “We rise together. If I think on my experiences here at the Waterfront, it’s been women who have opened doors for me. And that’s how we collectively rise – by believing in ourselves and believing in one another.”

Women Waterfrontiers is what we like to call them – the women who form part of the V&A’s dedicated team that looks after our neighbourhood. Priscila Mphakathi is one such Waterfrontier. As a sustainability professional with a passion for protecting the environment, she supports decision-making and action-taking around ensuring our neighbourhood is a place that cares for the future of our planet. Priscilla also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, helping to build and improve houses for those in need of decent and affordable places to live.

“I’ve been at the V&A for a decade now,” she explains, “starting in health and safety and moving into environmental sustainability in 2020.” Priscilla says that working with tenants and contractors to ensure legal compliance, especially around sea pollution, has been a journey of both growth and resilience. “Coming from construction and inspection roles, I’ve often had to fight for respect in spaces where being a woman, particularly a black woman, seemed to count against me. I’ve had moments where my authority was questioned while a male intern was treated as more credible.” Her words of wisdom to other women who face similar situations? “Don’t dim your light or your femininity. You’ve earned your place and your work will prove it.”

Magdeline Tshidi V&A Waterfront

Another inspiring Waterfrontier behind the seamless operation and security of our neighbourhood, Magdeline Tshidi, Security Manager for commercial and marine. Magdeline brings over three decades of experience in aviation security into our dynamic, public-facing environment. Her story is one of growth, grit, and stepping into leadership in an industry where women are often overlooked.

Being a woman in a field where assertiveness and authority are daily requirements isn’t always easy. “Most women shy away from careers that require you to be the ‘negative voice’, having to stand firm and say no. But when you do something you know is right, that’s integrity.

Magdeline leads a team and ensures compliance with critical security standards, overseeing our commercial sites, such as the Cape Town Cruise Terminal, helistops and marine – playing a role that requires precision, leadership and presence. Her advice to other women? “Be persuasive, and willing to take risks. Don’t hold yourself back, taking up space demands strength. Sometimes, it’s in facing your challenges that you grow. Learn, adapt and lead, you belong in every room where decisions are made”

We believe that empowering women entrepreneurs is essential to growing a strong, sustainable economy in Cape Town. That’s why we support a diverse mix of women-owned businesses at the V&A Waterfront – from local design stores in Watershed and food enterprises at Makers Landing to restaurants, retail outlets and creative initiatives throughout Victoria Wharf and the greater Waterfront neighbourhood.

 If you’re in the neighbourhood, why don’t you pay these businesses a visit and show them your support too? Whether you are savouring a meal, discovering a handcrafted item or are moved by a public sculpture, chances are that it was Made by Her, for your ultimate enjoyment.

To read more about these and other women changemakers at the V&A Waterfront, visit our inspiring Change Chapters platform.