Bushra Razack

Bushra Razack
Born (1986-05-02) 2 May 1986
Cape Town, South Africa
Alma materUniversity of the Western Cape
OccupationCommunity developer
Websitewww.philippivillage.co.za

Bushra Razack (born 2 May 1986) is a South African community development specialist, social impact leader, and systems thinker. She is best known for her role as a former CEO of Philippi Village, a mixed-use community and business hub in Philippi, Cape Flats, in Cape Town.[1][2] Her work spans inclusive economic development, social entrepreneurship, youth development, community safety and urban regeneration, youth development, and social enterprise.[3][4]

Early life

Razack was born in Cape Town, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. At the age of twelve, she represented South Africa at the first World Youth Congress, known as the Millennium Young People's Congress in Honolulu County, Hawaii.[5] She is a co-author of the book :"Rescue Mission", a youth assessment of the UN's Millennium Development Goals which was launched at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa.[6]

Career and Phillipi village

Razack began working as the chief executive officer at Philippi Village in August 2018.[7] Philippi Village is a mixed-use social enterprise and community development hub in Philippi, Cape Flats, in Cape Town, South Africa.[8] The village provides shared workspaces, business incubation, community infrastructure, education, and recreational facilities, aiming to support local economic development and social cohesion.[9][10][11][12][13] Razack is recognized for building collaborations between communities, government, businesses, and civil society to address complex social and economic challenges.

Phillipi Village

Razack joined Philippi Village as chief executive officer in August 2018, where, under her leadership, the organization expanded its role as a mixed-use social enterprise and community development hub in Philippi, Cape Town. [14]

Bushra Razack, former CEO of Philippi Village

Philippi Village brings together entrepreneurship support, business incubation, education and skills development, community infrastructure, and collaborative workspaces, with a focus on inclusive economic development and community-led regeneration in the Cape Flats.[15] Following her departure from the organization in 2025, Razack continued her involvement with Philippi Village as a non-executive board member. [16]

In 2024, Razack received the Best Social Enterprise in Africa Award at the Forty under 40 awards ceremony held on 30 March 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya for her work and contribution to Philippi Village.[17]

Razack serves on several boards and advisory bodies, including Boschendal Wine Estate, [18] Be The Earth (Trustee),[19] Bertha Centre For Social Innovation (steering committee member); Heartshine Foundation (non-executive board member); and Philippi Village (non-executive board member). She also advises a South African family office on social strategy, partnerships, and impact.

Awards and recognition

  • The Young Independents, Mzansi's 100 of 2017: Healer.[20]
  • In 2018 She was counted amongst the Top Young Independents.[21]
  • She was also awarded the Power Woman Award as Innovation Woman 2018.[22]
  • 40 Under 40 Awards—Best African Leader of a Social Entreprise (2024).[23][24][25]
  • Best in Community Development at the Forty Under 40 South Africa Awards (2024)
  • Selected as a member of the 10th Cohort of Global Female Leaders for the Vital Visionaries Program – a program run in partnership with Vital Voices Global Partnership and the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund
  • At the Three Cities Leadership Forum 2024, Bushra Razack was selected as one of Cape Town's emerging leaders.
  • African Leadership Initiative Fellow: Class XVI 2026.[26][27]

Personal life

Razack is a mom to two children. One of them is Ayana Razack, an activist and founder of the WO project.[28] Ayana is taking the city of Cape Town to account and making sure that the city's parks are safe spaces where children can play without fear.[29]

References

  1. ↑ "VV Visionaries in Partnership with the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund". Vital Voices. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  2. ↑ Robertson, Klara. "This Cape Town 'village' hub on reimagined land gives township entrepreneurs a chance". News24. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  3. ↑ "Bertha Centre". gsbberthacentre.uct.ac.za. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  4. ↑ Mkalipi, Mzwanele. "'It's an ongoing process': Hub empowers local community". News24. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  5. ↑ "Hawaii 1999 – Millennium Young People's Congress | Peace Child the Musical". Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  6. ↑ Magnusson, J.; Stewart, H. (2003). Target 2015: A Youth Introduction to the Millennium Development Goals. Peace Child International; Moroccan Youth Forum. doi:10.17613/zqb7-xs60.
  7. ↑ "From breaking down walls to community building on the Cape Flats". George Herald. 28 January 2026. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
  8. ↑ "Bushra Razack". Women of The Future. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
  9. ↑ ep-admin (6 April 2023). "Philippi Village – Reimagining Philippi; Reimagining solutions | Everything Property". Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  10. ↑ Tilburg, Linda van (8 March 2023). "Tech alone cannot create successful townships – Philippi village CEO". BizNews.com. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  11. ↑ Talk, Tech (14 October 2022). "PHILIPPI VILLAGE: A SUSTAINABLE MODEL TO HELP DRIVE TOWNSHIP ECONOMIES". Tech Talk. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  12. ↑ "Philippi Village Project: Empowering local entrepreneurs and creating jobs". Cape Town ETC. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  13. ↑ Phiri, Eric (15 November 2025). "Cape Town's Philippi Village strengthens leadership for sustainable growth". STOKVEL TALK. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  14. ↑ "Bushra Razack". Africa Leadership Initiative. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  15. ↑ "Women in Charge: Meet Social Impact Leader, Bushra Razack". www.glamour.co.za. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  16. ↑ K, Kim (7 January 2026). "Philippi Village strengthens leadership for growth". Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  17. ↑ "Bushra Razack, Philippi Village CEO, wins 'Forty Under 40 Africa' award in Kenya".
  18. ↑ "Bushra Razack". Vital Voices. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  19. ↑ "Flow Funding | Be The Earth". Be The Earth. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  20. ↑ "Mzansi's 100 of 2017: Healer, Bushra Razack – The Young Independents". Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  21. ↑ "Mzansi's 100 of 2017: Healer, Bushra Razack – The Young Independents". Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  22. ↑ "Women of Power Awards". Power (Propagation o. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  23. ↑ "2023 Nominees". Forty Under 40 Awards SA. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  24. ↑ Thomas (18 September 2023). "Philippi Village CEO Bushra Razack, Wins Prestigious Forty Under 40 Award". StartUp Magazine South Africa. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  25. ↑ Gierdien, Tasleem. "Bushra Razack, Philippi Village CEO, wins 'Forty Under 40 Africa' award in Kenya". EWN. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  26. ↑ Marketing, Alisa (16 January 2026). "Introducing ALI SA Class XVI!". Africa Leadership Initiative. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  27. ↑ "Bushra Razack". Africa Leadership Initiative. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  28. ↑ Gierdien, Tasleem. "Meet Ayana Razack, a 10-year old advocating to make public parks safer for every child..." EWN. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
  29. ↑ Moleya, Mahlatsi. "WATCH | 10-year old Ayana Razack is holding Cape Town accountable for safer playgrounds". News24. Retrieved 2026-06-24.
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