Dr Luyanda Mpahlwa, Cape Town-based Architect and Urban Designer and president of the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) obtained his Masters in Architecture at the Technical University of Berlin.

 

He is the Director of Luyanda Mpahlwa DesignSpaceAfrica, the architecture and design firm he founded in 2009. His architectural education in South Africa was interrupted when he was incarcerated on Robben Island Prison in 1981 for his anti-apartheid political activities. After his release from a 5-year prison term in 1986, he went into exile in Germany, where he spent 15 years in Berlin. He relocated back to South Africa in 2000 and established the Cape Town Studio of MMA Architects where he was Director/Partner for 12 years.

 

He is a member of South African professional bodies: SACAP; SAIA; CiFA; UDISA and SABTACO. He has participated as a Thesis External Examiner in various Universities, UCT, UKZN, WITS and NMMU and also served on the Advisory Committee of CPUT. From 2004-2008 he served in the UCT University Council and is currently serving in the Council of Walter Sisulu University.