Rebecca Gatangi

Rebecca Gatang’i is an accomplished urban development practitioner and passionate endurance athlete whose journey in sport has become a platform for empowerment and inclusion. A two-time Comrades Marathon finisher and dedicated triathlete, she has competed in triathlon races such as IRONMAN and Challenge, as well as endurance events of varying distances, alongside numerous cycling, swimming, and ultra-running races. She has recently embraced trail running, continuing to explore the boundaries of personal and collective resilience. Rebecca is the co-founder of Ketsh-Up, a women’s triathlon initiative that empowers and equips women, particularly African women, to acquire cycling and swimming skills, challenge stereotypes, and diversify the triathlon landscape. Through Ketsh-Up, she actively advocates for greater access, visibility, and participation of women in sport, inspiring others through her own story of perseverance and purpose. Professionally, she serves as Programme Manager: Innovation at the South African Cities Network (SACN), where she leads work on urban data intelligence and the State of South African Cities Report a flagship publication that uses data-driven insights to shape more inclusive and sustainable urban futures. She holds an MBA (cum laude) from Nelson Mandela University and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Development Studies and Diplomacy with the United Nations University for Peace. Married and a proud mother of three incredible daughters, Rebecca embodies the values of leadership, resilience, and transformation both on the race course and in her professional life, championing spaces where women can be fully seen, supported, and celebrated.