Hi, I’m
Jacqueline Samson-Swartz
Claremont
Summary
Seasoned town and regional planner for over 30 years with a strong background in both public and private sectors in South Africa. Operates an urban planning and strategic planning consultancy, leveraging extensive experience in executive management roles within local and provincial government. Proven track record in land use planning and project management across diverse sectors.
Overview
1
Certification
32
years of professional experience
Work History
J SAMSON CONSULTANCY
BUSINESS OWNER
04.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Managed cross-functional teams and stakeholders to coordinate project objectives and enhance collaborative efforts.
- Provided consultancy for property development rights applications, guiding clients through regulatory processes.
- Facilitated strategic planning sessions for spatial development frameworks to enhance project outcomes.
- Conducting due diligence / feasibility assessments of development potential of properties.
- Processed land-use management applications, including rezoning, subdivision, consent use, and departure applications to ensure compliance and facilitate development.
Drakenstein MunicipalityPaarl, South Africa
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
07.2021 - 03.2023
Job overview
- Executed Climate Partnership between Drakenstein Municipality and City of Neumarkt. (2021 to 2023). The programme received backing through the Service Agency Communities in One World (SKEW) via Engagement Global and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The funding and expertise were applied for local environmental projects, enhancing climate change resilience, and promoting sustainable practices.
- Led strategic planning and implementation initiatives, aligning organisational objectives with key performance indicators to support sustainable growth.
- Strategic manager for Land use planning, Environmental Management, Economic Development, Tourism and Human Settlement Management.
- Chaired high-level meetings, presenting reports and strategic insights to the board of directors and key stakeholders.
- Managed cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and optimising team performance across the organisation.
- Served as chairperson of the Municipal Planning Tribunal, Property Development Forum.
- Developed investment area management strategy and compiled land release report for Council approval, facilitating strategic growth and development.
Western Cape Provincial Government
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
01.2020 - 06.2021
Job overview
- Led development and implementation of Human Settlements Strategy, aligning departmental goals with provincial housing objectives.
- Executive management of department budget and performance.
- Provided strategic support to Provincial MEC for Human Settlements, facilitating informed decision-making and policy direction.
- Managed department budget and developed integrated human settlements plans that ensured spatial, economic, and social viability.
Western Cape Provincial Government
CHIEF DIRECTOR: HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PLANNING
07.2008 - 12.2019
Job overview
- Led planning of provincial and municipal human settlements, developed policies and research, and managed projects in subsidy and affordable housing market along with Department’s property and land assets.
- Led team by example to align objectives with overall organisational strategy.
- Developed and supervised staff by providing orientation, training, support and direction.
- Managed client relationships to boost retention and maximise revenue.
Urban Dynamics Western Cape
SHAREHOLDER/DIRECTOR
01.1997 - 06.2008
Job overview
- Contributed as a shareholder in strategic company decisions and collaborated with management team to market and manage company effectively.
- Drafted and obtained approvals for development rights of private and government property as a professional town and regional planner.
- Developed forward planning and zoning schemes for municipalities to guide future land use and development.
City of Florida, USAFlorida
PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGE CANDIDATE (SOUTH AFRICAN PLANNING INSTITUTE)
08.1996 - 12.1996
Job overview
- Collaborated with core team to draft Urban Redevelopment Plan for Main Street, City of Florida City, addressing post-Hurricane damage.
- Reviewed and processed disaster funding applications for housing and business rehabilitation, facilitating recovery efforts.
Tommy Brummer Town & Regional Planners
ASSISTANT TOWN & REGIONAL PLANNER
03.1995 - 07.1996
Job overview
- Drafted Spatial Development Frameworks to support Municipal Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process.
- Consulted with council, landowners and national authorities to achieve relevant permissions and progress projects towards deadlines.
- Drafted town planning applications in accordance with town planning legislation, facilitating approvals from Provincial and Local Authorities.
South Cape Regional Services Council
ASSISTANT TOWN & REGIONAL PLANNER
04.1994 - 02.1995
Job overview
- Evaluated Structure Plans and Development Plans for strategic alignment.
- Managed land use regulations to ensure adherence to local policies and guidelines.
- Assessed town planning applications and drafted reports for Council review.
Education
Stellenbosch UniversityStellenbosch, South Africa
Masters from Town and Regional Planning
01-1993
University Overview
- Thesis in Impact of Industrial land uses on air pollution
University of the Western CapeBellville, South Africa
BA (Hon)Postgrad from Geography
01-1991
University of the Western CapeBellville, South Africa
BA from Geography and Psychology
01-1990
Belhar Senior SecondaryBelhar, South Africa
Matric/Grade 12 from Geography
01-1987
Skills
- Project management
- Financial management
- Strategic planning
- Feasibility analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Environmental assessment
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Investor engagement
- Executive communication
- Decision-Making authority
Custom
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION: South African Council of Planners (SACPLAN)
BOARD MEMBERSHIP (i) Western Province Cricket Board (ii) Ecosmart Property Development Company (ii) Knysna Municipal Planning Tribunal
Certification
- Municipal Minimum Competency modules, 2022-01-01
- Executive Induction Programme & Ethics, 2020-01-01
- Short course on Property Management, UCT, 2018-01-01
- Post Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership (Public Administration), PALAMA – National School of Government, 2014-01-01
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Afrikaans
Proficient
C2
Interests
- Arts and Culture
- Road running
- Community development
- Pastoral care
Accomplishments
- Built and nurtured key client relationships to attract and retain investment in local municipal area.
- Streamlined workflow by consolidating lengthy processes and redundant documentation which resulted in more effective and timely completion of land use applications and building plan approvals.
- Created and developed critical human settlements and urban planning policies to consistently exceed quality and production targets.
- Received Provincial Gold Award for Best Public Service Leader in 2015 and National Silver Award for Public Service Leader in 2015.
Timeline
BUSINESS OWNER
J SAMSON CONSULTANCY
04.2023 - Current
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Drakenstein Municipality
07.2021 - 03.2023
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
Western Cape Provincial Government
01.2020 - 06.2021
CHIEF DIRECTOR: HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PLANNING
Western Cape Provincial Government
07.2008 - 12.2019
SHAREHOLDER/DIRECTOR
Urban Dynamics Western Cape
01.1997 - 06.2008
PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGE CANDIDATE (SOUTH AFRICAN PLANNING INSTITUTE)
City of Florida, USA
08.1996 - 12.1996
ASSISTANT TOWN & REGIONAL PLANNER
Tommy Brummer Town & Regional Planners
03.1995 - 07.1996
ASSISTANT TOWN & REGIONAL PLANNER
South Cape Regional Services Council
04.1994 - 02.1995
Stellenbosch University
Masters from Town and Regional Planning
University of the Western Cape
BA (Hon)Postgrad from Geography
University of the Western Cape
BA from Geography and Psychology
Belhar Senior Secondary
Matric/Grade 12 from Geography