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Mail & Guardian
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Emphasise the ‘just' aspect of the just energy transition
Undermining: Communities that rely on fossil fuels for their livelihoods must be taken into consideration in the transition to cleaner energy. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy South Africa's nationwide electricity blackouts have been suspended, but the nation still faces a 'risk of another energy crisis', the 2025 But, for the transition to be fair and effective, it must be anchored in strategies that prioritise equity and inclusion. Without this foundation, inequalities and the marginalisation of vulnerable groups, such as those who rely on fossil fuel industries and infrastructure for their livelihoods, will intensify. Through the implementation of several national frameworks and strategic plans to execute the shift, South Africa's commitment to a just transition is evident, but the real challenge is ensuring it lives up to the promise not only of energy security but also of justice. The Examples include a poorly maintained and ageing Eskom was a primary site through which 'state capture' was executed, further undermining justice in energy reliability, access and affordability. These issues underscore the importance of prioritising a shift toward more sustainable and decentralised energy sources — a vital component in addressing the energy crisis. Based on the The Just Transition Framework is a strategic plan to guide the transition's actions and desired outcomes and affirms the commitment to inclusion and equity. It states among the goals 'decent work for all, social inclusion, and the eradication of poverty'. Across the initiatives carried out thus far, such as the Just Transition Framework and Implementation Plan, the significance placed on socio-economic considerations is encouraging. But acknowledgement is just the starting point and actualising these considerations demands more than mere words. There are considerable disparities in the extent to which social equity measures are integrated into provincial and city-level transition plans. In the findings of a research report by SouthSouthNorth and Net Zero Tracker it emerged that only the Western Cape and Johannesburg have extensive 'just' transition considerations in place to support communities during the shift. These considerations mainly refer to social justice factors and principles: equity, fairness and access. The majority of the country is still behind in establishing strategies that realise the core principle of the just energy transition — that 'no one is left behind'. The lack of comprehensive social equity strategies in the provinces for the transition is alarming. Most vulnerable are regions reliant on coal, which accounts for more than 80% of our energy supply. Beyond the harm to the natural environment, dependence on this fossil fuel is a concern because it amplifies the potential adverse effects associated with the decarbonisation process. Examples include loss of livelihoods, job redundancy, a skills mismatch post transition, compromised energy security and potential economic devastation for coal-reliant communities. These are likely to affect, to varying degrees, any country undergoing a shift to green energy but, given South Africa's dependence on coal both for export revenue and generating electricity, mitigating these negative effects becomes proportionally greater. Although there are considerable risks associated with the transition, this does not negate the need to shift to greener energy sources and should not be used to oppose the transition. Hypothetically, if we persist with our current energy system, remaining a fossil-fuel-dependent country will have considerably worse socio-economic implications than those of the just energy transition. Indeed, the hidden costs of coal are significant. Drawing from insights in It is thus clear that the most sustainable and prudent move is to proceed with the transition. With the compelling argument that the transition is inevitable, it becomes even more important to reinforce that it should be carried out justly. But at the provincial The question policymakers ought to consider is, how can we effectively actualise the 'just' element — prioritising inclusion and equity — of the energy transition in the immediate, intermediate and longer term? National frameworks such as the Just Energy Transition Framework, the Just Transition Investment Plan and the Implementation Plan include moderately comprehensive 'just' principles, considerations and measures. The issue is many provincial and city-level plans do not have the same scope as national frameworks. There are also clear inconsistencies and a lack of nationwide alignment in relation to the development and implementation of transition plans that are 'just'. Some provinces have comprehensive plans in place; others have minimal to none. Moreover, there are intra-provincial discrepancies — meaning that urban centres (such as Johannesburg and Cape Town) in a province often exhibit more robust transition efforts than the province where they are situated. This nationwide misalignment is a major obstacle to overcome in ensuring that no one is left behind during the transition process. The importance of taking a people-centred, bottom-up approach in all stages of the transition cannot be overstated. Community consultation and participation ensures the needs and interests of stakeholders are incorporated into policy. The result of this is two-fold: it reinforces the principle of nobody being left behind and strengthens grassroot-level support and trust in the transition. As stated by Narend Singh, the deputy minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment, 'It is essential that we approach this transition with humanity, providing support, training and creating new opportunities within the renewable energy sector.' Interventions that foster inclusion are reskilling and training initiatives as well as targeted social protection programmes. Actualising these is a fundamental step in translating the 'just' dimension of the energy transition into practical implementation. To ensure the transition aligns with its intended purpose, it ought to have a strong foundation rooted in concrete and consistent support strategies, as well as inclusion and equitable access to transition benefits. Ignoring these fundamentals risks intensifying socio-economic inequalities. Ultimately, the 'just' aspect of the just energy transition is both a practical necessity and a moral imperative for building South Africa's sustainable future. Sisanda Lupondwana is a research intern in the Natural Resource Governance and Climate Change programme at Good Governance Africa.
News24
28-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
Ramaphosa touts state capture gains; Citrus at risk: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. Graphic: Sharlene Rood/News24 News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. Ramaphosa claims 'significant progress' in implementing state capture recommendations - President Ramaphosa claims 'significant progress' in implementing accountability and institutional reforms related to state capture, reporting 48% completion of actions from the Zondo Commission's recommendations. - Nearly R11 billion in stolen public funds has been recovered, with high-profile state capture cases scheduled for trials in 2025-2026. - Despite progress, criticism remains regarding implicated ministers still in office and the effectiveness of reforms in preventing future state capture. Lisalee Solomons/News24 Alleged Cape Town baby snatcher Shamiema Jacobs granted bail - Shamiema Jacobs, accused of kidnapping a nine-day-old baby in Cape Town, was granted R4 000 bail. - The magistrate imposed strict conditions, including that Jacobs cannot go to Mitchells Plain and Strandfontein and must report to the police three times a week. - Jacobs faces charges of kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice after the baby was found at her home. Emma Powell resigns as DA's international relations spokesperson - Emma Powell resigned as the DA's international relations spokesperson after being accused of spreading disinformation about South Africa during a US visit. - The DA had previously requested protection for Powell amid allegations that she undermined SA's international relations by pushing an anti-government agenda in the US. - Ryan Smith will take over Powell's role, and she will remain a member of the DA caucus in Parliament with a new portfolio to be announced soon. Gallo Images/Die Burger/Theo Jeptha Ramaphosa denies Mchunu special treatment, justifies Cachalia costs in court papers - President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave amid corruption allegations, citing it as rational and constitutional. - MK Party and Jacob Zuma challenged the special leave, Cachalia's appointment, and the inquiry in the Constitutional Court, claiming they are unconstitutional. - Ramaphosa justified appointing Professor Cachalia as acting minister to uphold criminal justice legitimacy, despite the costs, and denies giving Mchunu special farmers warn of rotting fruit as US tariff deadline looms - The SA Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) is concerned about a looming 30% tariff from the US on 1 August, which could make farmland unprofitable. - The CGA is requesting urgent government intervention to secure a new trade deal with the US or a special extension of the 10% universal tariff for fresh produce exports. - If the 30% tariff is implemented, farmers could see 500 to 1 000 hectares of farmland become unprofitable, and many cartons of citrus will be left unsold. Richard Huggard/Gallo Images Gutted Wallabies give Rassie fresh incentive to mobilise his '7-1' Bok brew - Despite improved performances from Skelton and Valetini, the Wallabies still lack consistent forward power. - The Springboks may use a forward-heavy bench split (6-2 or 7-1) to exploit this weakness in the upcoming Rugby Championship matches. - South Africa has dominated Australia in recent matches, winning the last four encounters. Show Comments ()
The Herald
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
What do you think of Zondo's outburst about his ‘pain' swearing in ministers ‘linked' to state capture?
Former chief justice Raymond Zondo's recent scathing rebuke of President Cyril Ramaphosa has sparked a debate. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Zondo said it pained him to swear in ministers who had serious state capture allegations against them. 'It was like the president was saying, 'I don't care what you have found about the people. I think they are good enough to be promoted',' Zondo said. 'The recommendations made in the state capture report were based on evidence that was led transparently when the entire nation was watching. We are defending the report because we believe it is sound. But I had to swear them in, remembering what I found against them.' The four-year inquiry has yielded few results, and some ANC top brass have contested it in court. Several ANC ministers have been embroiled in corruption allegations, including human settlements minister Thembi Simelane, police minister Senzo Mchunu who was recently placed on special leave, and Nobuhle Nkabane, who was dismissed as higher education minister. Zondo said Ramaphosa had been 'inconsistent' in disciplining cabinet ministers implicated in wrongdoing. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya dismissed Zondo's concerns, saying he has had access to the president whenever there were matters of concern to be discussed.
Mail & Guardian
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Corruption a tightening noose around South Africa's neck
As revealed by the Zondo commission, corruption has penetrated every layer of society and continues to strangle our nation. Graphic: John McCann/M&G 'Ultimate disruptor' was how Forbes Africa dubbed Covid-19 in June 2020 for its sweeping impact across global business and society. Yet, for South Africa, a far more threatening disruptor has long been tightening its grip: corruption. Corruption is once again under the spotlight. This time it's for allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, against senior members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), including Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu. The endemic corruption 'virus' has ceased to operate in the shadows. It is visible, active and strangling our nation's future. As revealed in great detail in the state capture reports at the Zondo commission, corruption has morphed into multiple guises and its insidious tentacles have penetrated every layer of our society. From tax evasion, fraud, bribery, nepotism, misuse of government funds, maladministration, extortion and the recent allegations against the upper echelons of the police service, corruption's destructive reach undermines South Africa's political, financial and societal sustainability. Each rigged contract, sold degree qualification and policy that is manipulated for personal gain, does not merely siphon funds, it chips away at society's moral fibre, erodes human dignity, hinders economic growth and, more critically, puts lives at risk. And it is the most vulnerable, those already burdened by poverty and poor service delivery, who suffer the most. Worse still, corruption has become normalised. Wrapped in phrases like 'our turn to eat' and 'we didn't join the [freedom] struggle to be poor', it cultivates a false sense of entitlement and impunity. This embeds criminality into the social and institutional fabric of our society. As communities, particularly the youth, watch unpunished looting unfold, faith in leadership and public institutions collapse and moral decay spreads. The cost of corruption Although difficult to quantify, corruption undoubtedly places a huge burden on the country, financially, institutionally and socially. Financially, the damage is staggering. In the World Bank's 2023 report, Bénédicte Baduel showed how crime was shaving about 10% from South Africa's GDP. She estimates the loss to our economy at R700 billion a year. Coupled with South Africa's placement on the Financial Action Task Force's 'grey list', the message is clear: South Africa must manage economic crime more effectively. Institutionally, government structures buckle under the weight of corruption. State-owned enterprises such as SAA and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) basically collapsed. 'Ghost' government employees siphon off millions of rands, and extortion mafias sabotage infrastructure projects, demand protection fees and exploit public works for personal enrichment. As budgets are drained, service delivery deteriorates, leaving people without reliable services. Socially, the consequences are equally dire. Corruption betrays the democratic ideals for which so many of our political leaders fought and died for. These values should define who we are as a nation because they are enshrined in our Constitution and Bill of Rights. But, when political leaders and public officials abuse their roles for personal enrichment, not only do they mock the values that underpin our democracy, they also signal to our society that greed trumps integrity. Hence, hard work becomes devalued, ethical leadership is undermined and the seeds of cynicism, apathy and deviousness are sown. Where corruption is rife, fear, trauma, low productivity and institutional collapse are common. These make up the toxic mix that become the push factors for skills migration, and loss of investor confidence. From criminal crisis to moral collapse The tightening grip of corruption on our society is no longer just a criminal crisis, it is a moral and sustainability catastrophe. The hollowing out of what were capable state institutions and the dire effect on the economy will rob our youth of a viable future. In addition, it corrodes the ethical foundations of society and it weakens social bonds. Furthermore, when institutions fail and unemployment is on the increase, it breeds hopelessness and fuels a vicious cycle of poverty and despair. Restoring South Africa's moral fibre Despite efforts by successive government administrations to curb corruption through initiatives such as the Mpati and Zondo commissions, most of the perpetrators remain unpunished with no consequence management. In fact, many of those implicated officials still hold public office. And as accountability stalls, corruption mutates, adapts, becomes emboldened and multiplies. Uprooting corruption requires more than commissions of inquiry. It needs a two-pronged approach: justice through the rule of law by strengthening the judicial organs of state and Chapter 9 institutions, and soft power — cultural and paradigm shifts, and personal agency. Civil society should embark on an intentional moral regeneration campaign. Families, educators, faith groups and civil society all have a critical role in shaping a generation that values honesty, integrity, service and the common good. A corrupt-free society is not the responsibility of the government alone, it is everyone's responsibility. The heart of our recovery lies in values-based civic renewal. In addition, whistleblowers should be commended and protected, and more effective systems that govern procurement and financial transactions must be implemented. Even though corruption has left deep and indelible wounds in the body politic and economic fabric of our society, it is not invincible but it needs to be tackled with the same zeal that defeated apartheid. Therefore efforts to eradicate it requires inner resolve and commitment to bring about the requisite change. We should all collaborate to grow a stronger, ethically driven society. Our society must reignite the values that built our democracy — justice, accountability and ubuntu, so that everyone stands to benefit from a more sustainable future. We owe it to the future generations to build a legacy of peace, prosperity and harmony. This should be our national calling. A society that works to defeat corruption together, builds hope together. Rudi Kimmie is an independent higher education and organisation development specialist. He writes in his personal capacity.
Mail & Guardian
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Police saga may define Cyril's legacy
President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G) State capture is becoming a haunting South Africanism. The term is indigenous to our shores and, although it occurs elsewhere, it has flourished on our soil. The two words encapsulate everything that has gone wrong with the country and its institutions over the past 10 years. Its dark spectre is once more at the heart of another scandal. Even painted onto the backdrop of that history, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's aspersions are frightful. In a news briefing on Sunday, the military-clad Mkhwanazi alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is in the pocket of organised crime. The resultant rot, he says, continues to delay justice in a number of high-profile cases. Mchunu has refuted the claims. President Cyril Ramaphosa called it 'a grave national security concern' and has promised to deal 'with it when I get home [from the Brics Summit in Brazil]'. We are witnessing the beginning of a saga that will take many turns before it is filed away. Even with those caveats accounted for, these allegations highlight deep systemic problems that most observers have suspected lie within the country's law enforcement. These are not isolated bribes, but accounts of an infection spreading through the nervous system, from top down. That is what we've come to painfully understand as state capture. Ramaphoria was the belief that we now had a leader that was going to reverse the rot. It was his promised destiny to restore integrity to the state's institutions. Instead it will be his legacy if he fails to do that. We are still waiting for the prosecutions that were predicted to result from the Zondo inquiry into state capture allegations. Whispers have long cast doubts on the National Prosecuting Authority's ability to pursue high-profile figures. The battle to keep the criminally accused out of political structures has been a fatiguing watch. Malfeasance in the police apparatus goes beyond Ramaphosa, and even his predecessor. A damning article in The New York Times this week reported that incidents of torture by officers are alarmingly high. The preferred method is 'tubing': a technique common during apartheid of foisting an inside tyre tube — hence the name — or plastic bag over a victim's face. These editorial pages have dedicated an inordinate amount of space to condemning the 'shoot-to-kill' attitude that has proliferated; a hangover from a corrupt, racist regime. If this week's allegations are true then there is no mistaking that we are living in a mafia state. Ramaphosa has promised to make this a priority. Whether he follows through in a meaningful way will define how history remembers his presidency.
