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Proceedings Report
ASSAf Forum on the Just Transition Workshop (6th Session), Mpumalanga
Year of Publication : 2025
Language : en
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Abstract (English) : On 16 September 2024, ASSAf, in partnership with the University of Mpumalanga hosted a public engagement workshop on the Just Transition. The workshop is organised under the auspices of the ASSAf Just Transition Forum, and this was its 6 th session since the forum was launched in January 2021. The workshop focused on amongst others, requirements for sector skills demand in line with the Just Transition, and the socio-economic challenges facing the people of Mpumalanga in relation to the transition to a lowcarbon economy in South Africa. The discussions were anchored on the following four themes: Contextualising the Just Transition (towards a system change), The Economics and Science of the Transition and Employment – Policy Perspectives for Impact, Civil society engagement and perspectives on Just Transition, National System of Innovation Challenges of Just Transitions. In her welcome address, Professor Thoko Mayekiso, Vice Chancellor, University of Mpumalanga and Member of the ASSAf JT Forum, reminded everyone that “we are gathered here to embark on a transformative journey centred on the just transition. We come together this morning not as observers but as catalysts for change, united by our commitment to foster positive shifts in our communities”. The opening segment of the workshop focussed on providing an overview of the long-run history underpinning the current climate crisis and contextualising the just transition in the realities of South Africa. Professor Rasigan Maharajh, Chief Director of the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI), Tshwane University of Technology and Vice-chairperson of the ASSAf Just Transition Forum presented data about the contemporary conjuncture with respect to the combined yet uneven development of capitalism across world systems and the emergence of multiple polycrises. He further unpacked the extent of changes required to redress ecological precarity and the metabolic rift between the human species, nature, and biophysical planetary boundaries on further development. Professor Vusi Gumede, Dean for Economic, Development and Business Sciences, University of Mpumalanga presented on the possible impacts of the Just Energy Transition on the economy, the Just Energy Transition and jobs, the Just Energy Transition and communities reliant on coal mining, critical minerals value chains and Just Energy Transition, and policy, legislative & other interventions. Further to that, the panel respondents provided a critical evaluation of current policies and practices of economic policy thinking with a specific focus on the emergent challenges for capacitating and upskilling the labour force to advance a truly just transition. “We must do everything we can, within climate constraints, to ensure our economy is more competitive & create opportunities for every person in South Africa. In that context, lifting people out of poverty, inequality and unemployment is our primary goal”, was the take-home message from Mr Devan Pillay, Head of Institutional Support, Presidential Climate Commission’s presentation. His presentation was followed by Dr Rendani Mamphiswana, Head of Research & Innovation, Nafasi Water Technologies, and DSI/NRF Research Chair in Industrial Development, University of Johannesburg. Dr Mamphiswana’s presentation captured the complexities and challenges whilst advocating for the National System of Innovation to start gearing itself towards Just Transition imperatives. In closing, the discussions acknowledged that energy supply issues need to be completely resolved, tapping into the new imperatives of clean energy and that a well-managed Just Energy Transition can be a strong driver for new jobs, better jobs, social justice, and poverty eradication. This can however be achieved through a systematic and planned strategy for capacity-building, working together with all stakeholders involved. In this regard, it would be important to mobilize the academic scholarly community to be conscious of the challenges we face with the aim of providing solutions towards growing the economy, creating opportunities, unleashing new potential, contributing to transformation, and making a positive impact to the lives of the poor.
Description : 14 pages
Contributor ORCIDs : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Publisher : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
Citation : Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2025). ASSAf Forum on the Just Transition Workshop (6th Session), Mpumalanga (Available online) at DOI
Peer Review Status : Non-Peer Reviewed
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