TIPS Podcast

In this episode of the Tips Podcast series, host Thobani K speaks with Bhekani Hadebe, Acting Senior Manager: HV Substations at eThekwini Municipality, about the practical challenges and opportunities involved in preparing municipal electricity infrastructure for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition.
Hadebe discusses the importance of maintaining and modernising electricity grids so they can accommodate renewable energy, battery storage and the two-way flow of electricity between consumers and municipal networks. He highlights practical initiatives including installing solar PV at substations, exploring opportunities to repurpose existing infrastructure for renewable energy and battery storage, and building awareness among municipal staff and communities about emerging opportunities in the energy transition. 
The conversation also explores significant challenges, including maintenance backlogs, limited municipal funding, potential revenue pressures as customers increasingly generate their own electricity, and the employment impacts associated with moving away from coal-based energy. At the same time, Hadebe identifies opportunities for municipalities to procure electricity from independent power producers, diversify their energy supply and develop new approaches to tariffs and energy trading.
The episode further examines the potential of microgrids, energy wheeling, electric vehicle infrastructure, green hydrogen and smart-grid technologies. Hadebe argues that modernising municipal electricity networks can expand energy access, create new skills and business opportunities, and build more resilient and flexible energy systems as South Africa transitions towards a lower-carbon future.

In this episode of the TIPS podcast series, host Thobani K is joined by Akhona Myataza, Dr Michael Hector, and Gillian Chigumira, economists at TIPS, to discuss new research examining the impacts of climate change on employment, livelihoods, and economic resilience in South Africa. Drawing on three complementary studies, the conversation explores how climate change affects workers, small-scale farmers, and vulnerable communities, while highlighting practical policy interventions that can support a Just Transition. 
The discussion examines the growing frequency of extreme weather events, the importance of improving climate data accessibility and early warning systems, and the structural challenges that prevent accurate forecasts from translating into effective action. The guests also explore how climate change threatens agricultural livelihoods, particularly for farm workers and small-scale farmers who face limited access to finance, technology, and social protection. They argue that strengthening active labour market policies, expanding skills development, investing in climate-smart agriculture, and improving municipal infrastructure will be essential for building resilience. Throughout the episode, the researchers emphasise the importance of collaboration between government, industry, researchers, and communities to ensure that climate adaptation measures are practical, equitable, and capable of protecting livelihoods while supporting sustainable economic development. 
This research builds on research conducted in 2019/20. This includes the National Employment Vulnerability Assessment; Sector Jobs Resilience Plans (SJRPs) for five value chains particularly likely to be affected by the Just Transition; and the SJRP Toolbox: Summary for Policy Makers. This updated research was funded by UK-PACT. The Sector Jobs Resilience Plans are available on the TIPS website.
Podcast Credits
Executive Producer & Editorial Reviewer: Nokwanda Maseko 
Host, Creative Director, Audio Recording, Graphic Design & Social Media Distribution: Thobani K 
Guests: Akhona Myataza, Gillian Chigumira and Dr Michael Hector 
Question Development: Akhona Myataza, Gillian Chigumira, Dr Michael Hector and Thobani K 
Audio Editing & Engineering: Richard Rumney

In this episode of the TIPS Podcast series, host Thobani K speaks with Dr Bonginkosi Robert Dlamini, Chief Director for Environmental Management in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), about the opportunities and challenges of implementing a Just Transition in one of South Africa’s most diverse provinces. 
Dr Dlamini outlines the wide-ranging responsibilities of his department, which include climate change planning, biodiversity conservation, coastal management, waste management, air quality monitoring, environmental impact assessments, compliance enforcement, and community environmental awareness programmes. He explains how KwaZulu-Natal works with municipalities to integrate environmental priorities into Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and climate response strategies while supporting local adaptation and resilience initiatives. 
Reflecting on a recent Just Transition and Green Economy training programme, Dlamini emphasises the importance of ensuring that the transition is truly “just” by including rural communities, vulnerable groups, and historically disadvantaged populations in planning and decision-making processes. He highlights the need for meaningful public participation and equitable access to the benefits of new green economy opportunities. 
The discussion also explores one of the most complex challenges facing the Just Transition: how to support communities that currently depend on coal mining and other carbon-intensive industries. Dlamini argues that while the transition offers important environmental and economic benefits, policymakers must carefully consider how local communities can continue to benefit when industries change or relocate. He concludes by stressing the importance of long-term planning, stakeholder engagement, and continuous learning to ensure that no community is left behind as South Africa moves towards a more sustainable future.

In this episode of the TIPS Podcast series, host Thobani K speaks with Sindi Shozi, Chief Engineer for Advanced Metering Infrastructure at the eThekwini Municipality, about the practical role that technology, infrastructure planning, and energy management can play in advancing a Just Energy Transition. 
Shozi explains how her work focuses on strategic planning, smart metering systems, energy data management, infrastructure performance, and stakeholder engagement. Drawing on her experience in both municipal government and Eskom, she reflects on how a Just Transition can be integrated into day-to-day decision-making through equitable access to technology, energy efficiency programmes, and sustainable infrastructure development. She highlights the importance of ensuring that low-income and historically underserved communities are not left behind as municipalities modernise their energy systems. 
The conversation also explores the importance of skills development and inclusion within the energy sector. Shozi discusses her involvement in mentoring programmes and professional networks that support women and young professionals, arguing that the transition must be socially inclusive as well as environmentally sustainable. 
The episode further examines key challenges facing municipalities, including energy security concerns, infrastructure constraints, revenue pressures arising from increased adoption of renewable energy technologies, and shortages of specialised skills in emerging fields such as battery storage, smart grids, and green hydrogen. At the same time, Shozi identifies significant opportunities linked to smart metering, renewable energy integration, climate finance, independent power procurement, and the growing role of municipalities in shaping South Africa’s energy future.

In this episode of the TIPS Podcast series, host Nothembi Mahlangu speaks with Omogolo Tlape, Deputy Director for Macroeconomic Analysis at the North West Provincial Treasury, about the role of economic planning and evidence-based policymaking in supporting a Just Transition and green economy. 
Tlape explains how his work focuses on analysing socioeconomic and macroeconomic trends, assessing municipal development plans, and supporting budget allocation decisions across the province. Reflecting on a recent Just Transition and Green Economy training programme, he describes the experience as an eye-opener that broadened his understanding of the links between economic development, environmental sustainability, and social wellbeing. He highlights the importance of recognising that the impacts of climate change are often felt most acutely by vulnerable communities, despite their limited contribution to global emissions. 
The conversation explores how the North West Province can position itself to benefit from emerging green economy opportunities through strategic planning, research, and investment attraction. Tlape emphasises the need for stronger collaboration between government, universities, and the private sector to generate the knowledge and innovation required for a successful transition. 
The discussion also examines key challenges, including skills shortages, the need to modernise higher education curricula, unemployment risks associated with economic restructuring, and competition for land and resources. Throughout the episode, Tlape argues that implementation, measurement, and continuous learning will be critical to ensuring that the transition delivers both environmental and socioeconomic benefits for communities across the province.