Communities still being undermined

A new report provides 'both a call to action and a blueprint for change' for socially owned renewables in South Africa's energy transition

- Sheree Bega

The mining region of Sekhukhune in Limpopo is a “land of contradictions” — rich in chrome, platinum and other valuable minerals but most people there remain trapped in poverty.

This is the argument of Ferron Pedro, a senior campaigner at civil society organisation 350Africa.org, who said mining companies have extracted vast wealth from the mineral-rich region but “have not given enough back”.

“The mining houses in that area are investing in renewable energy to ensure the security of their own operations and the security of their electricity supply.

“But what about the communities that have borne the brunt of mining for decades?” she asked.

Pedro was speaking at a webinar where the Sekhukhune Combined Mining-Affected Communities — a grassroots movement representing communities in Burgersfort — together with 350Africa.org, consultancy firm Ahinasa and the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, launched a case study.

According to the civil society organisations, the report is “both a call to action and a blueprint for change”, challenging extractive energy models and “foregrounding the role of social ownership in ensuring a just, inclusive and equitable future”.

It proposes that, as part of the country’s energy transition, mining-affected communities, like those in Sekhukhune, set up solar farms through cooperatives to generate electricity for their own use.

Any surplus energy could be sold to the mines or the national grid, with the profits ploughed directly into community-led initiatives such as schools, healthcare facilities and small businesses.

“Too often, decisions are made about our future without our input,” said Katlego Malesa, the spokesperson for the Sekhukhune Combined Mining-Affected Communities.

“This report is proof that we have the knowledge, the vision and the will to lead our own transition. What we need now is investment, policy support and real accountability.”