When short-term jobs aren't enough: Lessons from Komati's Just Transition

Komati, Mpumalanga - The silence left by the shutdown of the local power station in 2022 is more than just a drop in electricity output. It is the quiet of a community struggling to rebuild after losing its economic heartbeat.

- JUANITA PARDESI AND DR SIPHESIHLE QANGE

Since the shutdown, approximately R7 billion has been channelled into Komati through the Eskom Just Energy Transition Project, backed by the World Bank, Canadian concessional finance, and ESMAP. Yet, despite this significant investment, the town's 4600 residents have seen almost no tangible benefits in terms of sustainable employment or local economic revival.

Good Intentions, Slow Delivery

Over the past two years, dozens of consultants, researchers, and development partners have engaged with stakeholders, including Eskom, municipalities, civic groups, unions, and national agencies. Multiple committees and coordination bodies have been established, including Presidential Climate Commission task teams, district forums, and JET-specific working groups.

While many of these structures were established with good intentions and have made valuable contributions, some have, over time, contributed to slower decision-making and delayed implementation. This is often due to limited coordination rather than a lack of effort. In several cases, well-meaning interventions, whether in agriculture, training, or psychosocial support, have operated independently, highlighting an opportunity to improve alignment around key areas such as land access, water provision, and community outreach.

“Komati deserves not only investment, but true integration. The time has come for aligned, community-led action that addresses the root causes of unemployment, disconnection, and disillusionment, beyond surface-level interventions.”

The Social Employment Fund: A Different Kind of Work

Since March, Seriti Institute has been implementing the Social Employment Fund (SEF) in Komati, a programme under the Presidential Employment Stimulus that enables work for the common good.