By BAKANG MOKOTO

29 August 2025- The Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, who delivered a keynote address at the official launch of the JET Skills Desk and National JET Skills Advisory Forum, said these are two pillars of South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Skills Portfolio. Mashatile said they cannot talk of a Just Energy Transition without talking about women and other vulnerable groups and the impact that a Business-as-Usual approach to climate change has on their lives and livelihoods.

He further said as such, the launch of these structures is critical to their broader developmental objectives and commitment to building a prosperous and equal society. Mashatile added that they will leave no one behind.

“These structures are part of a vital transition towards a low-carbon, inclusive, and equitable energy future. They will provide the leadership and coordination necessary to advance a cohesive and demand-driven skills development agenda.

“They will also tackle the green skills gap hindering the equitable energy transition and affecting our economic development and competitiveness,” he said.

 Mashatile said the skills mismatch gap prevents organisations from locating suitable individuals, resulting in sluggish production, delayed innovation, and diminished competitiveness. He said this launch is going into effect because they collectively recognise the need for a holistic strategy that includes education reform and an increase in skilled labour, to guarantee that all South Africans, particularly those living in coal-dependent and disadvantaged areas, can participate in the green economy.

“We want the communities in these areas to understand and be aware of the skills needed for employment as a result of the green transition, as well as the sectors in which they will be created, the skill level required, and who is most suited to offer them.

“This highlights the importance of transforming the skills base to facilitate a just and inclusive transition to green energy by establishing strong industry collaborations for practical training and rapidly improving university and TVET curricula,” said Mashatile.

He said in the context of South Africa, a country grappling with the challenge of transitioning to a sustainable energy future, the importance of skills development cannot be overstated. Mashatile said the concept of Just Energy Transition emphasises the need to move towards cleaner energy sources, while ensuring a fair and equitable transition for all stakeholders, particularly those from communities reliant on traditional energy sources.

“South Africa’s transition to renewable energy requires individuals and organisations to acquire new skills in renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency practices, and sustainability principles and a profound understanding of the social and economic implications of the transition.

“Our government is focusing on a green energy transition to improve energy security and combat climate change by creating new economic opportunities, reducing poverty, and improving public health outcomes,” said Mashatile.

He said through the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), he said they aim to build new, sustainable energy sources, develop sectors like green hydrogen and electric vehicles and enhance energy security through a massive rollout of clean energy infrastructure. Mashatile said in all these areas, the government recognizes the need to proactively build skills to ensure the transition is just and creates employment opportunities, making skill development a core element of JET-IP rather than an afterthought.

“Suffice to say, at the heart of South Africa’s energy transition is South Africa and her people. It is about restoring dignity through decent work and creating opportunities, ensuring that no one is left behind.

“Whether we are talking about upgrading grid infrastructure or expanding green manufacturing, nothing moves without the people,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com