By OBAKENG MAJE
9 February 2026- The Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), Dorah Modise has welcomed the appointment and designation of Dipak Patel as its Deputy Chairperson. Modise said the designation of Patel follows the appointment of 24 other eminent South Africans as commissioners for a five-year tenure from 2026–2030 in terms of the Climate Change Act, 2024.
She further said this was announced by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2026. Modise added that Patel joined the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) in 2021 as Head of Climate Finance and Innovation, responsible for the Portfolio of Climate Finance Mapping, financing a just transition and developing a strategy for financing our just transition and climate action interventions.
“Soon after South Africa transitioned from apartheid to democracy in 1994, Patel was appointed as Director-General of the National Department of Transport in 1998 under the government of the late President Nelson Mandela.
“Prior to joining the PCC, Patel was a Special Advisor to the late Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan from 2018 to 2020. Dipak is a Chemical Engineer with an MSc in Development Economics (University of London) and an MBA (University of the Witwatersrand),” she said.
Modise further said they are elated by the choice of Patel. She added that his appointment brings continuity from his previous roles in the commission and adds value to the already diverse and well-suited commissioners.
Patel said: “I am humbled by the responsibility bestowed on me by the President, as we collectively undertake this task of navigating a complex transformation.
“Our strength, relevance and value remain in our commitment to maintain integrity in our advice and recommendations to government and society, and the commitment to engaging the diverse sectors of our society in shaping climate and development policy.”
The Guardian 