BY Chris Gilili this post first appeared at Elitsha
IN SUMMARY: Protest Against Africa Oil Week: Activists from Extinction Rebellion and the Green Connection protested outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) during Africa Oil Week. Inside, Minister Gwede Mantashe gave the keynote address.
Call for Renewable Energy: Lisa Makaula from the Green Connection urged African leaders to invest in renewable energy projects instead of fossil fuels. She emphasized that climate change disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable communities. “We hope the event will prioritise the move away from fossil fuels.”
Contradictory Policies in South Africa: Makaula criticized South Africa for conflicting actions, with President Ramaphosa signing the Climate Act while other laws still support fossil fuels. She called for a clear national plan for reducing emissions by 2050. “It’s a bit challenging to understand where we are going as a country.”
Extinction Rebellion’s Creative Protest: Extinction Rebellion used a vampire theme to symbolize how oil and gas companies exploit Africa’s resources. A spokesperson, Jacqui Tooke, said that these companies “suck Africa dry” for profits. “Oil and gas executives…are flying here from all over the world to suck Africa dry.”
Challenging the Fossil Fuel Narrative: Tooke argued that renewable energy is a reliable way to grow economies and that the fossil fuel industry is resisting the just transition. “We need to move away from fossil fuels so that we have a future.”
South Africa’s Confused Energy Policies: Tooke also pointed out that different government departments are sending mixed signals about transitioning to renewable energy. Clear regulation is needed to move forward. “We demand clarity, so that we can move forward.”
Green Connection’s Legal Case: The Green Connection is currently challenging the environmental approval given to TotalEnergies for oil exploration off the coast of Cape Town in the Western Cape High Court.
Public Awareness of Just Transition: According to the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), only 9% of South Africans understand the term “just transition.” However, 51% see transitioning from coal to renewables as a potential solution for ending load-shedding.
Mantashe’s Stance: During the conference, Minister Mantashe stressed the importance of energy security and said South Africa is committed to a mix of energy sources, including coal and renewables. “We have not converted fully to this thing of saying we will move from coal to renewables.”
