Premier's 15th Energy Digicon: Youth must be part of climate change solutions

Media Release: Young South African outlines at Premier’s 15th Energy Digicon how youth must be a part of climate change solutions and green energy drive

This week’s edition of Premier Winde’s Energy Digicon looked at what a green future would look like for South Africa, specifically for future generations. The Premier’s special guest was teenage climate activist Otsile Nkadimeng.

Inspired by renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg, Otsile embarked on his own journey into activism in 2019. Last year Otsile co-founded the Sundial Movement. It comprises a network of high schoolers, giving learners a platform from which they can talk about climate change, come up with constructive ways to act and helps young people educate each other on climate change. Above and beyond this, is also involved in the Fridays for Future South Africa’s chapter which seeks to bring action to the lack of action on the climate crisis.

“Climate change is one of the biggest threats we face as a species. The reason why young people like me get involved in this cause is that climate change will impact our generation more than any other generation. It has far-reaching impacts that stretch further than just nature. It impacts race, gender, disabilities, geographical locations, income levels, and other socio-economic issues,” explained Otsile.

Speaking of the Just Energy Transition programme, he explained that this initiative is not just about transitioning away from fossil fuels. Part of what is crucial to this is the systematic restructuring that happens within our society. It also gives all stakeholders the opportunity to deal with inequalities in society. Otsile pointed out: “The climate crisis is an intersectional crisis; it clashes with different socio-economic conditions. The Just Energy Transition gives us an opportunity to put people who work in the coal mining industry who may lose their jobs back into work. We can create 300 000 jobs alone in the renewable sector if we started the transition away from fossil fuels. My generation has this as an immediate point of urgency.”

He added young people want to live in a country with electricity and a flourishing economy. “Electricity is at the forefront of ensuring that you have a modern country that is able to facilitate modern work opportunities," he stressed.

Guiding his passion for fighting the climate crisis is a document called the South African Youth Climate Action Plan. Otsile described this document as “for young people by young people” which is based on 5 pillars:

• Intersectionality;
• Advocacy and activism;
• Good governance;
• Systemic transformation; and
• Environmental sustainability.

The recent flooding caused by heavy rain in some parts of the Western Cape, with the Capes Winelands and West Coast being the worst affected, serves as a reminder that climate change is a factor behind such extreme weather events.

During the digicon, Premier Winde also reflected on his recent visit to the United States of America. He led a delegation of the Western Cape Government (WCG) to Washington DC and New York City. The purpose of the trip was two-fold:

• To meet with US lawmakers and government officials to discuss South Africa’s eligibility to remain part of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); and
• To engage with existing trade partners and potential investors.

He remarked, “We must make sure that Western Cape businesses and workers continue to benefit from AGOA. We are working hard to ensure this.”

The Premier concluded the digicon by emphasising the integral part renewable energy sources will play in the Western Cape Energy Resilient Programme, “Renewables must be a core part of our energy mix. We are also looking at future planning, to be better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead of us in meeting the needs of a growing population. Climate change must be embedded in all of our future planning.”

To watch a recording of this week’s digicon, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/WsTYT4LJ1Ig?feature=share