Workforce transition in South Africa’s just energy transition: an analysis of needs, policy gaps and socioeconomic implications
Tamasiga, PhemeloExterne Publikationen (2025)
in: Megatrends Africa Policy Brief 39
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18449/2025MTA-PB39
Open access
Can South Africa’s Just Energy Transition (JET) deliver environmental sustainability and socioeconomic justice, or will it falter under systemic flaws? This policy brief examines the JET’s objectives of aligning climate goals with socioeconomic stability, while addressing critical hurdles such as employment instability, the trade-off between job quality and quantity, skills mismatches, regional disparities, and inadequate social protection. Key findings reveal that renewable energy jobs, though growing in number, often lack the benefits of coal sector employment—such as job security, collective bargaining power, pension contributions, and long-term contracts. Skills development gaps further entrench inequalities, particularly in coal-dependent regions like Mpumalanga. The policy brief proposes several recommendations: a job guarantee scheme; reformed social insurance for broader coverage; scaled reskilling programmes to bridge workforce gaps; and community-led governance to ensure local empowerment.