Elections and electricity: Power in South Africa


South Africa webinar

10 April 2024

12.00 BST (GMT +1), Online, Zoom

African Energy southern Africa editor Tonderayi Mukeredzi and guests examined the South African election landscape and the key issues that may impact the outcome and the broader economy.

Background

South Africa's 2024 elections promise to be the most important and intriguing of the post-apartheid era.

Pollsters have predicted that the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which has dominated the vote since the advent of free elections in 1994, may get less than 50% of the national vote, opening up the prospect of a coalition government with small parties.

The elections are happening at a time South Africa is facing numerous challenges such as rising poverty and unemployment, increased citizen disgruntlement, an energy crisis due to consistent generation failure at state-owned power utility Eskom and transport bottlenecks at rail and port company Transnet SOC.

The outcome of the elections could significantly change the country’s political landscape.

Guest panellists included:

  • Jo-Ansie van Wyk, political science professor, University of South Africa
  • Richard Doyle, managing director Juwi Renewable Energies South Africa 
  • Mzila Mthenjane, chief executive officer, Minerals Council South Africa

This event was free for all African Energy newsletter subscribers, Live Data subscribers, AIX members and invited guests.

Panellists and participants discussed:  

  • Election preparedness
  • Impact of economic challenges on elections
  • Potential election outcomes
  • The future of the electricity supply market
  • Eskom’s grid expansion plans and the role of the private sector in enhancing grid capacity
  • Finance and funding models for private sector procurement
  • Assumptions and relevance of  the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2023
  • Declining mining production and challenges in the sector

 

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Contact Lauren Slater with any questions about the event.

 

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