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The politics of weaning Africa off coal

Going strong: Operations at Morupule Coal Mine where the Motheo expansion is being finalised. Capital for new coal projects is rapidly drying up globally 
PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Going strong: Operations at Morupule Coal Mine where the Motheo expansion is being finalised. Capital for new coal projects is rapidly drying up globally PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

South African energy minister, Gwede Mantashe, this week stuck to his guns insisting that Africa should not be hurried into moving from coal to cleaner energy, given its unique developmental challenges. The debate over the pace of change, how it is funded and who stands to lose and gain, rages on. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI reports

“Someone came to me and said renewable energy will create 330,000 jobs in South Africa and I said give me the formula looking at the 90,000 jobs we have in coal.

“I have not found that formula.

Editor's Comment
A promising step for public schools, but...

For too long, the state of many public schools has been a source of shame. We have all seen the pictures and heard the stories of broken windows, unreliable water and electricity, topped by classrooms that are not fit for proper learning. The establishment of the Education Infrastructure and Management Company Ltd (EIMC) signals that authorities are finally ready to take this problem seriously. We must commend the government for this initiative....

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