Speaking notes for the Premier of the Free State, Mxolisi Dukwana, on the occasion of the media briefing outlining state of readiness for the Free State Energy Security Indaba, at OR Tambo House, Bloemfontein, on 25 October 2023.
Ladies and gentlemen…
Allow me to take this opportunity to welcome Free State Members of the Executive Council (EXCO),
Executive Mayors and Mayors,
The Director – General of the Free State Provincial Government, Kopung Ralikontsane and all Heads of Department,
Senior Government officials, and
Members of the Media.
We are gathered here with one goal in mind: To find the pathway to sustainable energy for our province, soon after the Census 2022 Report.
StasSA in that Census2022 Report, tells us that, “a census generates diverse data on demographic and socio-economic information and plays an essential role in planning, policy formulation, evaluation and budget allocation.”
It is common cause that constant load-shedding, has had had a dire impact on our already struggling economy, resulting in some of our people losing their jobs and other sources of their livelihoods. The poorest and unemployed amongst in particular, have had bear the brunt of this energy crunch in very many ways.
It is against this background that the Provincial Government will convene an Energy Security Indaba under the theme: “Powering the Future” on 02 November 2023.
Apart from serving as a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing and advice, the Energy Security Indaba will most importantly also be utilised as an energy investment attraction, exploration, collaboration and collaborative between government, the private sector and other critical stakeholders such higher education institutions, to safeguard energy security and economy of our province.
The Indaba will centred around two themes, namely.
Energy Mix Opportunities, Technologies and Investments, as well as Energy Regulations, Infrastructure and Efficiencies.
Each of these themes will have various sub-themes/topics that will form the basis of panel discussions moderated by experts.
It is expected that more than 500 delegates drawn from various facets of the energy sector including experts, academics, policy-makers and potential investors, will be invited to this one-day Energy Indaba that will include an exhibition. Owing to its centrality and accessibility, the venue of the Indaba will be in Bloemfontein, at Performing Arts Council Of the Free State (PACOFS) at the Fidel Castro Building, near our Free State Provincial Government Headquarters, across the road.
We understand all too well the frustration that our people have had to live with and the lack of electricity has indeed tested our resolve and resilience. We nonetheless make bold to say that, we are a resilient people and that, we are here to serve the 2.9 million Free Staters, who live in 845 250 housholds.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me refresh your memories and take you back to what I declared when presenting the budget fo Office of the Premier earlier this year in relation to this indaba. I said then that, “Apart from serving as a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing and advice, this Energy Security Indaba will most importantly also be utilised as an energy investment attraction, exploration, collaboration and mutual action means on energy security matters in the Free State.”
There is absolutely no doubt therefore in my mind that what we seek to achieve, which is mainly energy security for our people, can, must and will be achieved. While doing so, we will open up a whole new vista of opportunities, whereby we will traverse the complex and yet not insurmountable task of creating jobs, growing our Gross Domestic Product; thus ensuring that our economy fires on all cylinders and guarantee prosperity and dignity for all our people.
To achieve this feat, we will remain focused as participants in a social contract that includes business, labour and the rest of civil society.
Some of the high level dignitaries that have confirmed attendance include 6 Premiers of provinces which border the Free State, namely:
- Premier of Gauteng Province, Panyaza Lesufi,
- Premier of Northern Cape, Zamani Saul,
- Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane,
- Premier of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Nomusa Dube-Ncube,
- Acting Premier of the North West Province, Nono Maloyi, and
- Premier of Mpumalanga --- the rising sun --- Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane.
It gives me great pleasure therefore, to also confirm that the Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, will also be attending, as well the Special Advisor to the Minister of Electricity, Mr Silas Zimu, who has extensive experience in the energy sector.
All this effort to deliberately and consciously craft a meaningful and purposive inter-provincial network and support, the implementation of energy security initiatives to drive mutually beneficial regional growth and development in the country, will receive support from colleagues in the national sphere of government.
To this end, the following Deputy Ministers have confirmed attendance to the Energy Security Indaba:
- Deputy Minister: Mineral Resources and Energy, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane;
- Deputy Minister: Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Pinky Kekana; and
- Deputy Minister: Small Business Development, Dipuo Peters.
On a more technical note, some of the participants or presenters to assist us in our quest for energy security, include:
- Dr. Ishmael Poolo, (Group CEO Central Energy Fund);
- Ms. Mathapelo Malao, (Head of Energy, Environment and ICT DBSA);
- Dr. Tshepo Mokoka, (CEO Petroleum Energy SA);
- Mr. Dumisani Nkala, (Senior Vice President: Low Carbon Energy Solutions SASOL);
- Ms. Tshwanelo Rakaibe, (Senior Researcher CSIR Energy Research Centre;
- Mr. Jacob Mbele, (Director-General at the National Department of Mineral Resources and Energy);
- Dr. Titus Mathe, (CEO SANEDI);
- Mr. Lester Bouah (Head of Energy One-Stop-Shop Invest South Africa DTIC);
- Cllr. Bheke Stofile, (President SALGA); and,
- Mr. Bheki Nxumalo, (Group Executive: Generation Division Eskom)
Ladies and gentlemen,
As a province, we subscribe to the oft-repeated; yet hardly believed mantra that in the midst of crises, lies opportunity. While the energy crisis has been hard on us socially and economically, it has also presented us with opportunities to explore other untapped energy opportunities.
As the Free State Provincial Government, we have carefully explored and deliberately placed our province at the forefront of new energy generation and transmission initiatives. Our natural endowments such as the sun and minerals in Platinum Metals Group, will be fully exploited, to achieve the ultimate energy security and sustainability. The establishment of solar power panel making factories in Xhariep region for instance, perfectly fit into our vision of not only ensuring the availability of energy, but also, the creation of much needed jobs in that often-forgotten beautiful part of our province.
We have also set in motion processes with entities that include the Central Energy Fund and PetroSA, to explore how the Free State can be used as the country’s energy generation, logistics and beneficiation hub. It is therefore an absolute pleasure for us as a province, to host this Energy Security Indaba, because it affords all of us an opportunity to explore how we can contribute to the country’s energy security, affordability and stimulate economic growth and create desired jobs.
The leadership of the province has set out a plan to respond to our energy challenges. We also have a set of objectives for this Energy Security Indaba which include, but are not limited to:
- Positioning the Free State province as the country’s central energy logistics/ distribution/ beneficiation hub.
- Promoting investment in production and distribution of energy sources, reduce wastage and institute efficiency measures.
- Raising awareness about the vast energy opportunities available in the Free State.
- Developing measures to contribute to the country’s energy security initiatives and
- Developing indigenous energy sources and foster economic growth and job creation through sustainable energy supply.
While exploring these interventions, we must guard against our efforts being undermined by criminals who illegally connect electricity and destroy our valuable infrastructure. I am confident that our law enforcement agencies will spare no effort in thwarting criminality in all its manifestations.
In conclusion, we wish to thank all the sponsors that have made this journey possible, and furthermore encourage those in the energy sector to come join us, in this big, hairy, scary goal of confounding naysers and doomsayers.
The political economy of economic reconstruction and reform will not be an easy, straight path but, we will persist in doing what is feasible and necessary.
We are looking forward to hosting all delegates from far and wide. We are ready to host you all.
Thank you!
Ke ea leboha/Ke ya leboga!
Baie Dankie!
Ndiyabulela!
