October 29, 2026 – Communities across South Africa’s mining and energy regions are calling for a more inclusive, transparent and people-centred approach to the country’s Just Energy Transition (JET), as the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) continues a series of community dialogues in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.

The dialogues form part of the next phase of IJR’s Just Energy Transition project and build on a Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue held earlier this year. One of the key messages emerging from that process was the need to move conversations out of conference venues and boardrooms and into communities directly affected by economic transition, environmental change and shifting development priorities.

Welcoming participants to the dialogues, Felicity Harrison, Senior Practitioner at IJR, emphasised the importance of placing community voices at the centre of transition planning.

“Communities are not simply recipients of policies or development programmes. Communities are experts in their own experiences and have valuable knowledge about the challenges they face, the assets they possess, and the solutions that may work in their specific contexts,” she said.

She noted that for the transition process to be fair, inclusive and sustainable, it must be shaped by the priorities and aspirations of those most affected by change.

The dialogues have brought together community members, unions, workers, youth representatives, women’s groups, civil society organisations and local stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Through the JET project, IJR seeks to create inclusive spaces where community concerns can be heard, strengthen connections between stakeholders and support a transition that is participatory, equitable and environmentally responsible.

In Lephalale, Limpopo, participants highlighted the need for continued engagement with communities experiencing the realities of unemployment, economic uncertainty, environmental pressures and service delivery challenges. Residents stressed that policies affecting their futures should be informed by the lived experiences of those on the ground.

Similar concerns emerged during dialogues in Middelburg and Carolina in Mpumalanga, where participants reflected on persistent social tensions, inequality, exclusion and declining trust between institutions and communities.

Participants argued that successful implementation of the Just Energy Transition will require stronger cooperation between communities, government, civil society and the private sector. They emphasised that meaningful engagement is essential if the transition is to address historical inequalities and create new opportunities for vulnerable communities.

Concerns Over Livelihoods, Inclusion and the Environment

At a dialogue in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, community representatives raised questions about how government plans to support communities as the energy transition unfolds.

Participants expressed concerns about unemployment, pollution, food insecurity and the loss of farmland, while highlighting fears that some residents could be left behind as new technologies and industries emerge.

Community members pointed to significant skills gaps that could limit access to future employment opportunities and called for greater transparency about how jobs are allocated. They also stressed the need for broader access to information about how communities can benefit from the transition, and advocated for stronger intergenerational conversations, particularly around agriculture and food security.

“We can’t leave people behind with new technologies,” one participant remarked during the discussions, reflecting a broader concern that the transition must create opportunities for all members of society, including those without formal qualifications.

Some of the strongest messages emerged from Newcastle, where participants shared deep concerns about the long-term impacts of mining on communities, livelihoods and the environment.

Residents spoke about the destruction of cultural heritage, environmental degradation and a lack of meaningful consultation in decisions affecting their communities. Participants described feeling excluded from important discussions about development and resource extraction, saying they often feel “trapped behind fences” when it comes to decision-making processes.

Many highlighted frustrations with what they see as inadequate consultation by government institutions, while others noted the growing influence of political interests and concerns over the co-option of community members by mining companies.

Participants also called for stronger partnerships between communities, educational institutions and organisations such as IJR and others. They stressed the importance of ensuring that conversations about the Just Energy Transition reach rural communities and young people.

A recurring theme was the need to broaden public understanding of the Just Energy Transition beyond renewable energy technologies. Participants argued that JET requires addressing the interconnected challenges of poverty, inequality, environmental justice, access to resources and economic exclusion.

Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Mining

When discussing the future of mining, participants carefully weighed the economic benefits against the environmental and social costs experienced by local communities.

Many questioned whether mining operations were adequately benefiting local residents, pointing out that higher-paying positions often go to workers recruited from outside affected areas. Others expressed concern about pollution, climate change, damage to local ecosystems and the environmental legacy left behind when mines close.

Residents also raised concerns about water contamination and the impact of mining activities on agriculture. Some participants reported that pollution had affected local water quality and farming activities, creating challenges for food production and household livelihoods.

The discussions further highlighted concerns about accountability and environmental regulation, with participants calling on government to strengthen oversight of mining operations and ensure that communities are not left to deal with long-term environmental consequences on their own.

Across all the dialogues, participants consistently emphasised the need for greater transparency, meaningful participation and collaboration.

Communities called for stronger partnerships, better communication between stakeholders and practical solutions that ensure no one is left behind during the transition process. Participants also stressed the importance of addressing historical injustices, building local skills and creating pathways for communities to benefit from emerging economic opportunities.

For IJR, the community dialogues represent more than a consultation exercise. They are part of a long-term effort to build trust, strengthen relationships and ensure that community voices help shape South Africa’s energy future.

As the conversations continue, one message remains clear: communities want a Just Energy Transition that is not only environmentally sustainable, but also socially equitable, economically inclusive and rooted in the realities of the people most affected by change.