SA Youth Economic Council laments ‘old leadership ’ amid exclusion of youth in climate talks

This after plans to move towards a more sustainable, low carbon and equitable energy system were reaffirmed at COP26 in Glasgow last year, with leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union vowing to support SA to accelerate the decarbonisation of the country’s economy. 

The country is among parties that set ambitious goals to help contribute towards keeping the global temperature at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to prevent the severe impact of climate change on human health and unpredictable weather conditions. 

But the plans could see a shift in how SA does business. 

SAYEC is expected to host its inaugural gala dinner together with Wits University and the Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe where academics, business and industry will discuss the implications of the transition in Sandton on Thursday. 

SAYEC chairperson Bonga Makhanya says the dinner will focus on youth participation in climate talks.

“When government announced plans of move away from coal-based power supply to renewables in the COP26 deal, that would affect the mining industry quite a bit which contributes 8% to our economy and employs quite a lot of people and young people.

“A lot has been said about whether or not we should go green or stay with coal but there’s no talking of where are young people in this conversation.  If we move to green energy and we create 100 000 jobs - how many of those jobs will go to young people and what will they look like.

“Where will young people fit in this ‘Just Transition’ because energy is a very important factor in any economic discourse,” Makhanya adds. 

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Mantashe, National Youth Development Agency CEO Waseem Carrim and businessman Sandile Zungu are among the day’s panellists.  

“What we’ve found is that young people are speaking among themselves, and speaking in silos and not speaking to the relevant people, so we hope some of the inputs we are going to make and some of the suggestions are going to land on progressive ears.” 

Makhanya adds some of the NGO’s recommendations will include changing workforce quotas to incorporate under 35s at management level. 

Political parties will also be part of the talks where SAYEC is also expected to call for young people to be included in strategic decision-making structures. 

“I think in this country one of the biggest challenges is that we haven’t leadership crisis at the top which then trickles down to the ground because people at the top are not focus on ideas, they’re focused on the factional battles and the immaterial things - so much so that the politics get in the way of the real work that needs to be done. 

“We’ve been recycling some of these same people who since 1994 have been doing more or less the same thing and not improving anyone’s standing. We need a fresh crop of leadership that will come with new ideas. 

“So if we can get past all the slogans and the petty fighting that happens at a National level, there’s so much more we can achieve because most things policymakers can actually agree on,” says Makhanya. 

Listen to Makhanya below: