* Almost a third of South Africans are unemployed
Green jobs are growing
Thousands of jobs will be lost due to closure of coal plant
By Kate Bartlett
According to the latest government statistics, almost one in three South Africans is unemployed. Experts say the actual level of unemployment is likely to be higher, around 10%. He says youth unemployment is around 60%.
As part of the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, South Africa has phased out only one coal-fired plant, Komati in Mpumalanga province. The shutdown resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs and very few new opportunities.
The government plans to close three additional coal-fired plants by 2030, and plans to close several more in the future. Eskom and the coal mining sector together employ thousands of workers. Many thousands of people depend on these workers.
In a report published in March, Bohlman, his co-authors and their colleagues found that the percentage of green jobs is projected to increase from 12.4% in 2022 to 14.8% by 2024.
They found that there was a shortage of skilled labor needed for green industries. Green employment was also concentrated in a few industries such as mining, utilities and construction.
The report states that “In South Africa, the green economy has significant potential to create jobs, particularly in renewable energy, but it also faces challenges such as low economic growth, skills shortages and aging energy infrastructure. It is also challenged by political barriers, weak institutions and limited technical capacity.
The researchers noted that the distribution of green jobs was also uneven, with the majority being occupied by men in their 20s and 30s who had moderate levels of education, while women and informal sector workers were often excluded.
But we need more green jobs
Official statistics do not give a clear picture of green jobs. According to the latest data on jobs, mining and agriculture are two of the few sectors that have seen an increase in jobs. However, it did not specify what type of mining or jobs were involved.
David Hallowes is a researcher at the South African environmental non-profit Groundwork. He said while government figures do not show a decline in mining jobs, “I would be surprised if this 'growth' is actually coal related”.
The Minerals Council South Africa, the Ministry of Labor and Energy and the Minerals Council South Africa did not respond to requests for comment.
The government appears to have gone back on its promise of clean energy. Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said at the inauguration of a mine in Mpumalanga province last month that “King Coal is back”.
South Africa's dependence on coal has reduced. Coal generated 90% of energy ten years ago, but now only 83%. There are no plans at this time to stop the planned mine closure.
Hallows said that as coal plants close, “the major job creation should come from mine closures, rehabilitation and resettlement catchment areas.” Many of these 'jobs' would be suitable for miners.
Construction of renewable energy plants will also provide employment.
“So, even if a construction project may only last 18 months, new projects must go on.” “Whether that is the case or not is a completely different issue,” he said.
It is still too much to expect that green jobs will reduce the unemployment rate.
Heloz replied, “I don't know how realistic that is.” (Reporting and editing by John Hemming; Kate Bartlett)
(Source: Reuters)