How Are South African Politicians Planning to Take Climate Action?

05/24/24 • 36 min

In today’s episode, we are exploring the importance of voting as one way to take a stand for justice and change. With South African elections around the corner, many are wondering who to vote for. So, in this episode, we are asking the question: How Are South African Politicians Planning to Take Climate Action?

It is essential that we cast our votes with knowledge of who it is we are voting for and what it is they stand for. To help you work through the pre-election confusion, this bonus episode unpacks the manifestos of a few prominent political parties in South Africa – with a focus on climate change, energy justice, and plans for a just South Africa.

We will be drawing on the recording of a recent political manifesto debate, facilitated by Asanda Ngoasheng, held in Cape Town on 8 May 2024, where three prominent political parties – the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, and Rise Mzansi – unpacked their political manifestos on points of climate and socio-environmental issues. We also draw on manifesto research conducted by Project 90 by 2030, which summarised the manifesto stances on these same issues.

The episode aims to provide some form of political literacy and to encourage political participation for an inclusive society, especially among the youth.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with The Green Connection and Project 90 by 2030.

The episode aims to provide some form of political literacy and to encourage political participation for an inclusive society, especially among the youth.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with The Green Connection and Project 90 by 2030.

Previous Episode

How Does The Climate Crisis Affect Our Mental Health?

Mental wellness, mental health, and mental wellbeing are seldom conversations that are brought up when we are talking about climate change and climate justice. In this conversation, we unpack the connections between mental health, the environment, and climate justice.

Panelists:

Vuyokazi Ngemntu (South Africa): Vuyokazi Ngemntu is a writer- performer situated in Cape Town, South Africa, whose praxis uses poetry, song, physical theatre, storytelling and ritual to navigate ancestral trauma, confront inequality and inspire healing. She is an alumna of the Bodhi Khaya Artist Residency 2022, where she conceptualised and presented a seminal performance work titled ‘Ukuvuka kuka Nomhlaba: Exploring The Significance of Land In Healing’.

She is a member of the Daai Deng Hub which was awarded a grant by AfricaNoFilter to use Spoken Word, Documentary Filmmaking and Music to interpret the concerns of ordinary Africans in relation to climate change, presented at #COP27. Her short story, 'The Serpent’s Handmaiden' was shortlisted for the Share Africa Climate Change Award 2022. Her work has appeared in The Kalahari Review, Herri, Ibua Journal, Short.Sharp.Stories, New Contrast, Ake Review, Pepper Coast Lit, The Culture Review, Aerodrome and elsewhere.

Stinicah Kemunto (Kenya): Stinicah Kemunto is a mental health and psychiatric nurse practitioner, based in Kenya. Kemunto is also the founder of Threshold of Hope Africa which is a community based organization that creates mental health awareness as a prerequisite to stigma eradication through advocacy.

Learn more about African Climate Alliance:

Next Episode

On The Frontlines with Promise Mabilo

In the first episode of our Cancel Coal season, we go to the frontlines to speak to Promise Mabilo, from Vukani Environmental Movement, who shares about the impacts of coal on health, wellbeing, and everyday life.

Promise is an activist based in Emalahleni in Mpumalanga where most people living in the area are victims of breathing toxic air and in the heart of coal fired power stations and coal mining production. Promise is also a Coordinator at Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action or VEM. Together with African Climate Alliance and Groundwork, VEM is one of the applicants taking the South African government to court in the landmark Cancel Coal court case that is calling for an end to new coal in South Africa.

About Season 2:

In this second season of the podcast, we are talking all things Cancel Coal. Over the course of five episodes, we will dive into the multifaceted impacts of coal mining and the way forward for our energy future. From frontline advocates in coal-affected communities, and legal experts discussing the environmental crisis, to the transformative power of spiritual leaders, each episode delves into diverse experiences and perspectives, encouraging us to engage with the urgent need to Cancel Coal for a just and sustainable future.

Learn more about the Cancel Coal Court Case:

Learn more about African Climate Alliance: