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The document analyzes South Africa's transition from a coal-dependent economy, highlighting the tension between transformative visions of social justice and narrower, market-based decarbonization efforts. It identifies significant challenges, including high regional economic dependence in Mpumalanga, a massive funding gap for the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP), and institutional failures such as state capture and fragmented governance. The report examines the divergent perspectives of trade unions, national and local governments, state-owned utility Eskom, and civil society, while emphasizing the need for procedural justice and bottom-up engagement to ensure the transition does not entrench existing inequalities.

This document is an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued on 31 March 2015 by the Gert Sibande District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Camden Power Station. The licence, issued under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004, regulates emissions from solid fuel combustion, petroleum storage, and coal handling, establishing specific operational requirements, emission limits, and monitoring obligations for a period not exceeding five years.

The Nomzamo Agri Village initiative implemented a decentralized solar energy model that provided electricity to 91% of households, leading to significant financial savings, improved safety through 60 solar streetlights, and the creation of 78 temporary jobs. This energy foundation enabled further interventions in communal refrigeration for small businesses, waterless and greywater sanitation pilots, and a transition from subsistence to commercial farming, with the first cabbage harvest sold to a supermarket in late 2024. The project, supported by GreenCape's Alternative Service Delivery Unit and international partners, generated over R350,000 in local earnings for enumerators and solar technicians.