204 days of no loadshedding, the expected end of any risk of load shedding by March 2025 and 2024seeing Eskom finally breaking even or becoming profitable. These were the bold statements made byChairperson of Eskom, Dr Mteto Nyati, who delivered the keynote address at the Serious SocialInvesting Conference in Johannesburg today.
The annual SSI Conference, hosted by Tshikululu Social Investments and their partners, has becomea leading corporate social impact event on the continent, where key role players within the sector cannetwork, share knowledge, and gain insights from leading social investment experts. Nyati said thatEskom’s performance has improved significantly since April this year, achieving 63.1% EnergyAvailability Factor (EAF) by July, up from 58.1% in April.
He says this was achieved by leveraging original equipment manufacturers, people and processes,an improvement which has led to a reduction of diesel spend of over R 12 bn. Once Eskom achievesan EAF of 70%, there will be no more loadshedding, an achievement he expects will be reached byMarch next year.
Now that Eskom is so close to achieving energy security, Nyati says that the next big focus for thepower utility is the affordability of electricity.
Other topics unpacked today included rethinking the role of corporates in shaping society, who trulybenefits from the just energy transition and creating sustainable pathways into the economy. Notablespeakers at this year’s conference included Dr Pali Lehohla, Former South African StatisticianGeneral; esteemed businesswoman, author and Executive Chairperson of the Mbekani Group, DrJudy Dlamini and Alistair Mokoena, CEO of Google South Africa.
This year, the event was sponsored by Nedbank, Vodacom and the Gordon Institute of BusinessScience (GIBS).
We can arrange an interview to explore how social investments can maximize the socio-economic benefits of renewable energy, creating a sustainable and equitable future for South Africa.
2024 Serious Social Investing Conference inspires action toward scaling impact
Johannesburg, 20 October 2024 – The Serious Social Investing (SSI) Conference 2024, hosted byTshikululu Social Investments, concluded this week at the Gordon Institute of Business Science(GIBS) in Johannesburg, marking another milestone in redefining corporate social responsibility inSouth Africa.
Under the theme of scaling impact, the conference brought together leading social investmentexperts, corporate leaders, and development partners to tackle pressing topics such as the evolvingrole of corporates in shaping society, pathways into the economy, and ensuring equity in the justenergy transition.
Keynote speakers included Grant Kelly, Executive Head: Strategy & CSI at Nedbank, whoemphasised the critical need for businesses to balance profitability with societal well-being. MalutaNetshaulu, Nedbank’s Green Economy Lead, provided actionable strategies to ensure thatcommunities directly benefit from sustainable energy initiatives, reinforcing the bank’s commitment toa green economy as a catalyst for inclusive growth.
Takalani Netshitenzhe, Director of External Affairs at Vodacom South Africa, highlighted the VodacomFoundation’s impactful work in education, gender empowerment, and disaster relief. She underscoredthe role of technology in addressing socio-economic challenges, demonstrating how partnerships withgovernment and civic bodies can transform society.
Panels included luminaries such as Dr. Mteto Nyati, Chairperson of Eskom; Dr. Pali Lehohla, formerSouth African Statistician General; Dr. Judy Dlamini, Executive Chairperson of the Mbekani Group;and Alistair Mokoena, CEO of Google South Africa. Topics ranged from driving sustainable socialimpact to addressing equity in the just energy transition and creating meaningful pathways into theeconomy.
The event, sponsored by Nedbank, Vodacom, and GIBS, demonstrated the power of collaboration indriving social and economic transformation. GIBS’ Entrepreneurship Development Academy played akey role in showcasing how programmes like their Social Entrepreneurship Programme empowerchangemakers to create measurable impact in their communities.
Tracey Henry, CEO of Tshikululu Social Investments, reflected on the conference’s success: “AtTshikululu, we are committed to helping clients design sustainable interventions to address thecomplex socio-economic challenges South Africa faces. The 2024 SSI Conference has been aplatform to inspire action and drive collaboration among key players in the sector.”
Please contact me for an interview or for more information.