South Africa’s just energy transition isn’t just about switching from fossil fuels to renewables.
It’s about reshaping the energy landscape in a way that is inclusive, sustainable, and socially responsible. At the forefront of this transformation are women – as leaders, innovators and changemakers.
This message was at the heart of a compelling presentation by Simmie Reddy, Chief Operating Officer: Energy and Combustion Services (ECS), at a recent webinar hosted by The Southern African Females in Energy Efficiency (SAFEE).
SAFEE is a platform established by the SAEEC (Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation) for operations driven by women in the South African energy industry.
Simmie’s story began in 1995 when she graduated as a Chemical Engineer from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She was one of three bursary recipients placed at a gold processing plant, and the only woman. With no toilets, safety gear, or basic support for female staff, she encountered exclusion early on.
Yet within a year, she earned the respect of her colleagues, taking on the role of Minerals Processing Engineer and proving that competence and leadership transcend gender. Her story is a powerful reminder that breaking barriers begins with courage, but continues with support.
The Role of Women in the Just Energy Transition
Simmie’s presentation highlighted the multifaceted contributions women are making across the energy value chain:
- Driving Sustainable Practices: Women are key advocates for household and community-level change, from adopting clean cooking technologies to leading grassroots energy efficiency efforts. The Wonderbag project that enables off-grid cooking, empowering families and reducing emissions, is one such example.
- Leading Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Women-led companies such as DLO Energy Resources, Gen Zero Solutions, IKIGAI Engineering, and Zero Points Energy are reshaping the clean energy landscape with bold innovation and a focus on green jobs.
- Influencing Policy and Promoting Inclusion: Greater female participation in policy-making correlates with stronger climate action and lower emissions. Women are shaping gender-responsive energy policies and spearheading community-led energy resilience projects.
Education: Closing the Gender and Skills Gap
Simmie stressed the importance of nurturing young talent through education. While high schools raise awareness on climate issues, curricula remain limited in preparing students for careers in alternative energy and data-driven solutions.
She called for more undergraduate and postgraduate programs that blend technical skills with a real-world understanding of energy systems, creating a new generation ready to lead the transition.
JET’s Objectives and Key Focus Areas
South Africa’s Just Energy Transition represents the country’s commitment towards tackling climate change while simultaneously addressing its socio-economic challenges.
The six portfolios of the JET are:
- Decarbonising SA’s Electricity Sector: Accelerating the deployment of renewable energy sources (solar, wind) and modernising the electricity grid.
- Mpumalanga Just Transition: Specifically addressing the transition in the coal-dependent Mpumalanga province.
- New Energy Vehicles (NEVs): Supporting the development of an electric vehicle industry.
- Green Hydrogen: Fostering the production and use of green hydrogen as a clean energy source.
- Skills Development:
- Investing in training and education to equip workers for new jobs in the green economy.
- Coherent skills anticipation, where labour market actors identify and prepare to meet future skills needs, must aim to avoid potential gaps between skills demand and supply, for both the short- and long-term trajectories of economic growth.
6. Municipal Capacity: Strengthening the capacity of municipalities to participate in the energy transition.
Energy Efficiency and the Path to Net Zero
Energy efficiency, often called the “first fuel” of the clean energy transition, is vital to reaching net zero by 2050.
As Simmie noted, improving energy efficiency at any point in the supply chain creates a multiplier effect, lowering demand and generating green jobs.
With 80% of South Africa’s power still coming from fossil fuels, the opportunity to improve efficiency and accelerate renewable deployment has never been more urgent.
A Call to Action: Support, Mentor, Empower
In closing, Simmie made an impassioned plea:
“We are nurturers. We are innovators. We are resilient. Let’s support, coach, and mentor the younger generation into careers that will ignite and catalyse the just energy transition in South Africa.”
From mentorship to technical leadership, she reminded us that every action matters – and that women must be both participants and leaders in shaping an inclusive energy future.
View the webinar on YouTube
Organisations advocating for women
- Higher Education Resource Services South Africa (https://hers-sa.org.za/)
- Women’s Empowerment Network South Africa (https://wenosa.org/)
- International Women’s Forum of South Africa (https://www.iwfsa.co.za/)
- Graca Machel Trust (https://gracamacheltrust.org/)
- Lean-In (https://leanin.org)
- Women’s Hub for Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality (https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/about-un-women)
About ECS
Energy and Combustion Services (ECS) is a SANAS-accredited Measurement & Verification Inspection Body and IPMVP Qualified Company. As an energy performance partner to South Africa’s mining and industrial sectors, we are committed to innovation, sustainability and inclusive leadership.
- Connect with the ECS team or the SAFEE Committee to find out how you can be part of this movement. Contact us to start the conversation.
