Just Us and the Climate - Climate Justice Coalition

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Just Us and the Climate - Climate Justice Coalition

Welcome to Just Us and the Climate – a podcast by South Africa’s Climate Justice Coalition. Join us as we bring climate change back down to earth and show how it’s not only a crisis, but an opportunity to build a better, more just world.

  1. 19 NOV

    #031 Plundering Limpopo's water for coal

    The threat posed by coal and the MMSEZ to Limpopo's water resources. This podcast episode is incendiary, a must-listen – affording a vivid insight into what economic colonialism means, and why it’s urgent that the public exercise their democratic right to participate in fundamental decisions about how Limpopo's scarce water resources will be exploited in the future to support the planned expansion of coal mining, development of a new coal field, and a dirty, foreign-owned industrial zone. In this episode, host Robert Krause of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) a human rights organisation based at the University of Witwatersrand, explores with his guests, Mphatheleni Makaulule from Dzomo La Mupo and Lauren Liebenberg of Living Limpopo, the cultural, spiritual, ecological, and economic significance of water for the vha-Venda people of Limpopo, the potentially devastating impacts of the MMSEZ and coal mining on water resources, on biodiversity, and the profound implications of the ongoing water 'Reserve determination' process in water resource management.

    49 min

  2. 19 AGO

    #030 Unpacking People's Power

    What will a People's Power movement look like in South Africa? In this episode, Francina Nkosi of the Waterberg Women's Advocacy Organisation leads a powerful discussion on the meaning and impact of People's Power. Joined by Thandi Tess Tshaka from the Botshabelo Unemployed Movement, Brighton Phiri of Nu-Climate Vision, Priyanka Naidoo from Green Connection, and Thumeka Magwangqana of the Sinethemba Women's Organisation, the panel explores what a People's Power movement could look like. The conversation is set against the backdrop of the nationwide People's Power marches in March 2024, where communities and workers across South Africa demanded clean, affordable, and reliable electricity in response to the ongoing load shedding crisis. Listen to how ordinary South Africans are uniting for change and pushing for urgent action on the country’s energy and climate crisis.

    24 min

  3. 5 AGO

    #029 The Story of the Coalition (So Far)

    The Climate Justice Coalition (CJC) is a South African coalition of over 60 trade unions, civil society, grassroots, and community-based organisations. It is a powerful movement taking on the climate crisis by advancing a transformative climate justice agenda, which works to overcome the deep inequality, poverty and multiple injustices that South Africa faces. In this episode, CJC General Secretary Alex Lenferna and Deputy Secretary General Mbali Baduza host a live session at the May 2024 Gathering tracing the Coalition's beginnings. They engage an audience of Coalition members on how the Coalition came to be, tracking how the Coalition grew from a moment of solidarity to the force it has become today. From the various campaigns and protests, to the major shifts and changes, this is the story of the CJC.

    39 min

  4. 18 JUN

    #028 Unbundling Eskom | Trevor Shaku

    Why trade unions are worried about electricity market reforms. In this episode, Trevor Shaku, the national spokesperson of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), talks to host Alex Lenferna about the major electricity market reforms underway in South Africa. The discussion revolves around South Africa's electricity future and the government's proposals for reforming the electricity sector, such as unbundling and the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill. Trevor Shaku explains SAFTU's opposition to the privatisation of the electricity sector and the unbundling of Eskom, the state-owned electricity utility. He argues that privatisation will lead to higher electricity prices, making it unaffordable for the majority of South Africans, and will prioritise profit over public interest. SAFTU advocates for a 'public pathway' approach, where Eskom remains the primary producer and provider of electricity, with a focus on transitioning to renewable energy sources through a 'Green New Eskom' initiative. Trevor highlights the risks of the government's plans, including the potential for private companies to demand guarantees and risk mitigation measures, effectively transferring risks to the government. He also criticises the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill as a legal framework for privatisation and liberalisation of the energy markets. The discussion touches on the international context, with Trevor expressing concerns about the influence of institutions like the IMF and World Bank in pushing for privatisation and the role of the Just Energy Transition Partnerships. He emphasises the need for a global movement of trade unions to resist the privatisation of energy provision and advocate for a just transition that prioritises public ownership and workers' interests.

    1 h y 1 min

  5. 22 ABR

    #027 How the Spy Bill is Shrinking Civic Space in South Africa

    Unpacking the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill. The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill, also known as the Spy Bill, aims to put into action certain suggestions from a review panel regarding the State Security Agency. However, it has sparked significant worry among South African civil society groups. In this episode, CJC coordinator Busisiwe Zasekhaya talks with Heidi Swart from Intelwatch about the proposed changes and why they're concerning for both civil society and regular citizens in South Africa.

    40 min

  6. 15 ABR

    #026 Owning the Renewable Means of Production

    Why social ownership of renewable energy is key. In this episode, Janet Cherry (Professor of Development Studies and renowned anti-Apartheid activist) speaks to us about the exciting work she has been doing on the social ownership of renewable energy. The episode host, Alex Lenferna, speaks to Janet about the team she has been leading, and the research they undertook to understand what social ownership of renewable energy means, what the state of it is in South Africa, and how we can advance it. Their research culminated in a report delivered to the Presidential Climate Commission with several recommendations on ensuring that renewable energy is not merely owned by and for the benefit of the elite few, but is instead delivering large scale benefits and ownership to the working-class majority as part of a truly just energy transition.

    57 min
  7. #025 Mpumalanga is not a Sacrifice Zone!

    12 MAR

    #025 Mpumalanga is not a Sacrifice Zone!

    In this episode, Cleo, an organiser with the Climate Justice Coalition (CJC), sheds light on Mpumalanga's plight - a province ravaged by coal mining and pollution. Cleo goes into detail about its impacts on local communities which include respiratory issues among children, dirty and unsafe water, women being exploited for jobs, and government failures to regulate mines or support transition plans. Shaazia, digital and communications specialist at the CJC, speaks about upcoming People's Power marches against the draft Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) calling for safe, affordable and clean energy, an end to load shedding, and greater accountability. Contact Ferron Pedro (+27 82 565 2393) or Cleo Shezi (+27 63 594 1566) to get involved.

    27 min
  8. #024 Building Red-Green Alliances

    7 MAR

    #024 Building Red-Green Alliances

    How trade unions & climate justice activists can transform the world. In this podcast episode, we speak to Ruth Ntlokotse, the president of the South African Federation of Trade Unions and a new coordinator of the Climate Justice Coalition. We speak to her about the important role that trade unions have to play in the climate justice movement. We discuss how her workplace, which manufactures catalytic convertors, was shut down largely due to the transition to electric vehicles, and how the failures to protect workers demonstrates the need for a truly just transition. We discuss a range of other questions like: - What would a truly just transition be, and what is the world we are fighting for? - What is social ownership of renewable energy, and how have trade unions been pushing for it (and failing in their fight for it)? - How can the trade union movement be better organised to ensure they are actively fighting for a more progressive future, and not being reactive and defensive? - Why the climate justice movement must show up for workers, and how our movements are aligned. The episode is hosted by Climate Justice Coalition General Secretary, Alex Lenferna.

    58 min
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Welcome to Just Us and the Climate – a podcast by South Africa’s Climate Justice Coalition. Join us as we bring climate change back down to earth and show how it’s not only a crisis, but an opportunity to build a better, more just world.

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