ON ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
                                           FOR CIVIL SOCIETY LEADERS

                                       10-13 APRIL 2006

As well as generating a lot of concern within civil society, the recent electricity crisis experienced by the people of the Western Cape also highlighted a general lack of capacity within Cape Town civil society around energy issues.

Earthlife Africa, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy Africa, decided to engage with this problem through a three day workshop held at Cosatu’s premises in Salt River.


The workshop focused on sustainable energy and on the significant contribution large- scale implementation of sustainable energy could have within South Africa’s energy landscape. It was aimed at civil society leaders, in the hope that these leaders could pass on their broadened understanding to their constituencies. The workshop was also an opportunity for civil society leaders to come together and discuss the energy issues the country is faced with, and to discuss their roles in promoting sustainable energy in South Africa.

A variety of civil society organizations were invited; the following were able to attend: the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), the National Union of Metalworkers South Africa (SAMWU), the Ogoni Solidarity Forum (OSF), the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).

 The workshop was facilitated by Liziwe McDaid of Green connections, who introduced some practical exercises into proceedings, and provided food for thought as she facilitated and focused discussions that arose.

The workshop involved exciting presentations given by various active players in the sustainable energy field. Day One saw Maya Aberman of Earthlife Africa Cape Town give an informative discussion on the present energy picture in South Africa. She was followed by Audrey Dobbins of Sustainable Energy Africa, who’s presentation on energy efficiency highlighted the ways in which we as individuals can save energy in our homes in easy and practical ways. Her presentation was supplemented by a display showcasing various simple energy-saving devices like geyser blankets, energy-efficient lightbulbs and a ‘hot box’, or ‘wonder box’ as it is otherwise known.

Day two involved a presentation by Maurice Pigaht of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), talking about sustainable energy on a larger scale and discussing various renewable technologies that can be used to generate electricity, such as waste-to-energy, solarvoltaic, solarthermal, small hydro and wind technologies.

Day three was a day for consolidation and discussion, and most of the day was devoted to exciting discussions on the ‘way forward’- what to do with the information presented in the workshop, and how to promote change at all levels of society, from changes in mindset at ‘ground level’ right up to the highest levels of government.  

It is hoped that the workshop has paved the way for future communication, collaboration and collective action between civil society organizations around energy issues.