Creator
Thabo Molelekwa
Thabo Molelekwa is an award-winning health journalist.
Transforming South Africa’s power grid, virtually
As South Africans invest billions in rooftop solar and batteries, Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) offer a way to connect these distributed energy resources into a single, flexible…
Beyond the build: Green jobs in SA’s renewables industry
South Africa's green economy promises millions of jobs by 2050, driven by renewable energy projects. However, an investigation reveals that while construction phases generate…
Billions are flowing into South Africa’s green economy
The Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) in the Western Cape was established in 2020 to attract green economy investment. Oxpeckers investigates whether this ambition is…
Vaal Hydrogen Hub’s hollow promises
A flagship green hydrogen project is positioned to support industrial development in the Vaal — but there’s no sign of it and little awareness among the communities it is meant…
Merafong’s energy poverty crisis deepens
Under prepaid metering systems, customers must pay upfront for electricity before they can use it
Coal’s slow death in Mpumalanga
As jobs disappear from the coal belt, Middelburg’s economy is buckling. Unpaid rates, collapsing businesses and stalled transition support are deepening the crisis
People power: Off-grid communities light up
Local organisations are pioneering off-grid solutions for rural households left waiting in the dark by Eskom
People who own the sun
There is no official registry of socially owned renewable energy projects in South Africa, but research has identified more than 20 operating initiatives across the country
Mining’s mess is just energy transition’s opportunity
Rehabilitating mines presents an opportunity for environmental restoration and economic empowerment in the energy transition
Municipalities in SA’s energy heartland, Mpumalanga, have financial problems implementing the energy transition
South Africa has received pledges of about $11.6 billion for its just energy transition. Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism asked the treasury how much will be…
Mpumalanga is going with the wind
Wind farms are picking up speed in the province at the heart of South Africa’s energy transition
Mega plans for green hydrogen power in Mpumalanga
The province is the focus of ambitious plans for GH2 power development but civil society organisations fear it promises more than can be delivered
Mpumalanga carbon capture pilot project completed
The initiative aims to capture air pollution and store it in the ground
Mpumalanga gas project aims to bridge just energy transition gap
The development of the R155 million liquefied natural gas pilot is being promoted as a way to alleviate energy shortages while South Africa transitions to renewable energy
Are municipalities good for just energy transition money?
Financing for the JET is increasing, but is being undermined by indebted municipalities in Mpumalanga that are not bankable