The Evolving Role Of Coal In A Just And Sustainable Energy Transition

Joburg Indaba Day 2 2025- Feature: Bernard Swanepoel – Chair Mike Teke – CEO, Seriti Resources Ruan Nagel – Chief Commercial Officer, Menar Toby Makgatho – FutureCoal Minister Gwede Mantashe – Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy This candid session tackles coal’s controversial, yet indispensable role in South Africa’s energy mix. Bernard Swanepoel leads a forthright discussion with Mike Teke and industry peers on the practical realities of transitioning toward cleaner energy while sustaining economic growth and jobs. Timestamps (approximate): 00:00 – Opening remarks and humour with Minister Mantashe 00:10 – Global context: energy security post-Ukraine war 00:20 – Carbon capture and efficiency improvements 00:34 – Financing the grid and renewables 00:55 – Employment and youth engagement 00:01:05 – Seriti’s renewable projects and strategy 00:01:17 – Bureaucracy, investment speed, and regulatory reform 00:01:21 – Audience Q&A and closing reflections Key topics include: Energy Security: South Africa has no affordable baseload substitute for coal in the short term; nuclear and gas alternatives remain slow or complex. Cleaner Coal Innovation: Advances in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and efficiency upgrades are proving that coal can coexist with renewables. Investment and Bureaucracy: Teke calls for faster regulatory decisions and greater industry involvement in shaping practical policy. Seriti’s Transition Story: From coal assets to Seriti Green, building 111 wind turbines and 900MW hybrid capacity – proof of private-sector drive toward balanced decarbonization. Political Context: A frank look at how global narratives and domestic politics shape the coal debate. Workforce Development: Seriti’s training, internships, and university engagement show young South Africans still see opportunity in coal. The discussion closes with Swanepoel’s trademark realism: “Without coal, there is no South African economy – that’s not the dream, that’s the reality. Note on Timestamps: To provide the most useful navigation, the timestamps are linked to the start of the topic, theme, or question being discussed. They may occasionally be a few seconds before the speaker completes their sentence, ensuring you catch the beginning of the idea. Subscribe to our other platforms and keep the conversations going: The Zero Bull Sh*t Newsletter:   / zero-bull-sht-7312489607210635266   THINKspiration:   / thinkspiration   Resources For Africa:   / resources-for-africa