NGOs should declare funds when opposing some energy projects, Gwede Mantashe says
On the opening day of Africa Oil Week, activists protested outside the CTICC with mascots of Gwede Mantashe and an oil barrel lying in a bed
10 October 2023 - 13:10
byKhulekani Magubane
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Minister of mineral resources and energy, Gwede Mantashe. Picture: SIPHIWE SIBEKO
Environmental organisations should be made to declare their funding in the same way political parties do if they campaign publicly against nonrenewable energy projects and investments, says Gwede Mantashe.
The minister of mineral resources and energy was speaking at Africa Oil and Gas Week at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Tuesday.
He told delegates that SA and other African countries had seen major companies pull plans to invest in energy projects due to legal challenges by NGOs stalling their implementation.
“We can’t allow them to have unlimited power. Political parties in SA are registered. They must declare who they are funded by. We can’t have organisations preventing development with foreign funds. We must consolidate our resources together to develop,” said Mantashe.
Asked to elaborate during a media briefing later in the day, the minister mentioned institutions such as the Ford Foundation, Open Society and billionaire philanthropist George Soros.
“We know who is paying for that. Ford Foundation, for all those ... When we say these are the people funding these legal challenges, we are not thinking that, we know that. Party funding is about parties being registered and declaring where your funding comes from publicly. All we are saying is that similar rules must be applicable to everybody.”
Environmental activists protest outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre during Africa Oil and Gas Week. Picture: SUPPLIED.
Meanwhile, on the opening day of Africa Oil Week, environmental activists protested outside the CTICC with mascots of Mantashe and an oil barrel lying in a bed.
When asked when the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) would be ready and if reports that wind energy would be excluded from the plan were true, Mantashe said to suggest a specific form of energy technology would be excluded before the plan is presented to cabinet was to make “assumptions”.
“We have completed a model for the IRP. We are now composing a proposal. To say something will be excluded will be putting the cart before the horse. There will be a public consultation process and it will be a multifaceted set of proposals and consultation. It will be tabled before the cabinet by the end of October.”
The minister added that even though the government was caught up in a number of legal challenges from NGOs regarding planned drives, including offshore exploration, SA was making more progress investing in renewables than many countries on the continent.
He urged Eskom to be ready for the uptake of any and all technology allowed for in the IRP once it is public.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
NGOs should declare funds when opposing some energy projects, Gwede Mantashe says
On the opening day of Africa Oil Week, activists protested outside the CTICC with mascots of Gwede Mantashe and an oil barrel lying in a bed
Environmental organisations should be made to declare their funding in the same way political parties do if they campaign publicly against nonrenewable energy projects and investments, says Gwede Mantashe.
The minister of mineral resources and energy was speaking at Africa Oil and Gas Week at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Tuesday.
He told delegates that SA and other African countries had seen major companies pull plans to invest in energy projects due to legal challenges by NGOs stalling their implementation.
“We can’t allow them to have unlimited power. Political parties in SA are registered. They must declare who they are funded by. We can’t have organisations preventing development with foreign funds. We must consolidate our resources together to develop,” said Mantashe.
Asked to elaborate during a media briefing later in the day, the minister mentioned institutions such as the Ford Foundation, Open Society and billionaire philanthropist George Soros.
“We know who is paying for that. Ford Foundation, for all those ... When we say these are the people funding these legal challenges, we are not thinking that, we know that. Party funding is about parties being registered and declaring where your funding comes from publicly. All we are saying is that similar rules must be applicable to everybody.”
Meanwhile, on the opening day of Africa Oil Week, environmental activists protested outside the CTICC with mascots of Mantashe and an oil barrel lying in a bed.
When asked when the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) would be ready and if reports that wind energy would be excluded from the plan were true, Mantashe said to suggest a specific form of energy technology would be excluded before the plan is presented to cabinet was to make “assumptions”.
“We have completed a model for the IRP. We are now composing a proposal. To say something will be excluded will be putting the cart before the horse. There will be a public consultation process and it will be a multifaceted set of proposals and consultation. It will be tabled before the cabinet by the end of October.”
The minister added that even though the government was caught up in a number of legal challenges from NGOs regarding planned drives, including offshore exploration, SA was making more progress investing in renewables than many countries on the continent.
He urged Eskom to be ready for the uptake of any and all technology allowed for in the IRP once it is public.
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