Investors and inventors meet for the Gauteng Energy Expo

New Executive Major of Johannesburg Thapelo Amad, shares with the participants of the Gauteng Energy Expo that the presence of load-shedding has greatly affected the employment rate in the country and is determined to find permanent solutions to eradicate the presence of load-shedding with investors and partners.

March 6, 2023

Motlatsi Mailula 1 minute read

New Executive Major of Johannesburg Thapelo Amad attends the Gauteng Energy Expo. Photo: Motlatsi Mailula

Members of the Executive Council of Gauteng indicated they were passed the talking stage and were now looking for permanent solutions to the energy crisis in the province.

The council met with investors and representatives of renewable energy supply companies at the Gauteng Energy Expo organised by the Gauteng Provincial Government. The expo was held at The Campus in Bryanston on February 16.

Premier Panyaza Lesufi informs participants of the Gauteng Energy Expo that the time of talking is over as they seek renewable energy solutions. Photo: Motlatsi Mailula

A panel discussion was conducted with key members of the council including Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Executive Major Thapelo Amad, MEC for Finance and e-Government Mzikayifani Mzi Khumalo and the Gauteng chairperson of the South African Local Government Association Jongizizwe Dlabathi. The members shared their thoughts on the challenges of the power crisis and their ideas for solutions.

MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, eGovernment and Research and Development Mzikayifani Khumalo

“The presence of this ongoing challenge [load-shedding] that we face is affecting large and small enterprises. As the City of Johannesburg and myself, as the mayor, I would like to continue the legacy of the late mayor, Mpho Moerane, who embarked on a strategy of the provision of mixed energy in or city,” said Amad.

Programme manager of the Khumo Project Doreen Mukuku and Mandy Cheon who is the financial administrator of the project gear up for the staff raffle before visiting Diepsloot Primary School.

Lesufi thanked all of the participants who took the time off from their busy schedules to attend the expo.

“We are not here to narrate the problems of Eskom and the problems of our energy supply,” he said.
“I want to thank all of the people in the panel discussion who have agreed to contribute and provide the ideas that we are looking for. I want to participate in your investment, I need products that will take us out of this problem and I need to do it now.
“With our searching for the perfect solutions, we will shield the poorest of the poor, they deserve our support too. We came here looking for gold. That gold is gone, our new gold is now renewable energy.”