Uncle Gweezy at the Africa Energy Indaba

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Wed 08 Mar   [Ozayr Patel] I wonder if Gwede Mantashe had any inkling that Greenpeace Africa would disrupt his keynote address at the Africa Energy Indaba on Tuesday in Cape Town. Either way, the minister of mineral resources and energy forged ahead with his speech. The protestors wanted him to stop blocking renewable energy projects and to end coal usage. But that did not deter the minister. He said: “Coal will be with us for many years to come; those who see it as a road to corruption will be disappointed for many years. Coal is going to outlive many of us.” What is curious is his attitude to known corruption and theft in Eskom. The minister is sticking to his guns about coal-fired electricity, saying in his speech that power stations should be fixed. He also called for African countries to use their extensive minerals, noting how the continent has an abundance of minerals for a just energy transition. Part of his address included a call for gas, which he believes is affordable and attainable. Addressing the matter of the new post of minister of electricity in the presidency, he said his department is keen to work with the minister of electricity — newly appointed Kgosientsho “Sputla” Ramokgopa — with the goal of ending load-shedding. After previously calling the job as that of a “project manager”, he has now said it is an important position and that Ramokgopa is “capable”. Mantashe added that he hopes the relationship will be “complimentary instead of overlapping”. Let’s see if the “project manager” will pursue renewable energy or stick to coal like Mantashe seems so determined to do. Please sign up for the Green Guardian, our environmental newsletter [here](. Ozayr Patel | Climate & Environment Editor | [@Ozayr8]( [Mantashe defends the continued use of coal at Africa Energy Indaba]( Greenpeace activists’ protest disrupts the mineral resources and energy minister’s speech Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? 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Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( Pic of the day Bridge between traditional old mud houses, Asir province, Dhahran Al Janub, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa