This podcast explores social performance practice at the core of South Africa's energy transition. Guests work in a diverse array of spaces, including the public, private and research sectors. We speak to a group of predominantly South African women who offer insights and reflections into community development and social performance, particularly as they relate to renewable energy and its developmental potential. The first season is funded by the TENTRANS research project: Tendering Sustainable Energy Transitions. The project included a dedicated research focus and team that explored South Africa’s renewable energy programme's community development practices. This podcast was born during the course of the research project, by the South African lead researchers Holle Wlokas and Tasneem Jhetam.
Ep 6. A research narrative: Why people perspectives matter to energy transitions
In this episode, we chat with Megan Davies, a researcher and lecturer at the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition (CST) at Stellenbosch University. Megan walks us through her thoughts and research into the energy landscape and ongoing energy transition. Her inquiring mind shines through, and she leaves us with some bold questions about the role of Renewable Energy in creating a more equitable society.
For further exploring:
Energy Democracy - "an emergent social movement advancing renewable energy transitions by resisting the fossil-fuel-dominant energy agenda while reclaiming and democratically restructuring energy regimes"
Transdisciplinary Research - "moves beyond the bridging of divides within academia to engaging directly with the production and use of knowledge outside of the academy"
Publications:
Timothy Mitchell - Carbon Democracy
Cara Daggett - Petro-masculinity: Fossil Fuels and Authoritarian Desire
9 Dec 2020
Ep 5. At the interface: The practitioner as a bridge between the mainstream and the margins
In this episode, we chat with Peter Westoby, a practitioner and researcher of community development. Peter takes us through his career in the field and what it means to fully engage in community development. He questions how practitioners can commit to the practice and offers insightful perspectives on the traditions and approaches used in community development.
For further exploring:
- 40 Critical Thinkers for Community Development - a book by Athena Lathouras, David Palmer, and Peter Westoby
- Does Community Development Work?: Stories and Practice for Reconstructed Community Development in South Africa - a book by Lucius Botes and Peter Westoby
9 Dec 2020
Ep 4. Authentic engagement: The rise of social performance as a profession in South Africa
In this episode, we chat with Alison McCallum, whose social science training helps her make sense of the social performance work that she does in the energy sector. She approaches the complexities of this work through a lens of humanness, and how we relate to each other as a society. Alison encourages practitioners in the industry to question how we develop the tools to best achieve change.
For further exploring:
Alison refers to trauma and woundedness in community development. You can find a practice note on acknowledging trauma here: https://bit.ly/3m4WXVs (https://bit.ly/3m4WXVs)
9 Dec 2020
Ep 3. Showing up at every step: Experience of an economic development manager in the industry
In this episode, we chat with Bianca Jordan, who describes how she navigates her role as a young Economic Development (ED) manager of a Renewable Energy Company. Bianca's passion for community development and motivation to be part of an evolving professional practice is clear. She describes the many roles she plays and gets candid about some of her thoughts and practice approaches.
For further exploring:
Practice note on the importance of collaboration in community development: https://bit.ly/3m4WXVs (https://bit.ly/3m4WXVs)
9 Dec 2020
Ep 2. About intentions: Reflecting on the impact of the renewable energy industry and economic development investments
In this episode, we chat with Masechaba Mabilu who expresses how policies and processes in the Renewable Energy (RE) industry can make or break progress in community development. She describes her understanding of sustainability, which draws on her experiences in a wide range of sectors. Masechaba has come to question how community development can create real and material value for people, and she is dedicated to responding to this through her work in social performance.
For further exploring:
Practice note on committing to community engagement: https://bit.ly/3oDMmlL (https://bit.ly/3oDMmlL)
9 Dec 2020
Ep 1. Insights from the belly of the beast: How a renewable energy programme placed social performance on the map
In this episode, we chat with Thulisile Dlamini who describes her work at the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO). Thuli, very clearly, takes us through the community development side of the REIPPPP, which is the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme. She sheds light on how policy and practice can help each other achieve effective community development, and be a real force for change.
For further exploring:
This episode refers to the USAID learning event (more details found here: https://bit.ly/2IzmiZK (https://energydesk.africa/spaces/deepening-reipppps-community-development-impact)) and the Community Relations Connect sessions (more details found here: https://bit.ly/3qEfHP3 (https://synergy-global.net/crc-comm-relation-sessions/))
1 Dec 2020
Introducing: The Progressive Practice Podcast
Trailer: An introduction to the six-episode series on social performance at the core of the energy transition. This season is funded by the TENTRANS project: Tendering Sustainable Energy Transitions.
This podcast was produced by the South African lead researchers:
Holle Wlokas - hollewlokas@synergy-global.net
Tasneem Jhetam - jhetam.tasneem@gmail.com
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