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Energy Conversations Podcast

Energy Conversations Podcast

Kani Development Solutions 68 Episodes Sep 22, 2026

The Energy Conversations Podcast explores South Africa's energy revolution, covering policy shifts, innovations, and insights from industry leaders and academic pioneers. Hosted by energy expert Thokozile Zambane and powered by the African Energy Leadership Centre at Wits Business School, it aims to decode the complexities of the country's energy future.

Episodes

Take Up Your Space: A Powerhouse Woman's Guide to Building an Energy Career
Take Up Your Space: A Powerhouse Woman's Guide to Building an Energy Career Sep 22, 2026 00:21:26 How do you build a 20-year career in the energy sector without ever planning to? For Lomile Modiselle, Director of Energy and Electricity Technical Services at the City of Tshwane, the answer is simple: find the gap, and fill it.In this episode of Energy Conversations - Careers, Lomile shares her remarkable journey. From dropping out of civil engineering due to lack of funds, to stumbling into ele
Are South Africa's municipal grids ready for the energy transition?
Are South Africa's municipal grids ready for the energy transition? Sep 15, 2026 00:46:48 Eskom generates South Africa's electricity, but it's the municipality that gets it into your kitchen, and that last mile is where the energy transition will actually be decided.  In this episode, Thokozile Zambane speaks to Lomile Modiselle, director of energy and electricity technical services at the City of Tshwane, about her Wits research into how municipalities in Gauteng are integrati
Energy Careers: Dr Phindile Masangane on building a career and a family in energy
Energy Careers: Dr Phindile Masangane on building a career and a family in energy Aug 24, 2026 00:51:56  Dr Phindile Masangane's career has taken her from a chemistry lab in rural Eswatini to executive roles across South Africa's energy sector, and now to the Development Bank of Southern Africa.  In this episode of Energy Conversations, she walks through the real version of that journey: the opportunities she didn't plan for, building a career and a family at the same time, and what it a
Inside the DBSA: The Bank Funding South Africa's Energy Future
Inside the DBSA: The Bank Funding South Africa's Energy Future Aug 4, 2026 00:51:48 Every substation, wind farm, and power line in South Africa gets built because someone took on the risk first. In this episode of Energy Conversations, host Thokozile Zambane sits down with Dr. Phindile Masangane, Group Executive: Programs at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), to unpack how South Africa's energy infrastructure gets funded. Energy Conversations is powered by Kani D
Listening to Lead: How Loyiso Tyabashe Rebuilt South Africa's Nuclear Energy Firm, Necsa
Listening to Lead: How Loyiso Tyabashe Rebuilt South Africa's Nuclear Energy Firm, Necsa Jul 14, 2026 00:22:04 Loyiso Tyabashe, Group CEO of Nexa (the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation), traces his path from a village outside Mthatha to leading one of South Africa's key energy institutions. He talks through the chance detour from automotive engineering into nuclear at Koeberg, the "nuclearisation" training that reshaped how he makes decisions, and the toughest transition of his life —
The Skills South Africa Actually Needs for Nuclear, with Necsa's CEO
The Skills South Africa Actually Needs for Nuclear, with Necsa's CEO Jun 23, 2026 00:54:18 Necsa Group CEO Loyiso Tyabashe says a nuclear plant's biggest workforce need isn't just physicists, it's artisans.In this episode, host Thokozile Zambane sits down with Tyabashe to unpack South Africa's nuclear roadmap: the revival of the PBMR, the IRP's 5,200MW target, and what it actually takes in skills, training and investment to get there.Covered in this episode:Why PBMR was taken out of car
How to Think About Your Career in SA's New Energy Economy
How to Think About Your Career in SA's New Energy Economy May 19, 2026 00:56:40 In this episode, we sit down with EWSETA to unpack the new energy careers emerging in South Africa  and how South Africans can get in early.From solar PV technicians and wind turbine operators to battery storage specialists and green hydrogen roles to entrepreneurs in law, finance and more, the Just Energy Transition is opening up career paths that didn't exist a decade ago. The catch? The ski
SA's Power Market Is Changing. Here's What to Know | Full Episode
SA's Power Market Is Changing. Here's What to Know | Full Episode Apr 21, 2026 01:04:21 South Africa's electricity market is restructuring. The Electricity Regulation Amendment Act came into effect in January 2025, opening the door for competitive electricity trading for the first time. But what does that mean and who gets to participate? In this episode of Energy Conversations, Keith Bowen, Market Operator at NTCSA, breaks down what the new wholesale electricity market looks lik
Power Prices, Load Reduction and Participation with Minister Ramokgopa | Full Episode
Power Prices, Load Reduction and Participation with Minister Ramokgopa | Full Episode Mar 24, 2026 00:58:28 In this opening episode of Season 3 of Energy Conversations, Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on the issues ordinary South Africans care about most: load reduction, electricity prices, access, jobs, and community participation. This season is about one big shift: moving from policy to participation. We're asking how energy pla
Entering the Energy Sector Without a Formal Degree (Part 2)
Entering the Energy Sector Without a Formal Degree (Part 2) Oct 7, 2025 00:24:17 What does it take to build a career in energy without a degree?Hosts Nolukhanyo Mpisane and Wandile Ntshingila speak with Kedibone, an administrator turned aspiring energy professional, proving that passion and persistence can open doors. She shares how short courses, curiosity, and continuous learning shaped her path and how she’s helping others enter the renewable energy space.Watch Part 1 with
Energy Careers: Monde Bala
Energy Careers: Monde Bala Oct 1, 2025 00:11:09 Energy Careers brings you a focused conversation with Monde Bala, CEO of the National Transmission Company of South Africa. He shares his career journey from his studies through his early professional roles to leading the country’s new transmission entity. The discussion explores Eskom’s restructuring, the mandate of the NTCSA, and what transmission reform means for reliability, grid investment, a
Building the Backbone: How NTCSA is Leading South Africa’s Energy Future
Building the Backbone: How NTCSA is Leading South Africa’s Energy Future Sep 23, 2025 00:44:49 This episode of Energy Conversations features Monde Bala, CEO of the National Transmission Company of South Africa. He discusses the restructuring of Eskom, the role of the new transmission company, and its implications for South Africa’s electricity future. The conversation unpacks how transmission reforms affect reliability, investment in the grid, and the country’s Just Energy Transition. Mr Ba

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