Meet South Africa's top presidential candidates; African National Congress' President Cyril Ramaphosa, Democratic Alliance's John Steenhuisen, and Economic Freedom Fighters' Julius Malema.As we head into next week's National Elections, with the news that unemployment is now at an all-time-high of 33% overall and 46% among the youth, many South Africans see this election as the most significant since 1994.
An important part of the debate was when political parties got a chance to hear directly from communities about the environmental issues they face, such as lack of access to clean water, the impact of loadshedding on livelihoods.
The Economic Freedom Fighters said that before they can focus on climate change, they intend to prioritise industrialisation and job creation. The party plans to move to renewables at its own pace. The EFF merely acknowledges the issues of energy poverty and climate change; however, the creation of jobs is their top priority.
The Democratic Alliance said it recognises the need for both mitigation efforts and adaptation measures, to reduce the country's greenhouse gas contributions and to support South Africans through a changing climate. This includes providing alternative employment opportunities to support those impacted by the transition to renewable energies in finding meaningful work.
Rise Mzansi says it believes that making climate change mitigation a priority brings with it opportunities for South Africans. The party supports the decentralisation of South Africa's energy industry and a transition away from coal-dependency, which would be to the benefit of communities most affected by the coal industry. Rise Mzansi says it is guided by intersectionality, which sees climate justice and social justice as interconnected.