On July 10, 2025, a vibrant tapestry of voices came together in a virtual space to mark the launch of the Shaping Inclusive Transitions (SIT) project. Jointly hosted by the African Centre for Green Economy (AfriCGE) and The South African Trust, the webinar aimed to ignite critical conversations around just transitions those that prioritize the needs, leadership, and wisdom of local communities.
More than a ceremonial event, this was a rallying point for bold ideas, lived experience, and an urgent commitment to redesign systems that often leave marginalized voices behind. Most notably, the dialogue spotlighted women’s leadership in climate resilience, from rural households to policy halls.
Why Shaping Inclusive Transitions (SIT) Matters
In the broader landscape of climate resilience, SIT stands out as a catalyst for systemic change, designed not merely to convene thought leaders but to operationalize inclusive climate justice. It recognizes a critical gap in existing climate strategies: the disconnect between top-down policy frameworks and grassroots lived realities.
Where national governments and global institutions craft climate plans and financing packages, local communities bear the brunt of environmental degradation, economic displacement, and social upheaval. SIT addresses this imbalance through a dual approach:
- Policy Integration: Advocating for models where grassroots voices inform the design and implementation of transition policies.
- Community Platforms: Supporting networks that empower women, youth, and marginalized entrepreneurs to lead on green innovation.
SIT matters because it anchors climate justice in community experience, not in boardroom metrics alone.
Key Highlights from the Speakers
Dr. Mao Amis – Executive Director, AfriCGE
Dr. Amis opened with a call to reframe the just transition narrative through a deeply African lens. He argued that the continent’s climate response must be rooted in community action, not imposed blueprints. His perspective set the tone for the day’s theme: grassroots-first thinking.
Neil Cole – JET Financing Manager, The Presidency of South Africa
Cole’s contribution was deeply structural. He dissected the barriers that prevent grassroots organizations from accessing climate finance, calling for transparency, trust-building, and institutional accountability. He emphasized that the just transition is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rewrite the social contract, anchoring equity and sustainability.
Makoma Lekalakala – Director, Earthlife Africa
Makoma delivered a stirring reflection grounded in frontline activism. She argued that communities especially women have always been the protectors of their ecosystems, even while being excluded from formal policy forums. She urged policymakers to shift from decision-making for communities to decision-making with them.
Under her leadership, Earthlife Africa has built platforms where women are central to climate advocacy and implementation from organizing clean energy campaigns to resisting harmful extractive projects. Her message was clear: environmental protection is a community defense mechanism, not an elite pursuit.
Kealeboga Tshikovhi – Founder & CEO, Lamo Fuel
Tshikovhi’s story was one of resilience and disruption. As a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated energy sector, she shared the struggles of accessing recognition and funding, especially in early stages. Her eventual breakthrough came through private support, illustrating the need for diversified funding channels for women-led ventures. She emphasized that youth and women are central to innovation in the green economy, and their ideas must be nurtured, not sidelined.
Prof. Hassan Kaya – Director, DST-NRF Indigenous Knowledge Centre
Prof. Kaya brought an academic yet spiritual grounding to the conversation. He spoke about the richness of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) from seed saving and water management to language and storytelling.
He reminded attendees that environmental justice is not limited to carbon accounting, but connected to food, dignity, and community governance. He also emphasized the role of women as knowledge custodians, carrying ecological memory and tradition through generations.
Thandiwe Thandiwe Chidavarume – Community Leader and Innovator , Women and Land Zimbabwe
While brief, Thandiwe’s input echoed the theme of women’s leadership from managing agricultural hubs to pioneering off-grid renewable energy in isolated communities. Her work has restored food sovereignty and climate resilience through indigenous seed systems and brought jobs, dignity, and power to off-grid villages. Thandiwe exemplifies the transformative spirit SIT seeks to uplift where local wisdom meets innovation and yields scalable, deeply personal transformation.
A Call to Action: Making Just Transitions Truly Inclusive
The webinar concluded with remarks from Ms. Aliness Mumba, on behalf of the South African Trust. She summarized the collective energy and intent of the gathering. She affirmed the project’s commitment to:
- Put women at the forefront.
- Bring grassroots organizations into decision-making.
- Ensure no community is left behind in the shift to a greener future.
She emphasized that inclusion is not just a checkbox, but a transformative principle, pledging support for climate financing, training, and governance frameworks that center women and youth.
Green Entrepreneurship: A Pillar of Just Transitions
SIT also prioritizes green entrepreneurship as a pillar of just transition. This includes renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste innovation, and low-carbon infrastructure, particularly enterprises led by women and youth. A case in point: Kealeboga Tshikovhi’s Lamo Fuel, a bold player in sustainable fuel alternatives. Her success challenges norms in a male-dominated industry and illustrates the untapped potential of diverse leadership in green sectors. SIT acknowledges that unlocking climate capital requires removing systemic barriers to funding and visibility a key message echoed throughout the webinar.
Conclusion: Reimagining Climate Justice Through Inclusion
By weaving together lived experiences, academic insight, entrepreneurial grit, and policy foresight, SIT is not just another climate initiative, it’s a strategic map toward a just, inclusive, and community-powered transition. It gives voice to women who carry the weight of tradition and transformation. It amplifies green entrepreneurs who disrupt the norm. And most of all, it reimagines the climate narrative from one of exclusion to one of equity and authenticity.
Author: Allen Kemigisa
Communications & Research Intern
