Nationally, SEF has already shown promise: it has supported over 50,000 participants, with at least 70% engaging in activities linked to food production, greening, and infrastructure maintenance. The hope is that similar outcomes will follow in Komati. By prioritising skills development as a pathway to employment, this initiative does not just address immediate economic needs but also lays the groundwork for a more resilient and self-sufficient community.
Komati Power Station, which had operated since 1961, played a significant role in powering South Africa through coal-generated electricity. At its height, it supplied 121 megawatts to the national grid. However, in alignment with the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 – a strategy aimed at phasing out 10,500 megawatts of coal-based energy by 2030 – Komati was earmarked for decommissioning.