Decarbonising the South African economy and achieving a “just transition” has placed a renewed emphasis on the need to diversify local economies, especially in places dominated by coal. TIPS is conducting research under multiple projects that focuses on sector and place-based strategies for promoting greener, more diversified economies while ensuring that those affected by the transition are supported and can thrive with new opportunities or in new job markets.
Elements of this research were presented at a Learning Event on 5 March 2026.
Lesego Moshikaro-Aman (TIPS) - Welcome and Opening RemarksPresentations
Michael Hector (TIPS) - Sector Jobs Resilience Plan (SJRP) Agriculture value chain
Gillian Chigumira (TIPS) - Diffusion of climate change technology, innovation and practices for small-scale farmers
Kate Rivett-Carnac (Independant Consultant) - Tourism and potential diversification opportunities for Mpumalanga
Kate Rivett-Carnac (Independant Consultant) - Tourism and potential diversification opportunities for Mpumalanga
Ntombifuthi Tshabalala (TIPS) - Supporting the Development of an Economic Diversification Strategy for the Komati Ward 4 Region
Muhammed Patel (TIPS) - Discussant
Media
TIPS learning event highlights diversification potential for coal-dependent communities - Sabrina Jardin, Mining Weekly. 6 March 2026
Speakers
Dr Michael Hector is an economist in Sustainable Development at Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), with expertise in environmental governance in South Africa. His work at TIPS focuses on green industrial policy, agriculture and food processing.
Gillian Chigumira is a Senior Economist at TIPS, specialising in industrial development and inclusive economic growth in South Africa and across the SADC region, with expertise in national industry masterplans, sector strategies, and local and regional value chain analysis.
Kathleen (Kate) Rivett-Carnac has more than 20 years of economic development planning, research and advisory services gained across consultancies, and as a Director at the South African national department of Trade and Industry, as a senior Specialist at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and as Special Advisor to the Minister of Tourism in South Africa (between 2015 and 2017). Kate has also served as a non-executive Director on the board of the national tourism organisation. Kate's typical research and advisory work includes policy analysis and guidance, SME research, market and financial assessments, investment strategies, business strategies and business cases. Her focus is on the development and promotion of the green, blue and low-carbon economy, with a specialisation in the tourism sector. She holds an MPhil (cum laude) in Sustainable development planning and management from the University of Stellenbosch.
Kathleen (Kate) Rivett-Carnac has more than 20 years of economic development planning, research and advisory services gained across consultancies, and as a Director at the South African national department of Trade and Industry, as a senior Specialist at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and as Special Advisor to the Minister of Tourism in South Africa (between 2015 and 2017). Kate has also served as a non-executive Director on the board of the national tourism organisation. Kate's typical research and advisory work includes policy analysis and guidance, SME research, market and financial assessments, investment strategies, business strategies and business cases. Her focus is on the development and promotion of the green, blue and low-carbon economy, with a specialisation in the tourism sector. She holds an MPhil (cum laude) in Sustainable development planning and management from the University of Stellenbosch.
Ntombifuthi Tshabalala is a Economist at TIPS, where she works on the Just SA project. Her research focuses on the economic diversification of the Mpumalanga coalfields. She also facilitates Green Economy and Just Transition capacity-building workshops for local and provincial government officials across different provinces.
Muhammed Patel is a Senior Economist specialising in Sustainable Development at TIPS. Muhammed has been at TIPS for 9 years. He holds a Masters in Economics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Muhammed's background spans work in industrial development, and competition and regulatory economics.
