Mfanelo is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with a strong background in projects and events management across both the public and private sectors. With more than six years of experience, he has successfully led and supported strategic campaigns, stakeholder engagement initiatives, and high-impact events that align with organisational goals. Mfanelo holds an Honours Degree in Marketing and Communications, a BA in Communications, and a Diploma in Project Management, which collectively equip him with a well-rounded skill set to deliver impactful, results-driven events and solutions.

Decarbonising the South African economy in response to the impact of climate change and in line with the country's global commitments is already having an impact on the workers and associated communities in the coal value chain. TIPS is conducting research under multiple projects to assess the impact of the energy transition on coal…

Through dialogue and collaboration, the conference aims to deepen understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with South Africa’s Just Transition and the impacts faced by the working class and communities. It aims to highlight critical insights from ongoing, evidence-based research projects and foster discussions on policy frameworks that balance environmental imperatives with social and economic justice. Ultimately, the conference represents a step forward in shaping sustainable and equitable transition pathways for the working class — ensuring that climate action protects livelihoods, promotes decent work, and places social justice at the core of South Africa’s economic transformation.

OPENING AND SESSION 1: COMMISSIONED RESEARCH

Introduction and context of the programme - Matthew Grant (JTLC Manager) 
Opening and welcome: Rudi Dicks - Presidency
Annual Report on South Africa and Climate Change - Mamokete Modiba (PBS Development Consulting)
The Future of SASOL - Rod Crompton (Employment Relations Exchange)
Quarterly Tracker on Key Just Transition Policy Development and Debates - Dr Nedson Pophiwa (Fuchsia Africa Consulting)
An Analysis of Structures Promoting Participation in the Development of a Just Transition in South Africa - Lethabo Rametsi and Ntandokazi Masimula  (Urban-Econ:NIKELA) 
Discussant - Dr Saul Levin (TIPS)

SESSION 2: INTERNAL RESEARCH

 

The South African government places industrial policy among the key interventions for driving growth. At its core is the manufacturing industry, which faces a rapidly changing global environment shaped by supply chain shifts, climate change, and technological advances. This calls for closer assessment of the implications for South Africa.TIPS is…

Upheaval in the global external environment, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease outbreaks such as the Marburg virus, and the most recent development aid funding cuts, has created a sense of urgency among African nations to relook at health systems resilience and self-sufficiency in the supply of healthcare products.…

The Import Localisation and Supply Chain Disruption study seeks to identify goods from the list of imports identified in the quarterly Import Trackers that South Africa could possibly viably manufacture. Each report focuses on five manufactured items from the list of imports in the corresponding Import Tracker quarterly reports. The five products for the First  Half of 2025 are: Product 1: Self-propelled mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders (excluding self-propelled mechanical shovels with a 360° revolving superstructure and front-end shovel loaders)Product 2: Radio navigational aid apparatusProduct 3: Overhead travelling cranes, transporter cranes, gantry cranes, bridge cranes, and mobile lifting framesProduct 4:…

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response. This update of the…

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response. This update reviews changes…

Main Bulletin:  The Real Economy Bulletin - Third Quarter 2025 In this edition GDP growth: The GDP increased by 0.5% in the third quarter of 2025. Growth in the year to the third quarter was 1.9%, but it was somewhat inflated by an extraordinary jump reported for agriculture. Construction and utilities, however, shrank 5.6% over the past year. Read more. Employment: In the year to the third quarter of 2025, employment grew by 109 000 jobs, or 0.6%. While total employment has risen 4.2% since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, it has lagged behind the working-aged population. Methodological changes in the Quarterly Labour Force Survey this…

African Programme on Rethinking Development Economics Virtual Conference: Industrial Development in Africa Tuesday 17 March 2026 Virtual Conference on Zoom APORDE will be holding its third virtual conference on Tuesday 17 March 2026. The theme of the virtual conference is Industrial Development in Africa. The conference is for the alumni from the APORDE and IPPM programmes to talk about their work or areas of research. The focus is not only academic papers, and we are inviting alumni to present on the work they are doing, be it in government, civil society or academia, to support industrial development.The 2026 Alumni conference…

Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) will host its Annual Forum on Tuesday and Wednesday, 4 and 5 August 2026, in Johannesburg. The theme is: New directions in industrialisation and industrial policy in Africa. The 2026 TIPS Forum seeks to explore the implications of the changing geopolitical and technological environment for industrial policy and economic development in Africa. The Forum will have a hybrid format that enables mostly in-person presentations to engage a diverse virtual audience. It will provide a platform for high-level panel discussions between industry, civil society, policymakers and academics. Authors are invited to submit an abstract of…

In the second quarter of 2025, monitoring added 17 projects to the Tracker, 10 of which reported their value, amounting to R26.9 billion. Projects were registered across mining, manufacturing, services and utilities. Employment opportunities were recorded from three projects, with most jobs - 852 jobs - reported under Bid Window…

This report outlines targeted entry points to be considered for mitigating adverse impacts associated with the rise of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs), with a particular focus on managing their effects in South Africa. The proposed interventions aim to safeguard and enhance South Africa’s access to export markets while supporting the…

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response. This note provides an…

We are bombarded daily with messages about technological disruption, including the advances in AI and automation that lie ahead for workplaces, workers and infrastructure. It is often hard to decipher the implications for our work, key industries, and society. At the same time, indicators of South Africa’s innovation performance and longer-term technological capabilities show a concerning downward trend. But we don’t need the statistics to tell us what we can see when we visit companies or workplaces. In almost every sector, a handful of companies are thriving by being innovative. In contrast, a large group of companies appear to lag technology and innovation trends. In many sector strategies and industry action plans, technology is treated generically. The result is that those who can, innovate; and those who can’t, fall further behind.

This course will focus on the factors that shape our industries' ability to learn about new technology and the ecosystem that supports innovators. It will help participants to discern the noise from the signal and equip them to help industries or other stakeholders better observe, anticipate and strategically respond to technological change opportunities.

Course Faciltator: Dr Shawn Cunningham, project leader of the Technological Change and Innovation System Observatory implemented by TIPS.

Date: 17 & 18 February 2026

Venue: TIPS Office: 234 Lange Street Nieuw Muckleneuk Pretoria

Cost: R7000 (Including VAT) per delegate

For more information contact Rozale Sewduth at Rozale@tips.org.za 

For more information on the TIPS Technological Change and Innovation System Observatory visit: https://www.tips.org.za/projects/technological-change-and-innovation-system-observatory

For more information on the training workshop download the brochure.

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response. This study assesses the…

This study seeks to understand what has caused and continues to cause South Africa’s R&D efforts to not yield intended outcomes in innovation, industrial development, employment, and economic growth. The study employs a case study approach using some of the R&D-led projects in South Africa since 1994. The study recognises…

Programme Manager: LEAP Project Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is looking for an experienced Programme Manager to support the Leapfrogging to Zero Emission Transport in Sub-Saharan Africa (LEAP) project. The successful candidate will support the project's preparatory phase and will be responsible for leading the in-country implementation. This role requires skills in consortium coordination and grant management to ensure collaboration with partners and the delivery of project outcomes. About the Project The Leapfrogging to Zero Emission Transport in Sub-Saharan Africa (LEAP) project is a regional initiative aimed at accelerating the deployment of EVs and developing local value chains within…

Deputy Executive Director The TIPS Deputy Executive Director, in collaboration with the Executive Director and management team, is responsible for effective oversight over the operational, research and capacity building programmes at TIPS. This role combines operations management, research and research management, and external engagements.  Further information on TIPS can be accessed on this website. Background For the past 30 years TIPS has been involved in research, dialogue, training and policy engagement on inclusive and sustainable industrial development in South Africa. Over the past decade the organisation has seen significant growth working across a range of sectors, processes and policy issues.…

  The impact of climate change and the decisions taken to reduce emissions will have an impact on workers and communities in multiple value-chains. Five key value chains that will be impacted are Coal, Petroleum based Transport, Tourism, Metals and Agriculture. TIPS, with funding from the UK-PACT programme, has undertaken Sector…