WEBINAR: South Africa – European Union Critical Minerals Partnership
Understanding the Significance and Implications for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Partnerships and Energy Minerals Sector
Moderator
Koffi M. Kouakou
Natural Resources Management Strategist. Foresight and Scenario Planning Strategist. African Futures Specialist. Strategic Communications Facilitator. Organisational Storyteller. Media Sociologist
He is a sessional lecturer at the Tayarisha Research Group at the Wits School of Governance at Wits University Johannesburg, South Africa; and a senior research fellow at the Centre for Africa China Studies at the University of Johannesburg.
Finally, he is a member of the OECD Expert Group on Strategic Foresight, a dynamic Group of 10 globally renowned foresight experts that bring fresh perspectives, cutting-edge methodologies, and innovative thinking to the OECD for shaping modern, evidence-based and anticipatory policies.
He is fluent in English and French.
Speakers
Professor Mkhulu Mathe
Head of the Centre for Energy Materials Design and Innovation , University of South Africa
In his role, he provides visionary thought leadership in key partnerships, formulates strategies, and develops policies. He leads negotiations, oversees budget planning, and engages in media communications as a prolific author, speaker, and interviewer. From 2016 to 2024, he served as the Chair of the University of Johannesburg’s PEETS station. Professor Mathe is actively involved in organising local and international conferences, including the ICAT 2024, as well as the AMRS 2017 conference in Botswana and the ISE 70 conference in Durban, for which he co-authored a foreword in the special conference publication in Electrochimica Acta titled “Electrochemistry: Linking Resources to Sustainable Development.”
Additionally, he serves on the advisory boards of Isondo Precious Metals Pty Ltd, the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) – Sub-Committee on Energy Storage, and the Department of Energy’s Committee on Nuclear Research, Development, and Innovation. He also serves as a reviewer for several high-impact academic journals, acts as an academic supervisor and mentor, and serves as an examiner for MSc and PhD candidates across most South African universities in the fields of materials science, chemistry, physics, and engineering. His primary research interests focus on advanced energy materials, electrochemical studies, and the synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials for energy devices.
Professor Mathe was a key member of the core teams responsible for establishing the National Nanotechnology Center, the Hydrogen South Africa Program (HySA), and the DSI Energy Storage Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) plan. His contributions included the founding of the CSIR Energy Center in the 2000s and active participation in the energy initiatives of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) collaboration, which subsequently evolved into BRICS. This involvement facilitated his presentations at the Brazil, China, and South Africa summits focused on mentoring young researchers.
Professor Mathe obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Elmira College, New York, USA, followed by a Master of Science in Physical Chemistry from the University of Transkei, now recognised as Walter Sisulu University. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Electroanalytical Chemistry from the University of Georgia, where he conducted research under the guidance of Professor J.L. Stickney, a pioneer in Electrochemical Atomic Layer Epitaxy (ECALE) for the electrodeposition of energy devices, including semiconductors and solar cells. His work encompassed the electrodeposition and characterisation of nanostructured II-VI and III-V semiconductor materials.
His research interests are diverse, encompassing the electrodeposition of materials, solar photovoltaics, nanotechnology for hydrogen storage, electrocatalysis in fuel cells, and energy storage via lithium-ion battery technologies for renewable energy, as well as critical minerals for energy solutions and electric vehicles.
Currently, Professor Mathe is also leading efforts to revitalise and modernise the CSET research laboratories and infrastructure. He is committed to the establishment of energy-efficient buildings, with all equipment designed to include delay mechanisms to prevent damage to costly instruments. Additionally, he actively participates in the Energy Storage Partnership (ESP) within the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), where Unisa serves as a partner. The current initiative focuses on formalising informal circular battery recycling, reuse, and repurposing within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with potential pilot projects being developed in South Africa.
Gaylor Montmasson-Clair
Director and Co-Founder, Southern Transitions
Prior to that, Gaylor was a Senior Economist at Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), a South Africa-based economic policy research institute, where he led work on sustainability and just transition. He was also the Facilitator for the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), the industrialisation plan for South Africa’s renewable energy and battery storage value chain. Gaylor has been working in policy analysis and development, economic and climate diplomacy, and strategic facilitation for more than 15 years. He has carried extensive work on the (just) transition to an inclusive green economy from a Global South perspective, with a focus on policy frameworks, industrial development and just transition. He holds two Master’s degree, respectively in International Affairs from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po) of Grenoble, France, and in Energy and Environment Economics from the Grenoble Faculty of Economics, France. He is a PhD candidate in Economics at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
Dr Nqobile Xaba
Energy and Mineral Resource Development Specialist, Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection
Prior to joining MISTRA, she was a chemistry lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology. She previously worked as researcher at the at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for half a decade in the energy materials group, her research works focused on energy conversion and storage technologies (Fuel cells and rechargeable batteries). She holds a BSc degree in pure and applied chemistry (cum laude) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and BSc honours degree in chemistry, an MSc degree in chemical engineering science from the University of North-West (NWU), and a PhD in chemistry from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). She is an alumnus of the 72nd Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting.
Dr Xaba’s current work includes conducting research on South Africa’s implementation for a just transition framework in South Africa, beneficiation of South Africa’s minerals for the energy transition and clean energy technologies. She works with diverse teams in the African continent and globally, researching Africa’s energy needs in the context of an evolving climate landscape and the socio-economic implications for South Africa’s energy transition.
She has published her work on renowned scientific journal articles, has contributed book chapters and opinion editorial articles on leading South African publications. She is the co-editor and contributing author to the MISTRA volume A Just Transition to a Low Carbon Future in South Africa.
Dr Xaba holds a Senior Research Fellow appointment with the Foundation for Renewable Energy and Environment https://freefutures.org/research/.
Sodhie B. Naicker
Geologist and the Managing Director of DMT Kai Batla
With over 25 years of experience, he specialises in the technical and economic evaluation of mining projects, with a strong focus on critical raw materials, beneficiation strategy, and mineral policy development. He has advised international institutions, governments, and the private sector on projects spanning Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Sodhie is a registered Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat), a Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa, and a member of several international professional bodies.
Julia Poliscanova
Transport and Environment, Senior Director for Vehicles & Emobility Supply Chains, Brussels
Julia previously worked as senior EU environment expert for the Mayor of London and, as an advisor to an MEP, followed legislation on renewables, energy efficiency and sustainable transport. Hailing from Latvia, Julia studied European politics and French at Goldsmiths, University of London, and holds an MSc in energy from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, specialising in batteries and fuel cells. She speaks English, French, Latvian and Russian, and loves swimming, reading and travelling in her spare time – as well as good red wine (with emphasis on oenology, not drinking, of