Progressive Practice Podcast

In this episode, we chat with Megan Davies, a researcher and lecturer at the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition (CST) at Stellenbosch University. Megan walks us through her thoughts and research into the energy landscape and ongoing energy transition. Her inquiring mind shines through, and she leaves us with some bold questions about the role of Renewable Energy in creating a more equitable society. 

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In this episode, we chat with Peter Westoby, a practitioner and researcher of community development. Peter takes us through his career in the field and what it means to fully engage in community development. He questions how practitioners can commit to the practice and offers insightful perspectives on the traditions and approaches used in community development. 

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In this episode, we chat with Alison McCallum, whose social science training helps her make sense of the social performance work that she does in the energy sector. She approaches the complexities of this work through a lens of humanness, and how we relate to each other as a society. Alison encourages practitioners in the industry to question how we develop the tools to best achieve change. 

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In this episode, we chat with Bianca Jordan, who describes how she navigates her role as a young Economic Development (ED) manager of a Renewable Energy Company. Bianca's passion for community development and motivation to be part of an evolving professional practice is clear. She describes the many roles she plays and gets candid about some of her thoughts and practice approaches. 

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In this episode, we chat with Masechaba Mabilu who expresses how policies and processes in the Renewable Energy (RE) industry can make or break progress in community development. She describes her understanding of sustainability, which draws on her experiences in a wide range of sectors. Masechaba has come to question how community development can create real and material value for people, and she is dedicated to responding to this through her work in social performance. 

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In this episode, we chat with Thulisile Dlamini who describes her work at the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO). Thuli, very clearly, takes us through the community development side of the REIPPPP, which is the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme. She sheds light on how policy and practice can help each other achieve effective community development, and be a real force for change.  

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Trailer: An introduction to the six-episode series on social performance at the core of the energy transition. This season is funded by the TENTRANS project: Tendering Sustainable Energy Transitions.

This podcast was produced by the South African lead researchers: