Closing Statement by Department of Electricity and Electricity, DDG Mr Zizamele Mbambo during the Nuclear Forum Side Event in the Africa Energy Indaba in Cape Town on 5 Mach 2026

Programme Director, Mr Maphoto
Distinguished speakers,
Industry leaders,
International partners,
Ladies and gentlemen,

As we come to the close of today's Nuclear Forum, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to all who have contributed to what has been a highly insightful and productive engagement.

Today's discussions have reinforced an important message: nuclear energy is once again taking its rightful place in the global energy conversation.

Across the world, countries are turning to nuclear energy to address three fundamental challenges simultaneously:

energy security, economic development, and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions.

For South Africa, nuclear energy is not a new journey. It is part of our existing energy architecture, and it will remain an important component of our future energy mix.

Throughout today's programme, several key themes have emerged.

First, the global momentum behind nuclear energy is undeniable. We heard from international partners about the expansion of nuclear programmes and the opportunities this presents for collaboration with Africa.

Second, we were reminded that South Africa's nuclear build programme must be approached responsibly and strategically.

This includes ensuring regulatory readiness, financial sustainability, and strong institutional capability.

Third, we have emphasised the importance of localisation and industrial development.

A nuclear programme of this scale must create opportunities for South African businesses, engineers, technicians, and young professionals and communities.

This is not only about building power stations - it is about building an industrial ecosystem.

We have also heard important perspectives on skills development and workforce capacity.

The future of nuclear energy in Africa will depend on our ability to develop the next generation of scientists, engineers, regulators, and operators. Partnerships with institutions, industry, and international partners will be essential to achieving this goal.

Equally important is the advancement of new nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors and advanced reactor designs, which present exciting opportunities for flexibility, scalability, and new applications such as supporting data centres and industrial processes.

Ladies and gentlemen,

A nuclear programme requires long-term vision and disciplined execution. It demands strong governance, robust safety standards, and sustained collaboration between government, industry, academia, international partners and communities.

South Africa has the advantage of decades of nuclear experience, world-class institutions, and a strong regulatory framework. We therefore have a solid foundation upon which to build.

Our task now is to translate policy into implementation, ensuring that nuclear energy contributes meaningfully to our national development objectives and to the stability of our electricity system.

Allow me also to extend my appreciation to all the organisations that participated today - from our state-owned entities and regulators to industry partners, technology vendors, financiers, and researchers.

Your contributions are essential as we collectively shape the future of nuclear energy in South Africa and on the African continent.

Finally, I would like to thank the organisers of the Nuclear Forum and the Africa Energy Indaba for creating this important platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

Let us leave here today with a renewed commitment to partnership, innovation, and responsible energy development.

Together, we can ensure that nuclear energy continues to play a vital role in delivering secure, sustainable, and affordable electricity for South Africa and for Africa.

Thank you.