The University of the Free State (UFS) will play a leading role in strengthening local government capacity for climate transition after a UFS-led consortium secured a R10 million grant from UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions).
The consortium is led by Prof Hlamalani Ngwenya, Head of the Research Chair in Communication for Innovation at the UFS, and Dr Anathi Makamane, Lecturer in Agricultural Extension in the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development. UK PACT is a flagship programme within the United Kingdom’s International Climate Finance (ICF) portfolio and is jointly governed and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
The grant agreement was officially signed on 18 December 2025, marking the start of a 12-month project titled Domestication of the Climate Change Act and Climate Finance Readiness in the Free State and Ba-Phalaborwa.
Fast-tracking the Climate Change Act at local level
According to Prof Ngwenya, the project presents a rare opportunity to accelerate the implementation of South Africa’s Climate Change Act at the municipal level.
“Normally, it takes years for a national act to meaningfully trickle down to the local level. The Climate Change Act was only enacted in 2024, and this project offers a strategic opportunity for the UFS to fast-track its domestication,” she said. “It positions the two participating municipalities to be among the first in South Africa to operationalise the act, placing local government at the forefront of climate legislation implementation rather than at the end of the pipeline.”
The project aims to equip municipalities with the tools, skills, and systems required to translate the Climate Change Act into practical, community-level action. Key components include stakeholder mobilisation, readiness assessments, customised technical assistance, competency-based capacity building, climate finance training, and innovative public policy communication through theatre and community radio.
A strategic, multidisciplinary consortium
The initiative brings together a consortium selected for its complementary expertise and comparative advantage. Led by the UFS, the partners include the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), led by Dr Tshilidzi Madzivhandila; the Centre for Municipal Research and Advice (CMRA), led by Eve Chavalala; the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), represented by Dr Kristin Davis; and the University of Venda (UniVen), represented by Prof Jethro Zuwarinwe.
Prof Johan van Niekerk, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS, said the project highlights the value of cross-sector collaboration.
“This project demonstrates the power of collaboration between academia, government, and civil society. By combining global expertise with local knowledge, we are building climate-resilient, future-ready municipalities,” he said.
Within the UFS, the project draws on expertise across multiple departments, underscoring the institution’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. Prof Jan Swanepoel, Dr Herkulaas Combrink, Dr Harlan Cloete, and Kgomotso Mathlakoane will support project delivery.
Two municipalities, shared learning
The project will be implemented in two municipalities with contrasting but complementary economic contexts. Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State – a former mining area that has diversified into agriculture – offers important lessons in adaptation and economic reinvention. Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality in Limpopo represents a mining-based economy facing the pressures associated with South Africa’s transition to low-carbon development.
Through proactive planning, economic diversification, and inclusive development strategies, the project aims to support communities in navigating this transition without leaving anyone behind. A structured cross-learning system will enable the two municipalities to learn from each other’s experiences, strengths, and challenges.
People-centred climate transition
Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) forms a central pillar of the initiative, ensuring that women, youth, and people with disabilities are active participants and beneficiaries of the climate transition.
The project will also integrate AI-powered tools, including data dashboards, climate risk mapping, and decision-support systems, to enhance municipal planning and implementation.
Positive response from local government
During a virtual kick-off meeting with both municipalities, leaders from Matjhabeng and Ba-Phalaborwa expressed strong support for the initiative. They noted that the lessons generated through the project will not only strengthen their own systems but could also provide a scalable model for other municipalities across South Africa seeking to implement the Climate Change Act effectively.
Acknowledging behind-the-scenes support
Prof Ngwenya also acknowledged the contributions of teams whose work often remains behind the scenes.
“When working on proposals of this nature, the names of consortium partners are visible, but there are teams whose significant efforts remain largely unseen,” she said. “In addition to our implementing partners, I would like to sincerely thank the UFS Directorate Research Development (DRD), Legal Services, and the Finance team, who worked tirelessly under very tight deadlines. This project would not have happened without their support.”