The Mobilize Podcast

Who’s Really Protecting South Africa’s Water?

In a country where 43% of school water samples are unsafe to drink, and billions are lost to corruption and neglect, who’s standing up for our right to clean water? In this episode, we speak to WaterCAN, the citizen movement fighting for transparency, accountability and justice in South Africa’s water system. From citizen science to activism, this is a conversation about turning outrage into action, and building a future where every person, every community, has access to safe, clean water. 💬 About the Guests: Dr Ferrial Adam - Executive Director of WaterCAN | Environmental Justice & Human Rights Advocate. With a PhD on Citizen Science and Environmental Justice in South Africa’s Water Sector, Dr Adam has worked with leading organisations like Earthlife Africa and Greenpeace Africa. She’s dedicated to empowering citizens to hold power to account and protect our most vital resource — water. 📧 ferrial.adam@watercan.org.za [ferrial.adam@watercan.org.za] Nomsa Daele - Senior Team Leader at WaterCAN Passionate about citizen empowerment and community-driven monitoring, Nomsa plays a vital role in coordinating WaterCAN’s school testing and citizen science initiatives. 📧 nomsa.daele@watercan.org.za [nomsa.daele@watercan.org.za] 🎙️ In this episode, we cover: * Why South Africa’s water crisis is about governance and justice, not just scarcity * How citizen-led water testing is exposing unsafe conditions in schools and communities * The impact of corruption on infrastructure, safety, and public health * Stories of grassroots water warriors making change from the ground up * How to get involved and become part of the movement Learn More: http://www.watercan.org.za/ [http://www.watercan.org.za/] TikTok - @watercansa4 IG - @watercan_za X - @watercan Facebook - @watercan LinkedIn - @watercan-south-africa YouTube - @watercan6249

The Case for Universal Basic Income in South Africa

What would South Africa look like if everyone had a guaranteed income; no red tape, no exclusions, no one left behind? In this episode, we sit down with Siyanda Baduza, Junior Researcher at the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ), to unpack the fight for Universal Basic Income (UBI); what it really means, how it could work, and why it’s about more than just money. From the broken Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant system to bold ideas for a fairer economy, Siyanda breaks down the research, myths, and real human stories behind South Africa’s push for income justice. In this episode, we cover: - Why the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant isn’t enough, and who’s being left out - What a Universal Basic Income could look like in South Africa - How UBI could reduce poverty, boost the economy, and support a just transition - Myths about “affordability” and why the real question is political will - What it means to guarantee dignity and income security for all Learn more: - What a South Africa with Basic Income Could Look Like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pcZQSnyCyE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pcZQSnyCyE] - UBI Explainer Blog: https://iej.org.za/a-system-that-lifts-everyone-up-universal-basic-income/ [https://iej.org.za/a-system-that-lifts-everyone-up-universal-basic-income/] - SRD Court Case Statement & Policy Brief: https://iej.org.za/statement-historic-judgment-in-srd-grant-court-case-stands-to-benefit-half-of-south-africas-population/- [https://iej.org.za/statement-historic-judgment-in-srd-grant-court-case-stands-to-benefit-half-of-south-africas-population/-] https://www.iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IEJ-SRD-court-case-policy-brief.pdf [https://www.iej.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IEJ-SRD-court-case-policy-brief.pdf] - UBI & Climate Factsheet: https://iej.org.za/ubig-factsheet-10_how-a-ubig-can-support-a-just-energy-transition_jet/ [https://iej.org.za/ubig-factsheet-10_how-a-ubig-can-support-a-just-energy-transition_jet/] - Q&A with Siyanda on Basic Income: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTTkILtDOtQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTTkILtDOtQ]

Climate Finance, No Cash to Fix the Climate?

In this episode of The Mobilize Podcast, we sit down with Kirsten Pierson from the South African Institute of International Affairs to unpack climate finance, just transitions, and the urgent need for real support at COP30 and G20. From debt justice to fossil fuel taxes, we explore how money shapes the fight for climate action in the Global South. Guest: Kirsten Pierson - Researcher, South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) Want to learn more? https://saiia.org.za/ [https://saiia.org.za/] Key takeaways: - Climate change is already costing lives, jobs, and economies. - Finance is central to building a just transition. - Debt justice and fossil fuel taxes are on the table at COP30. - The Global South cannot afford more delay; real action must be funded now.

The Mobilize Podcast Ep. 5 - From Coal to Renewables and the Real Cost

In this episode, Joan Stott joins us from the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) [https://www.iej.org.za] to delve into South Africa's pivotal journey from coal dependency to embracing renewable energy, and how on earth we're going to pay for it. Together, we explore the real costs, challenges, and choices facing our country's path to unlocking the finances we need to afford a greener future. Listen in as we uncover the contested roles of international funders, policy-makers, community members, and our collective advocacy. Guest: Joan Stott: Senior researcher at the Institute for Economic Justice, with extensive experience in public finance, economic policy, and institutional capacity-building across Africa. In this episode, we cover: * What climate finance means for South Africa’s just transition * The challenges facing communities most affected by energy shifts * How international partnerships often bring debt obligations * Alternative policies and the role of carbon tax in funding climate response * Why community engagement and advocacy are essential * The link between climate finance and broader economic policy * How collaboration can amplify efforts for a sustainable future Want to learn more? Institute for Economic Justice: https://www.iej.org.za [https://www.iej.org.za] Key points: * 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06PaGVn4PQ&list=PLy4Vx68rSDPIIPEjBEdEzDxba4HUZl_Fv&index=1] Understanding Climate Finance in South Africa * 05:17 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06PaGVn4PQ&list=PLy4Vx68rSDPIIPEjBEdEzDxba4HUZl_Fv&index=1&t=317s] The Just Transition: Challenges and Opportunities * 12:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06PaGVn4PQ&list=PLy4Vx68rSDPIIPEjBEdEzDxba4HUZl_Fv&index=1&t=725s] Alternative Policies for Climate Finance * 17:58 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06PaGVn4PQ&list=PLy4Vx68rSDPIIPEjBEdEzDxba4HUZl_Fv&index=1&t=1078s] Advocacy and Community Engagement * 26:39 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F06PaGVn4PQ&list=PLy4Vx68rSDPIIPEjBEdEzDxba4HUZl_Fv&index=1&t=1599s] The Interconnectedness of Climate and Economic Policies

The Mobilize Podcast Ep. 6 - Money Talks

In this episode, we dive into the complex world of debt and justice, asking why poorer countries are paying the highest price through soaring interest rates and crippling financial systems. We explore how debt links directly to the climate crisis, and why changing the way we talk about it could shift global understanding and support for justice. Together, we unpack insights from the Money Talks initiative, which looks at how empathy, storytelling, and smarter communication can reshape public perceptions of debt. From the moral weight of repayment to the demand for fairness between rich and poor countries, this conversation sheds light on why debt justice is central to social and climate justice. Guests: • Liz Callegari: Co-founder of Black Sands Communication and co-lead of the Money Talks project, with deep experience in strategic campaigns, including WWF-UK and Netflix’s Our Planet. https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-callegari-0b8365b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-callegari-0b8365b/] • Twan van der Togt: Associate Director at Stack Data Strategy, specialising in cross-national research and turning complex opinion data into strategies for NGOs and campaigners. https://www.linkedin.com/in/twan-van-der-togt-99130b146/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/twan-van-der-togt-99130b146/] • Khaliel Moses: Senior Campaigner for Public Finance at 350.org [http://350.org], driving economic and climate justice across Africa through education, research, and grassroots campaigns. https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaliel-moses-0540b11b0/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/khaliel-moses-0540b11b0/] In this episode, we cover: • Why debt is often described as “a tax on the future” • How everyday experiences shape views on public finance • Why fairness in global interest rates matters • The role of empathy in bridging North–South divides • How framing and storytelling can drive public support for debt relief • The link between debt justice and climate justice • What activists can do to make debt issues resonate with people’s lives Want to learn more? • LSM Calculator: https://www.eighty20.co.za/lsm-calculator/ [https://www.eighty20.co.za/lsm-calculator/] • Money Talks: https://moneytalksresearch.org [https://moneytalksresearch.org] • Black Sands Communication: https://www.blacksands.co.uk [https://www.blacksands.co.uk] • Stack Data Strategy: https://www.stackdatastrategy.com [https://www.stackdatastrategy.com] • 350.org [http://350.org]: https://350africa.org [https://350africa.org]