CAPE TOWN CLIMATE WEEK 2023: A WEEK OF CREATING PATHWAYS FOR SYSTEM CHANGE
2 October 2023
Cape Town Climate Week 2023 concluded successfully, achieving its mission to raise awareness about the urgent climate crisis and its intersection with socio-political injustices while emphasizing system change as the solution. This week-long event, initiated by African Climate Alliance and held from September 18th to 22nd, ahead of Heritage Day, brought together diverse stakeholders and showcased innovative solutions across five thematic areas: Transport, Energy and Water, Food, Finance, and Artivism.
The five thematic areas of Cape Town Climate Week 2023 reflected the complex and multifaceted nature of the climate crisis in South Africa, considering the unique socio-economic and cultural context of the country.
Throughout the week, Cape Town Climate Week 2023 featured a series of engaging events aimed at fostering dialogue, collaboration, and dynamic action between partner organisations, community members, and citizens from across the greater city.
“We really saw solidarity, collaboration and a strengthening of eagerness to call for justice and change in the different ways that we can,” says Gabriel Klaasen, Programme Manager at African Climate Alliance.
These are some of the highlights:
Let’s Pedal for System Change & Reimagining Our Public Transport System
On Monday, 18 September, a group awareness-raising cycle from Bertha House to Langa was held in collaboration with Langa Bicycle Hub. Around 20 cyclists joined in the cycle despite the rainy weather. The cycle was followed by a discussion on public transport for system change. Participants shared about the need for spatial justice and re-imagining the way we experience and move around the city. The group was also joined by Notiswa Libala from the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership to discuss how the City of Cape Town can partner with Civil Society Organisations on the rollout of the city’s Climate Action Plan.
Afterwards, back at Bertha House, a transformative workshop was held to address the role of public transport in intersectional justice, in collaboration with Unite Behind. Commuters shared their struggles around our current unsafe and dysfunctional transport system while discussing potential solutions that can happen at a community and government level.
Energy and Water Justice Workshops
On Tuesday, 19 September, two exciting workshops were held at the Isivivana Centre in Khayelitsha, in collaboration with Project 90 by 2030 and the Environmental Monitoring Group. The room was filled with a truly intergenerational group of engaged citizens who shared so honestly about their lived experiences and the steps they are taking to create positive impacts — for themselves and their communities when it comes to issues of water and energy.
Food Gardening & Forests for System Change
On Wednesday, 20 September, it was time to get our hands dirty. The day was spent planting a food garden and a food forest at two locations in Elsies River with Mzanzi Organics, Feed the Future for Life, and many community members.
Planting was one part of the day, but another important element of the day was the conversations that were sparked. These conversations were inspired by a few short animated films screened by VUMA Pop-Up Cinema, reminding participants why it’s so important to take care of the world and the people around us. Later in the day while planting a food forest, a discussion on why food justice is climate justice was had — and why these systemic issues can’t be separated.
Unleashing Creativity for Climate Action
Also, on Wednesday, 20 September, an in-person panel discussion at Kaya Café was held on how advertising creatives and climate activists can collaborate, featuring the announcement of the winning work of the Creative Cleanup 2023 Schools Challenge.
Terrible Twins: Finance and Fossil Fuels
On Thursday, 21 September, a panel discussion was held online, exploring how the financial sector contributes to the climate crisis and what individuals can do about it, in collaboration with Fossil Free South Africa, Just Share, and the Fair Finance Coalition. The conversation uncovered the relationship between fossil fuels and the finance industry – and how shareholder activism, divestment, and responsible investment are challenging the status quo.
Artivism for Intersectional Justice
On Friday, 22 September, Climate Lounge presented a fully booked workshop at Bertha House on using various forms of art for resistance, movement building, collaboration, and healing. Participants danced, made music, watched films, and walked away with a deeper understanding of how we can use different artistic mediums to strengthen our movements and messages for justice and change.
Activist Café
On Friday evening, a fun Activist Gathering at Bertha House celebrated the close of Cape Town Climate Week, in collaboration with Bertha House and all Climate Week partners. Led by the African Climate Alliance, activists reflected on the week, networked together, and forecasted how to continue to create pathways for system change together!
Cape Town Climate Week 2023 succeeded in uniting voices and ideas to address the climate crisis and the associated issues surrounding it.
“There is a growing community of people who are not only calling but acting for the change we seek,” says Mitchelle Mhaka, Programme Manager at African Climate Alliance, “This week really showed that people are hungry for change and are willing to go out and get it.”
As we reflect on this impactful event, African Climate Alliance and partners remain committed to continued action, dialogue, and collaboration to create a more sustainable and just future — and we hope our decision-makers will follow suit.
Images: ‘Unleashing Creativity for Climate Justice’ photos by James Granelli, all other photos by The Dollie House
