WATCH: City Power hosts the 2025 schools EEDSM awards ceremony

City Power (CP) marked two milestones in its drive towards a sustainable energy future by celebrating the winners of the 2025 Schools’ Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) competition and launching the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the CoJ municipal buildings.

The event, hosted on August 13 at CP’s headquarters, was officiated by CP CEO Tshifularo Mashava. It brought together learners, teachers, municipal officials and energy officials from the CoJ to celebrate education-driven climate action.

The competition is a national initiative implemented by CP in collaboration with the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), and funded through the EEDSM grant programme. It is designed to promote a just and sustainable energy transition by fostering awareness, innovation and environmental stewardship among high school learners.

Mashava praised the young participants, emphasising that the event represented a commitment to provide the resources, mentorship and platforms needed for their innovations to thrive, alongside the CoJ supporting them every step of the way.

@southern.courierThe event, hosted on August 13 at CP’s headquarters, was officiated by CP CEO Tshifularo Mashava. It brought together learners, teachers, municipal officials and energy officials from the CoJ to celebrate education-driven climate action.♬ original sound – Southern Courier

“CP is about keeping the lights on for our people, and also for the progress of society. The progress of society is guaranteed with the brilliant minds in this room. We’ve seen that the future is in the hands of our youth. The submissions we received exceeded our expectations. Our responsibility is to nurture and support young minds, ensuring that the inspiration they showed here doesn’t end today,” said Mashava.

“We also congratulate and celebrate young girls entering the energy space. All it takes is the mindset to say, ‘I can be wherever I want to be’, especially as we observe Women’s Month. Today is not just about the event or the competition; it’s about our ongoing commitment to supporting these young minds. We will be calling on businesses to support future initiatives like this one. These learners are not just future leaders; they are already innovators shaping how our city uses and saves energy. Their work proves that climate action starts in our classrooms and can inspire change in our communities,” added Mashava.

This year’s competition engaged 19 schools across Johannesburg. The learners competed in three practical and creative categories, including poster design to showcase renewable energy and energy-saving ideas, short videos promoting efficiency at home and school, and prototype models demonstrating innovative, often recycled, energy-saving solutions.

Sgodiphola Secondary School clinched first place, winning R35 000 for their cost-effective solar water heating model.

Seanamarena High School’s household energy conservation video came second, winning R25 000. Jabulani Technical High School’s automated classroom lighting system was third, winning R15 000.

The competition will be expanded to integrate with key platforms, such as the 2025 Energy Indaba youth internship programmes. It will ensure that winning ideas are widely shared and young innovators are supported in their careers.

While accepting his award, Lesedi Mokone from Jabulani Technical High School said he was honoured to be part of the competition, as he has always been curious about fixing things around the house and pursuing innovation.

@southern.courierWhile accepting his award, Lesedi Mokone from Jabulani Technical High School said he was honoured to be part of the competition, as he has always been curious about fixing things around the house and pursuing innovation. “Thank you to CP for this opportunity. It is my dream to become an electrical engineer, a passion I’ve had from a young age. I was always curious and wanted to fix things around the house. During load-shedding, I would think that if I were an electrical engineer, and companies listened to us as people, we could find solutions to these problems,” said Mokone.♬ original sound – Southern Courier

“Thank you to CP for this opportunity. It is my dream to become an electrical engineer, a passion I’ve had from a young age. I was always curious and wanted to fix things around the house. During load-shedding, I would think that if I were an electrical engineer, and companies listened to us as people, we could find solutions to these problems,” said Mokone.

EPCs for the municipal buildings

During the ceremony, CP unveiled its newly issued EPC and 28 additional EPCs for municipal buildings, now certified under the national Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of the EPC for Buildings.

@southern.courierEPCs for the municipal buildings During the ceremony, CP unveiled its newly issued EPC and 28 additional EPCs for municipal buildings, now certified under the national Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of the EPC for Buildings.♬ original sound – Southern Courier

“The Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD), in partnership with CP, has led efforts to ensure the CoJ complies with the Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of Energy Performance Certificates for buildings. These national regulations require qualifying non-residential buildings to display an EPC, which rates a building’s energy efficiency based on 12 months of consumption. EPCs serve as a tool for transparency, accountability and long-term energy savings,” said Olga Chauke, the EISD head of energy at the CoJ.

“Achieving EPC compliance is about more than meeting regulations. It is a statement that Joburg is serious about transparency, energy efficiency and climate resilience. Our leadership in this space sets the tone for other municipalities and the private sector,” added Chauke.