Dr Rethabile Melamu takes the helm as the newly appointed CEO of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), effective from May 2022, as the association looks to the next decade of solar energy development.
A chemical and environmental engineer by training, Melamu is an internationally recognised thought leader and well known for her expertise in the green economy and green energy sectors. She has leveraged both the theoretical and practical to harness innovative, smart technologies to mitigate the impact of climate change in society, with a dedicated focus on sustainable development in Africa.
Melamu also brings to SAPVIA her on-the-ground experience of developing sub-national energy, green economy and public sector strategies and policies from inception to implementation. She has been recognised as one of the ‘Women in the public sector who are changing South Africa’. Her private and public sector technical and strategic leadership experience is sure to be an asset to SAPVIA as the association charts a path forward to continue growing the solar PV sector’s role in South Africa’s energy future, in collaboration with government, the private sector and other stakeholders.
“As we celebrate a decade of solar energy generation in South Africa, it is fitting that we have at the helm of the association a driven, experienced and powerful advocate for renewable energy. Dr Melamu comes to SAPVIA with an outstanding track record of delivery. She will lead the organisation into a new era of growth, focusing our strategic direction and ensuring that our members capitalise on the local and regional solar markets,” said Wido Schnabel, Chair of SAPVIA.
“Dr Melamu’s experience and insight will ensure that we take SAPVIA and solar PV in South Africa to the next level, developing a culture of thought leadership, leveraging credible market intelligence and developing a best practice solar PV value chain.”
Dr Melamu was most recently General Manager of Green Economy at The Innovation Hub where she managed a portfolio of 40 green economy start-ups which develop and commercialise clean-tech solutions and technologies that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as the creation of employment opportunities.
She was also Acting Chief Director: Sector and Industry Development at the Gauteng Department of Economic Development where she led the development of 11 economic sector strategies aimed at transforming, modernising and re-industrialising the province. In her time at the GDED, Melamu spearheaded engagement with private and public sectors, locally and internationally, to stimulate the growth of the Green Economy in Gauteng.
“I am delighted to take on the role of CEO and I have no doubt that unlocking largely untapped renewable energy capacity can catalyse the implementation of the country’s sustainable development imperatives, invigorate industrial activity, and deliver meaningful socio-economic value to its citizens,” said Melamu.
“As a trusted partner to government, I foresee SAPVIA and key stakeholders increasingly contributing towards the creation of business and regulatory environments that will unlock market opportunities along the solar PV value chain for the benefit of SAPVIA’s members and the broader sector.”
Maloba G Tshehla, SAPVIA Spokesperson, added, “Solar PV should play a leading role in the just transition, not least because it can be adapted and harnessed for individual households across South Africa as well as for large commercial and industrial usage and at any scale in between. Solar PV has the potential to deliver sustainable and secure electricity for all and I am certain, with her experience and energy, Dr Melamu will ensure we realise this in the years ahead.”
SAPVIA is a member-led organisation formed with the purpose of growing the solar PV sector’s role in powering South Africa’s future. The association advocates, engages and influences on behalf of members to harness the power of solar PV and capitalise on the opportunities it offers companies, individuals and the South African economy.
In her role as CEO Dr Melamu will be supported by the SAPVIA MANCO, Secretariat and the wider membership base.
“I value collaborative partnerships. I plan to nurture existing partnerships and foster new ones that will deliver value to our members, the public sector and the country’s citizens. I would like to bolster SAPVIA’s position as the go-to organisation for all matters relating to the development, regulation and promotion of solar PV in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa,” Melamu said.
For more information visit: www.sapvia.co.za
