James Mackay: Lighting the Future of South Africa’s Energy Transition 

South Africa’s energy transition is less a shift of technology than a rewriting of possibility. It carries the weight of repairing the past while powering the future, demanding choices that affect every household, every business, and every dream tied to growth. The stakes are immense, with trillions in investment needed and the promise of an economy reshaped through resilience, competitiveness, and inclusion. At its core, this transition is not only about keeping the lights on but about ensuring the country shines brighter than it ever has. 

James Mackay stands as one of the central figures guiding this transformation. As Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Council of South Africa, he brings together business leaders, investors, and policymakers to align ambition with action.  

Powering Pathways for a New Generation 

James recalls the excitement of starting his first job as a young engineer and the sense of possibility it created for his career. He reflects on how different the situation feels for many young people today who face fear and uncertainty about finding work and building careers. With more than a decade of just one percent GDP growth on average, South Africa has experienced record-high unemployment, which he describes as a travesty. Although the country’s economic outlook is beginning to improve, James believes progress is still far too slow. He stresses that government must prioritize building business confidence to unlock investment, drive job creation, and open opportunities for youth to participate meaningfully in the economy. 

For James, this is where the role of the Energy Council carries so much weight. Energy is a fundamental driver of economic growth and the energy transition represents the largest investment and infrastructure build in South Africa’s history. As the convenor of business within the energy sector, the Energy Council unites corporates, investors, and decision-makers to create conditions that support growth. It provides a platform where businesses can contribute solutions, showcase opportunities, and work alongside government to rebuild confidence in the country’s energy transition. 

A Vision of Recovery and Renewal 

James shares his mixed feelings about Johannesburg. He acknowledges the frustration of failing infrastructure, poor service delivery, and heavy traffic. At the same time, he is energized by the city’s fast pace, its spirit, its people, and its weather. He sees Johannesburg as a place where opportunities can be carved out even in the most difficult conditions, a reality that mirrors the national energy transition. While South Africa faces major challenges, he emphasizes that the potential is even greater. 

For James, the energy transition presents a chance to reimagine the system into one that is more reliable, competitive, and inclusive through grid expansion and market reform. Leading this effort through the Energy Council means fostering collaboration between business and government to demonstrate that progress is achievable even in difficult circumstances. He adds that the same spirit of collaboration and renewal should be reflected in Johannesburg’s political and civic leadership. Stable politics and stronger local government, he believes, will allow the city to recover its potential as a truly world-class city. 

The Quiet Trials Behind Visible Triumphs 

James speaks candidly about the resilience and focus required in any entrepreneurial journey. He has deep admiration for entrepreneurs, noting that their setbacks and failures often remain hidden from view. Although his own career has been shaped within corporate environments, he describes building the Energy Council from a concept into a high-impact energy organization as his greatest career challenge and most rewarding achievement. 

He often likens the experience to “building the plane as we fly,” a reflection of the constant adaptation and creativity required during the process. Through resilience, focus, and collaboration with his team, members, and partners, James has helped position the Energy Council as a driving force in South Africa’s just energy transition. The knowledge that this work contributes to improving lives every day continues to inspire him and strengthen his commitment to the mission. 

Energising South Africa’s Future 

James explains that his resilience and focus stem from a strong sense of purpose. The Energy Council, he notes, holds a unique mandate that brings together all role players and perspectives while tackling the challenge of delivering the largest infrastructure build in South Africa’s history. With over R2 trillion required in the next decade, this investment has the power to reshape the nation’s economic outlook. 

He highlights how the recovery from loadshedding and progress in sector reform have already proven what can be achieved collectively. For James, maintaining this momentum is vital to securing long-term, sustainable growth that benefits all South Africans. This commitment inspired the Energy Council’s launch of the Energise Mzansi national communications campaign. The initiative aims to boost investor confidence by providing transparent, fact-based updates on the energy transition. It creates a platform where the public, industry, and policymakers can access credible information, engage in dialogue, and build trust in South Africa’s ability to deliver. By showcasing opportunities and progress, Energise Mzansi positions the country as an attractive destination for energy investment. 

The Tough City That Breeds Resilience 

James describes Johannesburg as a city defined by diversity. Finance, mining, manufacturing, services, and a growing tech sector all coexist within one urban hub, creating a unique ecosystem where industries intersect and collaboration thrives. This concentration of sectors, he believes, makes Johannesburg unlike any other business environment on the continent. While the city can be a tough place to operate, James views that toughness as part of its strength, fostering resilience and innovation in those who work there. 

The Architecture of Belonging 

For James, cultivating an inclusive and purpose-driven culture begins with clarity. People need to understand what the organization is working toward and why it matters. When the bigger picture is clear, individuals see meaning in their daily efforts and feel connected to the legacy they are helping to build. 

Inclusion, he explains, comes from creating space for diverse perspectives. Some of the best ideas emerge from those closest to challenges, and fostering an environment where people feel heard, respected, and empowered is essential. At the Energy Council, there is no shortage of complex opportunities that stretch individuals and provide hands-on experience. To balance that intensity, James ensures the team environment is connected, with mentoring and networking encouraged as a natural part of the culture. 

He believes that inclusion, growth, and purpose are mutually reinforcing. When people link their contributions to a greater mission, they bring their best selves to work, and that is when organizations thrive. 

Mentorship as a Catalyst for Growth 

James highlights mentorship as one of the most effective ways to build confidence and resilience within a team. He believes in challenging his team to exceed their own expectations by encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones. For him, mentoring is not only about skill development but also about building relationships and exchanging experiences and perspectives that strengthen the collective. 

He adds that mentorship extends beyond the workplace, creating a ripple effect in the broader community. By investing in people and their growth, individuals gain confidence and earn respect, which they in turn give back to their communities. In this way, mentorship becomes both a professional tool and a form of community involvement. 

The Power of a Shared Pledge 

James points to the Business-Government partnership established in 2023 under the President as the most important collaboration he has been part of. This initiative, aimed at economic recovery and inclusive growth, has been backed by strong business support through the CEO Pledge. Within this framework, the Energy Council has taken the lead in driving energy engagement under the Energy Action Plan, as part of the wider partnership managed by Business for South Africa. 

He considers this collaboration between business and government unique and transformative, crediting it with delivering tangible successes that all stakeholders can celebrate. 

Captaining South Africa’s Future 

James often draws on the analogy of a large ship to explain his approach to sustainability and long-term thinking. Just as a ship requires movement for its rudder to be effective, he believes South Africa must create economic momentum quickly to chart a clear direction forward. After what he describes as a lost decade, the nation now requires practical, focused, and deliberate action to recover. 

He emphasizes the importance of experienced leadership, likening it to a skilled captain who plots the course, anticipates weather conditions and storms, and then guides the ship on its journey. With election cycles approaching from mid-next year, James stresses the need to prioritize inclusive economic growth while hoping for the emergence of stable coalition politics and focused leadership to keep South Africa on course. 

Guiding Leaders Beyond Credentials 

James often reflects on the challenges and aspirations of young professionals in Johannesburg. He observes that many are overly focused on collecting academic credentials rather than prioritizing practical experience and network building. While he acknowledges the importance of academic achievement, he emphasizes that true leadership is measured by the ability to mobilize resources, influence decision-makers, and leave a lasting legacy. 

With artificial intelligence increasingly democratizing access to knowledge, James believes that success lies not just in what one knows but in demonstrating the capacity to take action and drive results. For him, leadership requires hard work, consistent self-improvement, and the determination to create positive influence that endures.