In a short month, ED Platform, a leading Economic Development (ED) advisory firm, specialising in advisory into the renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure space, will celebrate a decade of operations, or more aptly put – a decade of economic development beyond compliance.

As we approach this milestone, says ED Platform Head of Strategy & Growth Maloba G Tshehla, “we are bravely excited about the future ahead, not just for ourselves as a company, but for the multitude of clients we serve, but most especially for the impact that the projects we work on bring, to the ordinary South African.” Tshehla notes that the company’s ability to weather the storms over a decade (and a pandemic) is testament “to the incredible humans that form #TeamEDP! A diverse range of experts, expertise, experience, and abilities that coalesce into a team able to deliver value, insight, and confidence to clients in the very important rollout of renewable energy”. Here’s to celebrating talent and #ADecadeOfEDP!

Mark Smith, CA (SA) – newly appointed CFO and Head of Audit

On his new home: “Having worked in the renewable energy industry for the last ten years, I am extremely happy and proud to find myself heading up the finance and audit operations of ED Platform. Being part of a team that is capable of banding together, moving mountains and having a smile on our faces whilst we do it, is a shared commonality across ED Platform that helps me thrive, and makes me feel as though I found my home. It is incredibly exciting to be part of a company and a team that specialises in making a real difference. It’s really encouraging to see commercial goals aligning with positive impactful change, from grass roots to the board room table. The mutual shared vision of a whole organisation is often a scarcity in modern business.”

On the company’s role in the market and the just energy transition: “ED Platform plays a key role in the transition to a cleaner, more equitable and just energy future. Environment Social Governance (ESG) considerations are becoming more prominent not only in the finance and development space but is also featuring heavily in the mainstream strategic business decision making. ED Platform is the market leader in driving quantifiable and real economic development through commercial optimisation of economic development benefits and their delivery to localities. I believe that corporate responsibility aligned with commercial goals and strategies will be the key to business longevity going forward. ED Platform’s well established track record and experience makes for the perfect pairing in helping organisations and businesses refine, develop, and achieve this alignment as soon as possible”

Smith’s crystal ball says: “The world has woken up to the stark realities of climate change, now interlaced with ongoing economic and social inequalities and therefore the need for a more responsible approach to investing and doing business. There is no doubt that the fundamental principles of ESG have cemented a permanent foothold in the 21st century business landscape. I believe the shift to renewable energy is accelerating exponentially, largely due to threats to commercial and sovereign energy security or the risks imposed due to over reliance on fossil fuels. I think the energy landscape in the next ten years will be vastly different to what it looks like today, in a very positive way. The journey is going to be incredibly exciting!”

To ED Platform in 2032: “Keep doing what you are doing! Core principles, a strong work ethic and belief in that you are doing something that matters, are fundamentals that are as important now as they were before and will be equally important in the future.”

Keneilwe Mohlala – newly promoted Principal - Audit

On her new home: “Having decided to make a complete shift in my career by leaving a comfortable job to expand and stretch myself and pursue a career that aligned with my qualifications, I am excited that now I can combine all the disciplines in my career in all their differences and working alongside an amazing team. EDP has become a light bulb moment and a space for my dreams to be realised.”

On the company’s role in society: “Economic Development remains a key area of importance in a country where the distribution of wealth is topical due to our high Gini-coefficient. In my view, energy, and more specifically clean energy, will be a key driver of growth in the foreseeable future. As an economist by training, my goal is to influence the distribution of wealth positively and sustainably in high growth areas such as clean energy. ED Platform is playing a critical role in ensuring that our clients and the sector go beyond compliance.”

Mohlala’s crystal ball says: “…renewable energy and the wider infrastructure sector will be led by the private sector, and it is yet to become the largest contributor to ED in South Africa. It is the next best thing for communities where energy infrastructure projects will develop.”

What excites Mohlala in her new role: “Seeing different, exciting aspects of the organisation. Externally with regard to our advisory to clients, it is a joy to engage with different stakeholders, shaping ED from project compilation through to operations. Internally I enjoy being part of the change and growth that EDP is going through, a very exciting space to participate in daily.”

To ED Platform in 2032: “Thank you! For the development, for the growth, and for your contribution to the change and development of South African communities and the impact you leave behind that will run for generations to come. You have done well, and you are doing great. To achieving economic development beyond compliance!”

Nompumelelo Skosana – newly promoted Manager - Reporting

On her journey thus far: “Always being willing to learn, working well with others, respect and humility have taken me this far, and I’ve found resonance in a similar culture at ED Platform, and look forward to contributing more to it and growing it.”

On the company’s role to clients: “Our biggest value-add to clients is being able to provide them with solutions that enable them to not only comply with ED requirements but to drive real economic change beyond compliance and measurable impact in the communities they operate in – adding to inclusive economic growth in the wider national economy. ED Platform can share its in-depth and wide experience as ED experts providing a wide range of advisory services to its clients.”

Skosana’s crystal ball says: “…South Africa and Africa at large are very well placed to transition to more renewable energy as technology prices continue to decrease and the continent can attract more investment towards it’s just energy transition. The development of large-scale infrastructure such as renewables presents unique opportunities, especially for developing economies, to drive inclusive economic growth. I foresee acceleration in technological innovation in the renewable energy industry as well as investments in local manufacturing and new businesses unlocked by this just transition.”

What excites Skosana in her new role: “Working at ED Platform provides the opportunity for constant learning, providing services to a fairly new and developing industry means having to keep up to date with the developments and trends in the industry. This is both challenging and very exciting – it also also means that I get to grow with the industry and can play a significant role in shaping its success and outcomes.”

To ED Platform in 2032: “Dear ED Platform – well done on playing such a significant role in ensuring that infrastructure projects were able to contribute meaningfully to the inclusive economic growth of South Africa. As a result of your work South Africa is in the process of successfully transitioning to clean energy, while providing more opportunities to citizens and members of local communities across the length and breadth of the country.”