The head of the financial task team in charge of establishing South Africa's R145-billion climate deal resigns

South Africa is finalising an implementation plan for a $8.5 billion (R145.4 billion) climate financing agreement with some of the world’s wealthiest countries, despite the resignation of the chairman of the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team, according to a government spokeswoman.

An offer to extend Daniel Mminele’s employment for three months “is on the table,” said Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa, via text message late Thursday.

Mminele resigned when his contract ended at the end of the year, according to Business Day, adding that it was believed that he would continue in the position.

The Just Energy Transition Partnership agreement, launched at the COP27 climate summit in November, aims to reduce South Africa’s dependency on coal.

It is viewed as a model for similar accords with other coal-dependent developing countries.

South Africa signed the deal with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union.

“We remain in constant discussion with the partner countries,” Magwenya said. “The remaining contract staff in the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team will work out the rest of the contract period.”

Magwenya stated that more monies had been collected from contributors to help the plan’s execution.

Mminele is a former South African central bank deputy governor and chief executive officer of a commercial bank.