Stanley Semelane
Johannesburg
Summary
Dynamic Senior Manager with extensive expertise in stakeholder engagement and sustainability initiatives at Sasol. Demonstrates a proven track record in policy advocacy and corporate strategy development, backed by exceptional interpersonal skills. Skilled in financial modeling and adept at leading cross-functional teams to drive impactful socio-economic outcomes within the energy sector. Committed to advancing sustainable practices that enhance organizational effectiveness and community benefits.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager: Stakeholder Relations Socio-Economic and Mining
Sasol
01.2025 - Current
- Develop and implement stakeholder relations and engagement strategy for Sasol Socio-economic and mining initiatives.
- Mining sector policy advocacy and SLP project implementation coordination.
- Lead Sasol Mining permit and authorisation application advocacy.
- Ideation and implementation of Sasol Foundation CSI projects.
- Project monitoring and reporting to the executive and the Sasol Foundation Board
Employment Equity Employee Representative
Sasol Limited
Johannesburg
01.2024 - Current
- Analysed current human resource systems and recommended actions required to meet Sasol's EE targets.
- Conferred with management to develop or implement personnel policies or procedures to absorb talent and implement succession planning.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws pertaining to labour relations issues.
- Established effective communication channels between management and staff members.
- Maintained current knowledge of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action guidelines and laws.
Head Stakeholder Relations ESG & Sustainability
Sasol Limited
11.2021 - 12.2024
- Government relations and stakeholder management strategy development and execution
- Just Transition Thought Leadership and interacting with stakeholders on Sasol's net-zero carbon and low carbon future
- Response to NGOs and NPOs memorandum of demand on climate change related issues
- Communicating Sasol's position on environmental sustainability issues
- Stakeholder management and sustainability reports development
- Facilitation of licencing and permitting applications with national departments such as DFFE, DWS, DMRE, DTIC, etc.
- Relationship management with business and industry associations, regulatory groups, governments, academia, environmental groups, consumer groups, advocacy groups, medical/health associations, and community groups.
Research Group Leader: Energy Industries and Climate Change
CSIR
09.2019 - 10.2021
- Responsible for developing the research group strategy
- Financial sustainability, revenue generation for the research group and budget management.
- Responsible for research and development outputs of the group as well as the socio-economic impact of the research conducted
- Thought leaders in the South African energy transition analysis to a low carbon economy.
- Project management and developmental impact analysis of investments in the South African energy sector.
- Economic Development and Socio-economic analysis for local content value chains and production patterns across the energy sector and modelling.
Alternate Board Member
South African Wind Energy Association
Cape Town
10.2018 - 12.2019
- Maintained knowledge of wind energy industry developments through research or attendance at conferences or seminars.
- Provided strategic guidance on wind energy adoption, advocacy, and branding efforts to enhance public awareness and support.
- Developed and implemented policies to ensure wind energy industry compliance.
- Monitored and evaluated the performance of the CEO and other senior management, providing feedback and direction.
- Drove revenue by cultivating successful SAWEA client and membership relations.
Senior Researcher: Climate Change and Energy Industries
CSIR Energy Centre
10.2017 - 08.2019
- Stakeholder engagement
- Climate change finance
- Modelling climate change impact cost
- Energy industry development research
- Energy project management and feasibility studies development
- Proposal and business leads development
- Multi research across various research groups.
- Techno-economics and financial modelling development for all the CSIR Energy Centre projects.
- Jobs and economic impact modelling using the JEDI Model
- Developmental impact analysis of investments in the renewable energy sector
- Localisation (Local Content) analysis in the renewable energy value chains and production patterns across the renewable energy sector.
- Development of industries roadmap targeted at local manufacturing opportunities linked to job creation, social transformation of the energy sector and skills development.
- Energy transition analysis to a low carbon economy
Deputy Director: Sustainable Energy
Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs & Tourism
09.2014 - 09.2017
- Facilitate the implementation of the Provincial Sustainable Energy Strategy
- Facilitate research in support of Sustainable Energy Sector Coordination and Development
- Facilitate and provide technical and institutional support to relevant provincial and municipal structures and agencies and related projects in the field of sustainable energy
- Facilitate the coordination of the Sustainable Energy Sector in the Eastern Cape
- Input on the MEC's Speeches on energy developments
- Operational plan implementation and ensuring targets are met.
- Energy Unit quarterly reporting & portfolio evidence coordination for Auditor General Purposes
Economic Analyst: Electricity Tariffs
NERSA
03.2013 - 08.2014
- Develop Economic Regulation Methodologies for the determination of the revenue requirements of the regulated entities in line with the overall regulatory objectives of NERSA and government policy
- Determine adequate revenues to be awarded to regulated entities using the regulation methodologies
- Develop and assess tariff structures for various suppliers to ensure that these are in line with the international best practice
- Provide quality check of the municipal tariff evaluation by analysts before a review and approval by HOD for submission to the Energy Regulator
- Calculating the Eskom cost of capital on Eskom MYPD3 requirement
Carbon Manager
TS International
11.2011 - 12.2012
- Climate change carbon reduction management under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- CDM Project development and carbon emissions auditing
- Development of the Southern African Solar Energy Program under the UNFCCC rules and methodologies.
- Environment and Social Impact Assessment as part of the climate change project implementation.
- Electricity revenue forecasts (Levelised Cost of Electricity) from CDM projects
- Undertaking the CDM validation process with Designated National Authority (DNA) auditors according to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol)
- Financial Modelling and Economic Analysis
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Developer
Central Energy Fund
03.2008 - 10.2011
- Clean energy projects financial modelling development
- Investment appraisal analysis
- Advisory on Policy Milestones: UNFCCC, IPCC, Kyoto Protocol, Marrakesh Accords and other COP/MOP Decisions
- Investment appraisals for Clean Development Mechanism Projects, climate finance, stakeholder inclusion, socio and environmental impacts assessments
Education
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE - ECONOMICS
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - ENERGY STUDIES (HONOURS)
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
MASTER OF SCIENCE - ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF WITWATERSRAND
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - ENERGY STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Skills
- Sustainability and ESG
- Corporate strategy development
- Policy and regulation advocacy
- Strong interpersonal & communication skills
- Stakeholder engagement strategy development and management
- MS Office Suite
- Financial modelling
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Problem Solving
- Leadership
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Excellent Organizational skills
- Poised under pressure
References
- Dr. Phindile Masangane, Chief Executive Officer, Petroleum Agency South Africa, +27(0)10 201 4744, +27(0)82 644 3641, Phindilem@cefgroup.co.za
- Mr. Alistair McMaster, Chief Director - Sustainable Energy, DEDEAT, +27(0)43 707 4091, +27(0)82 469 8118, Alistair.McMaster@dedea.gov.za
- Mr. Xolisa Ngwadla, Executive Manager Business Development and Commercialisation, CSIR, +27(0)12 841 3645, +27(0)82 045 8176, XNgwadla@csir.co.za
Timeline
Senior Manager: Stakeholder Relations Socio-Economic and Mining
Sasol
01.2025 - Current
Employment Equity Employee Representative
Sasol Limited
01.2024 - Current
Head Stakeholder Relations ESG & Sustainability
Sasol Limited
11.2021 - 12.2024
Research Group Leader: Energy Industries and Climate Change
CSIR
09.2019 - 10.2021
Alternate Board Member
South African Wind Energy Association
10.2018 - 12.2019
Senior Researcher: Climate Change and Energy Industries
CSIR Energy Centre
10.2017 - 08.2019
Deputy Director: Sustainable Energy
Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs & Tourism
09.2014 - 09.2017
Economic Analyst: Electricity Tariffs
NERSA
03.2013 - 08.2014
Carbon Manager
TS International
11.2011 - 12.2012
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Developer
Central Energy Fund
03.2008 - 10.2011
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE - ECONOMICS
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - ENERGY STUDIES (HONOURS)
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
MASTER OF SCIENCE - ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF WITWATERSRAND
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - ENERGY STUDIES
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
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