Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism
@oxpeckersnews.bsky.social
Africa’s first investigative environmental journalism unit
We combine traditional investigative reporting with data analysis and geo-mapping to expose eco-offences and track organised criminal syndicates.
Find us on oxpeckers.org
We combine traditional investigative reporting with data analysis and geo-mapping to expose eco-offences and track organised criminal syndicates.
Find us on oxpeckers.org
⚠️ The human cost of broken promises
When ARTsolar's market collapsed, it wasn't just 1 company that suffered:
- 500+ workers lost their jobs
- Suppliers shut down
- Years of skills development and training erased
Read the full investigation ➡️ bit.ly/47sWc3n
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
When ARTsolar's market collapsed, it wasn't just 1 company that suffered:
- 500+ workers lost their jobs
- Suppliers shut down
- Years of skills development and training erased
Read the full investigation ➡️ bit.ly/47sWc3n
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 8:12 AM
⚠️ The human cost of broken promises
When ARTsolar's market collapsed, it wasn't just 1 company that suffered:
- 500+ workers lost their jobs
- Suppliers shut down
- Years of skills development and training erased
Read the full investigation ➡️ bit.ly/47sWc3n
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
When ARTsolar's market collapsed, it wasn't just 1 company that suffered:
- 500+ workers lost their jobs
- Suppliers shut down
- Years of skills development and training erased
Read the full investigation ➡️ bit.ly/47sWc3n
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
🏭 BREAKING: A Durban solar manufacturer is taking the government and 20 major energy companies to court over alleged violations of local content rules.
Read the full investigation ➡️ bit.ly/47sWc3n
👀 @gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
#RenewableEnergy #SouthAfrica #LocalContent #GreenJobs
Read the full investigation ➡️ bit.ly/47sWc3n
👀 @gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
#RenewableEnergy #SouthAfrica #LocalContent #GreenJobs
Court case tackles not-so-proudly-South African solar power - Oxpeckers
In a landmark High Court challenge, government departments and independent power producers stand accused of flouting localisation laws meant to drive South Africa’s green industrial development.…
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 6:59 AM
🏭 BREAKING: A Durban solar manufacturer is taking the government and 20 major energy companies to court over alleged violations of local content rules.
Read the full investigation ➡️ bit.ly/47sWc3n
👀 @gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
#RenewableEnergy #SouthAfrica #LocalContent #GreenJobs
Read the full investigation ➡️ bit.ly/47sWc3n
👀 @gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
#RenewableEnergy #SouthAfrica #LocalContent #GreenJobs
SA solar milestone 🌞
The Springbok Solar Project (195 MW) near Virginia, Free State, is online ahead of schedule!
💡 100% SA-owned & financed
🌍 Powers ~150 000 homes
🤝 13 buyers
👩🔧 26% women workforce
We’ve tracked it from day 1 via #PowerTracker: bit.ly/4aw6lLf
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
The Springbok Solar Project (195 MW) near Virginia, Free State, is online ahead of schedule!
💡 100% SA-owned & financed
🌍 Powers ~150 000 homes
🤝 13 buyers
👩🔧 26% women workforce
We’ve tracked it from day 1 via #PowerTracker: bit.ly/4aw6lLf
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 7:43 AM
SA solar milestone 🌞
The Springbok Solar Project (195 MW) near Virginia, Free State, is online ahead of schedule!
💡 100% SA-owned & financed
🌍 Powers ~150 000 homes
🤝 13 buyers
👩🔧 26% women workforce
We’ve tracked it from day 1 via #PowerTracker: bit.ly/4aw6lLf
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
The Springbok Solar Project (195 MW) near Virginia, Free State, is online ahead of schedule!
💡 100% SA-owned & financed
🌍 Powers ~150 000 homes
🤝 13 buyers
👩🔧 26% women workforce
We’ve tracked it from day 1 via #PowerTracker: bit.ly/4aw6lLf
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
For our latest investigation, we built a dataset of land leases linked to renewable energy projects across SA. It provides details on their impacts on landowners and surrounding communities. Download the dataset via our Get the Data page: oxpeckers.org/get-the-data
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 6:30 AM
For our latest investigation, we built a dataset of land leases linked to renewable energy projects across SA. It provides details on their impacts on landowners and surrounding communities. Download the dataset via our Get the Data page: oxpeckers.org/get-the-data
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
#TBT 2020: Relentless investigative journalism exposing environmental crime 🦏 Global conservation organisation infiltrated by trophy hunters. ⚖️ Lenient punishments for pangolin offences in China. 🚢 Seahorse black market devastates Italy’s coast ➡️ oxpeckers.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:34 AM
#TBT 2020: Relentless investigative journalism exposing environmental crime 🦏 Global conservation organisation infiltrated by trophy hunters. ⚖️ Lenient punishments for pangolin offences in China. 🚢 Seahorse black market devastates Italy’s coast ➡️ oxpeckers.org
In October '25, the R5.2-bn Red Rocket solar park became the first and only project to move forward as part of Eskom's land lease scheme - which we've been following since '22. Read our latest investigation to learn more about what we discovered: bit.ly/48vSGpT
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 8:12 AM
In October '25, the R5.2-bn Red Rocket solar park became the first and only project to move forward as part of Eskom's land lease scheme - which we've been following since '22. Read our latest investigation to learn more about what we discovered: bit.ly/48vSGpT
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
Last night we took home silver in Eco-Warrior category at the #EcoLogicAwards 🥈
This is an important win for environmental journalism across the country💥
Congratulations to the Biodiversity Centre, who were awarded gold and waterCANsa who got bronze 👏
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
This is an important win for environmental journalism across the country💥
Congratulations to the Biodiversity Centre, who were awarded gold and waterCANsa who got bronze 👏
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Last night we took home silver in Eco-Warrior category at the #EcoLogicAwards 🥈
This is an important win for environmental journalism across the country💥
Congratulations to the Biodiversity Centre, who were awarded gold and waterCANsa who got bronze 👏
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
This is an important win for environmental journalism across the country💥
Congratulations to the Biodiversity Centre, who were awarded gold and waterCANsa who got bronze 👏
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
ICYMI: In our latest #PowerTracker investigation, we spent 9 months mapping renewable energy projects involving land lease agreements across South Africa. Read the full investigation to learn how we used PAIA and what we found: bit.ly/48vSGpT
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
ICYMI: In our latest #PowerTracker investigation, we spent 9 months mapping renewable energy projects involving land lease agreements across South Africa. Read the full investigation to learn how we used PAIA and what we found: bit.ly/48vSGpT
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
A De Aar entrepreneur describes how local community members feel when big renewable energy companies take advantage of them and their land.
Read all about what he and others had to say in our latest #PowerTracker investigation: bit.ly/48vSGpT
#renewable #energy
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
Read all about what he and others had to say in our latest #PowerTracker investigation: bit.ly/48vSGpT
#renewable #energy
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 7:19 AM
A De Aar entrepreneur describes how local community members feel when big renewable energy companies take advantage of them and their land.
Read all about what he and others had to say in our latest #PowerTracker investigation: bit.ly/48vSGpT
#renewable #energy
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
Read all about what he and others had to say in our latest #PowerTracker investigation: bit.ly/48vSGpT
#renewable #energy
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
#TBT 2019: We exposed how 'Chinese Flying Money' fuelled illegal wildlife trade, reported on the Czech tiger farm exposing organised crime in the heart of the EU, and tracked the 'king of parrots' laundering scheme in Europe ➡️ oxpeckers.org/investigations
#ThrowbackThursday
#ThrowbackThursday
October 23, 2025 at 6:30 AM
#TBT 2019: We exposed how 'Chinese Flying Money' fuelled illegal wildlife trade, reported on the Czech tiger farm exposing organised crime in the heart of the EU, and tracked the 'king of parrots' laundering scheme in Europe ➡️ oxpeckers.org/investigations
#ThrowbackThursday
#ThrowbackThursday
How is land allocated in renewable energy land deals? In our latest #PowerTracker investigation, we visited a municipality in Northern Cape to understand more about the process. Read the full investigation here: bit.ly/48vSGpT
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 6:31 AM
How is land allocated in renewable energy land deals? In our latest #PowerTracker investigation, we visited a municipality in Northern Cape to understand more about the process. Read the full investigation here: bit.ly/48vSGpT
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
What role do trusts play in energy land deals? Sibona Ilanga Trust's executive officer, Zukile Tom, explains how they are supporting the local community: "Whatever the Trust is doing, it is doing on behalf of the community." Read our latest #PowerTracker investigation to learn more: bit.ly/48vSGpT
October 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
What role do trusts play in energy land deals? Sibona Ilanga Trust's executive officer, Zukile Tom, explains how they are supporting the local community: "Whatever the Trust is doing, it is doing on behalf of the community." Read our latest #PowerTracker investigation to learn more: bit.ly/48vSGpT
BREAKING: Public land, long-term leases, and corporate profit? For 9 months, we used PAIA to demand answers on SA's renewable energy deals nationwide. We investigated questions of transparency, revenue allocation, and community benefit, particularly where municipal land is involved ➡️ bit.ly/48vSGpT
Inside renewable energy land deals - Oxpeckers
Long-term leases turn public land into corporate profit, but how are these deals structured, and are communities seeing their share? #PowerTracker investigates Investigation: Thabo Molelekwa Data &…
bit.ly
October 17, 2025 at 6:38 AM
BREAKING: Public land, long-term leases, and corporate profit? For 9 months, we used PAIA to demand answers on SA's renewable energy deals nationwide. We investigated questions of transparency, revenue allocation, and community benefit, particularly where municipal land is involved ➡️ bit.ly/48vSGpT
PUBLIC LAND, PRIVATE PROFIT? We spent 9 months using PAIA to investigate how public land is leased to renewable energy developers across South Africa. Read the investigation by #PowerTracker ☀️
Read the full story tomorrow 👀
#LandDeals #SouthAfrica #RenewableEnergy #Transparency
Read the full story tomorrow 👀
#LandDeals #SouthAfrica #RenewableEnergy #Transparency
October 16, 2025 at 6:30 AM
PUBLIC LAND, PRIVATE PROFIT? We spent 9 months using PAIA to investigate how public land is leased to renewable energy developers across South Africa. Read the investigation by #PowerTracker ☀️
Read the full story tomorrow 👀
#LandDeals #SouthAfrica #RenewableEnergy #Transparency
Read the full story tomorrow 👀
#LandDeals #SouthAfrica #RenewableEnergy #Transparency
🎥 Emthanjeni's Senior Manager of Community Services. Humphrey Joka, says that local municipalities can use #PowerTracker to track renewable energy projects within their area, to stay informed. Watch what he had to say 👀 and visit our mapping tool 📍🗺️ bit.ly/4aw6lLf
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 6:47 AM
🎥 Emthanjeni's Senior Manager of Community Services. Humphrey Joka, says that local municipalities can use #PowerTracker to track renewable energy projects within their area, to stay informed. Watch what he had to say 👀 and visit our mapping tool 📍🗺️ bit.ly/4aw6lLf
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
🎥 Zukile Tom, Executive Officer of the Sibona Ilanga Trust, describes how you can use #PowerTracker to track community trusts across the country. Watch what he had to say 👀 and visit our mapping tool 📍🗺️ bit.ly/4aw6lLf
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 7:47 AM
🎥 Zukile Tom, Executive Officer of the Sibona Ilanga Trust, describes how you can use #PowerTracker to track community trusts across the country. Watch what he had to say 👀 and visit our mapping tool 📍🗺️ bit.ly/4aw6lLf
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
Our 'Sand Saga' investigation into the impacts of unfettered sand mining on the environment & communities featured as a Story of the Week by @gijn.org
👇
Read the original article, produced in partnership with @henrynxumalofund.bsky.social ➡️ bit.ly/46eXZIQ
👇
Read the original article, produced in partnership with @henrynxumalofund.bsky.social ➡️ bit.ly/46eXZIQ
October 13, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Our 'Sand Saga' investigation into the impacts of unfettered sand mining on the environment & communities featured as a Story of the Week by @gijn.org
👇
Read the original article, produced in partnership with @henrynxumalofund.bsky.social ➡️ bit.ly/46eXZIQ
👇
Read the original article, produced in partnership with @henrynxumalofund.bsky.social ➡️ bit.ly/46eXZIQ
🎥 Katlego Malesa, of Sekhukhune Combined Mining Affected Communities, highlights the importance of using #PowerTracker to track socially owned renewable energy. Watch what she had to say 👀 and visit our mapping tool 📍🗺️ bit.ly/4aw6lLf
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
October 13, 2025 at 7:47 AM
🎥 Katlego Malesa, of Sekhukhune Combined Mining Affected Communities, highlights the importance of using #PowerTracker to track socially owned renewable energy. Watch what she had to say 👀 and visit our mapping tool 📍🗺️ bit.ly/4aw6lLf
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
@gijn.org @mobilize-za.bsky.social
Reposted by Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism
📚 GIJN's Stories of the Week
• @journalismarena.eu & partners explore Europe’s vanishing natural spaces.
• Ojo Público & @connectas.org expose clinics & insurers misusing patient info.
• @oxpeckersnews.bsky.social probe a municipal worker accused of illegal sand mining.
https://twp.ai/9PXF5Q
• @journalismarena.eu & partners explore Europe’s vanishing natural spaces.
• Ojo Público & @connectas.org expose clinics & insurers misusing patient info.
• @oxpeckersnews.bsky.social probe a municipal worker accused of illegal sand mining.
https://twp.ai/9PXF5Q
October 10, 2025 at 9:30 PM
📚 GIJN's Stories of the Week
• @journalismarena.eu & partners explore Europe’s vanishing natural spaces.
• Ojo Público & @connectas.org expose clinics & insurers misusing patient info.
• @oxpeckersnews.bsky.social probe a municipal worker accused of illegal sand mining.
https://twp.ai/9PXF5Q
• @journalismarena.eu & partners explore Europe’s vanishing natural spaces.
• Ojo Público & @connectas.org expose clinics & insurers misusing patient info.
• @oxpeckersnews.bsky.social probe a municipal worker accused of illegal sand mining.
https://twp.ai/9PXF5Q
Powerful impact: Money saved, a decline in the crime rate and the ability to study are just some of the biggest impacts of the Nomzamo energy project. Learn more about how the project has uplifted an entire community in our latest #PowerTracker investigation ➡️ bit.ly/3V14s3E
@mobilize-za.bsky.social
@mobilize-za.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Powerful impact: Money saved, a decline in the crime rate and the ability to study are just some of the biggest impacts of the Nomzamo energy project. Learn more about how the project has uplifted an entire community in our latest #PowerTracker investigation ➡️ bit.ly/3V14s3E
@mobilize-za.bsky.social
@mobilize-za.bsky.social
#TBT 2018 Headlines: The Mintails liquidation left a R330m environmental mess; a case study in failed mine closure. Parliament probed the toxic legacy. Meanwhile, the Mabola judgement set new boundaries for protected areas.
@gijn.org @earthjournalism.bsky.social
@gijn.org @earthjournalism.bsky.social
October 9, 2025 at 7:12 AM
#TBT 2018 Headlines: The Mintails liquidation left a R330m environmental mess; a case study in failed mine closure. Parliament probed the toxic legacy. Meanwhile, the Mabola judgement set new boundaries for protected areas.
@gijn.org @earthjournalism.bsky.social
@gijn.org @earthjournalism.bsky.social
Community power: The Nomzamo project provided an opportunity for long-term community development, training and leadership. As a result, more than 20 locals have been upskilled and 6 are employed by the project. Read all about it here ➡️ bit.ly/3V14s3E
@mobilize-za.bsky.social @gijn.org
@mobilize-za.bsky.social @gijn.org
October 8, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Community power: The Nomzamo project provided an opportunity for long-term community development, training and leadership. As a result, more than 20 locals have been upskilled and 6 are employed by the project. Read all about it here ➡️ bit.ly/3V14s3E
@mobilize-za.bsky.social @gijn.org
@mobilize-za.bsky.social @gijn.org
Power of resilience: In our latest #PowerTracker investigation, we visisted Nomzamo informal settlement, where the community no longer relies on Eskom for its energy needs. Learn all about the project ➡️ bit.ly/3V14s3E
@mobilize-za.bsky.social @gijn.org @earthjournalism.bsky.social
@mobilize-za.bsky.social @gijn.org @earthjournalism.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Power of resilience: In our latest #PowerTracker investigation, we visisted Nomzamo informal settlement, where the community no longer relies on Eskom for its energy needs. Learn all about the project ➡️ bit.ly/3V14s3E
@mobilize-za.bsky.social @gijn.org @earthjournalism.bsky.social
@mobilize-za.bsky.social @gijn.org @earthjournalism.bsky.social