We needed to revisit this question recently after our meetings with Allan Gray and Ninety One (see story above). The upshot: divestment alone cannot stop climate breakdown, but does have massive influence.

We’ve had many engagements with university students and some with lecturers at UCT and Stellenbosch University this year. They were far more receptive to our divestment message than than the asset managers Allan Gray and Ninety One, whose dismissals challenged us to explore, once again, the power of divestment.

At the Clean Creatives’ Climate Mixer event in March 2025, agency CEOs encouraged their peers to be “part of the climate solution, not part of the problem” and described how purpose-driven businesses reap better profits.

Our groundbreaking Smoke and Mirrors report exposes the scale of fossil fuel greenwashing in South Africa, revealing how misleading ads from major petroleum companies reach 15 million people monthly. The Fossil Ad Ban campaign, backed by the GOOD Party, calls for urgent action to ban deceptive fossil fuel advertising and hold companies accountable.

V&A Waterfront has revoked permission for FFSA’s Investment Justice Walk to enter its precinct, forcing a route change. FFSA criticises this decision as undemocratic and inconsistent with the Waterfront’s stated commitments to sustainability and inclusivity. The walk, highlighting ethical investment and climate justice, will proceed on 15 November as planned.

FFSA’s Investment Justice Walk on 15 November 2024 will spotlight SA asset managers still funding fossil fuels. The walk, from St. George’s Cathedral to the V&A Waterfront, will highlight the role of finance in shaping society and call for ethical investment.

FFSA urges South Africa to reject fossil gas, aligning with global calls to cut gas consumption for climate action. Reports show gas is not a cleaner alternative, and methane emissions accelerate global warming. COP27 highlights the urgent need for a rapid transition to renewable energy.

Fossil Free South Africa launched the Planet A Investment Guide, the country’s only ethical investment advisory. The guide highlights three sustainable South African funds as alternatives to fossil fuel investments. FFSA urges investors to seek expert advice while considering ESG-friendly options.

FFSA raises concerns about the Africa Climate Summit’s business-focused agenda, which lacks a clear commitment to phasing out fossil fuels. The summit, influenced by vested interests, has excluded many grassroots voices. FFSA supports African civil society’s call for a Just Transition and stronger climate action.

FFSA criticises Minister Mantashe for misrepresenting EU policy to justify gas and nuclear projects, and warns that expanding fossil fuels will harm the economy, worsen inequality, and contradict global climate goals.

The Advertising Regulatory Board's appeal committee has dismissed TotalEnergies' appeal against a verdict in our favour − a warning to fossil fuel companies against greenwashing.

Look out for the seven bright, energetic young interns who have become the face of our #InvestFossilFree campaign at malls, markets and other public venues.  

First-year design student Vusumzi Maseti at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology won the Creative Cleanup 202𝟦 award for 18 − 25-year-old creatives recently. 

Our Clean Creatives South Africa (CCSA) campaign has produced the second edition of its F-list report, called “A Flood of Greenwashing”, which names and shames the 42 South African public relations and advertising companies we know are promoting the fossil fuel industry.  

Our Fossil Ad Ban (FAB) campaigners recently organised a workshop for community leaders in Carolina, Mpumalanga, to empower the community to discern greenwashing by mining companies.

Clean Creatives SA director Stephen Horn has drawn attention on social media to a far-reaching campaign of lies and “astroturfing” by public relations company MetropolitanRepublic (MR), working for TotalEnergies in Uganda. 

Academic institutions in South Africa who want to stand up against the fossil fuel industry – you can sign on here.

The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has upheld Fossil Ad Ban's (FAB) complaint against TotalEnergies, rejecting their appeal. The ruling challenges misleading greenwashing claims, emphasizing the need for companies to back sustainability promises with real actions. FAB sees the decision as a victory for climate accountability.

Fossil Ad Ban, a programme of Fossil Free South Africa, welcomes a landmark decision by the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) against TotalEnergies

You might be hooked on the glorious 2024 Paris Olympic Games after being amazed at the razzle-dazzle of the opening ceremony, as are we.