In the specialised world of nuclear energy law, Nkazimulo Qaaim Moyeni stands out as one of South Africa’s emerging experts in a field that remains largely unexplored by legal professionals. His journey into this unique specialisation began through family connections and has evolved into a passionate pursuit.
Moyeni’s interest was sparked by his father, a nuclear scientist working for a South African state-owned enterprise that manages radioactive waste disposal. Through conversations with his father about the complexities and misconceptions surrounding the industry, Moyeni developed a fascination with this specialised field.
“My father is a nuclear scientist who works for one of the SOEs in South Africa that deals with the disposal of waste of nuclear and other radioactive substances,” Moyeni explains. “He used to normally engage with me with this specific industry, the complexities around it and the misconceptions around it. I found it quite fascinating.”
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The Turning Point
A pivotal moment came when Moyeni’s father returned from a nuclear energy conference in Vienna with stories about meeting a specialized nuclear lawyer. This encounter highlighted the scarcity of legal professionals in the nuclear sector.
“This guy told him it’s a very niche market and there [aren’t many] lawyers who are aware of this. It’s a very complex space and lawyers actually need to participate in the ecosystem of nuclear energy,” recounts Moyeni.
This revelation prompted him to begin his own research journey, taking various courses and exploring the available information online to better understand the field.
Moyeni was particularly drawn to South Africa’s unique status on the continent: “Considering that we are the only African country that has a functioning nuclear power plant, I did my research on that and found it quite fascinating not only with regards to the importance of it in terms of a country’s stability, growth and development, but more especially I saw how there is a lack of lawyers in this space.”
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Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy
Moyeni believes that lawyers have a crucial role to play in the nuclear energy sector that scientists alone cannot fulfill. While scientists handle the technical aspects, legal professionals are essential for developing the regulatory framework.
“The government has little support in terms of demystifying all these misconceptions. Scientists are not the people to do it; they are more the technical aspects of it. Lawyers are the one who play a vital role in terms of drafting the legislation [and] policies,” he states.
Today, Moyeni is part of a movement advocating for nuclear energy as an alternative power source, particularly relevant in a country and continent facing significant electricity challenges.
“I love complex things and, ultimately, I want to see the benefit leading to the people. Nuclear is a space that we are not aware of, still sleeping on and it is an effect,” he emphasises, noting the historical significance of nuclear technology in global politics.
His vision extends beyond South Africa: “There is a movement advocating for nuclear, demystifying the misconceptions around it. Our role is ensuring that we utilise it as an alternative source for electricity… Utilising nuclear energy as the primary source can lead to huge development for many countries.”
For more insights from Nkazimulo Qaaim Moyeni on nuclear education and its potential for regional development in Africa, watch his full interview with Tahir Maepa on Salaamedia:
