If South Africa is serious about ensuring that its transition to a low-carbon economy is a just one, then there is no question that the re-training of coal workers will have to be at the very heart of any social mitigation effort. Re-training alone, however, will not be sufficient to ensure that vulnerable workers are supported and will, thus, have to be coupled to tangible employment, or self-employment, opportunities where these newly attained skills can be immediately, and profitably, applied.