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Mantashe Underwhelms Again

Dear Editor

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe’s, opening statement at the 2025 Investing in African Mining Indaba – was an opportunity to attract local and international investment in South Africa’s mining sector. Instead his reckless utterances were a national embarrassment, further damaging South Africa’s investment credibility.

The minister squandered this moment, serving as a deterrent rather than a draw for potential investors.

South Africa is already a risky mining investment destination due to its ever-changing and unpredictable mining policies. Rather than providing much-needed certainty, Mantashe chose to issue a veiled threat about potentially withholding minerals if the US proceeds with funding cuts to Africa. He also raised the prospect of a minerals export tax – an ill-advised move for a country that claims to be serious about attracting investment.

The minister also doubled down on keeping race-based economic policy that has proven to only empower a connected few at the expense of the majority. He also gave a progress report on the mining cadastral system but did not reveal whether the launch date of June 2025 will be met.

Instead of tackling the issue of illegal mining he chose to wash his hands of any responsibility saying it was a police matter, even though he is the minister tasked with overseeing the mining industry.

The minister also made a gratuitous attack on Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis who opened the conference. Perhaps minister Mantashe should follow the Cape Town mayor as an example of a public official who is exemplary at executing duties of public office.

This is not the person to lead our mining. Our industry has the potential to lift South Africans out of poverty. Sadly that potential will not be realised while Mantashe is the minister. He must go.

Regards

Sphesihle Zondi
DA Deputy Spokesperson on Mineral and Petroleum Resources

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