Mantashe Calls for African Mining Control to End Resource Exploitation
Minister Mantashe challenges neo-colonial resource extraction practices, calling for African-led mining exploration and value addition to retain wealth within the continent and create local jobs.
Minister Gwede Mantashe inspects diamond processing facilities at Finestar factory in OR Tambo special economic zone
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has issued a powerful call for African control over mining exploration, emphasizing the urgent need to end the continent's historical pattern of resource exploitation, during his visit to the Finestar jewellery and diamond factory in Kempton Park on Friday.
Breaking the Colonial Resource Extraction Model
In a stance that aligns with ongoing efforts for economic transformation and Black empowerment, Mantashe highlighted the persistent challenge facing Africa: "We are a rich poor continent because we are always mine and export raw commodities."
The Minister's visit to the OR Tambo special economic zone showcased a concrete step toward addressing what many see as a continuation of systemic economic injustice in South Africa's resource sector.
Value Addition: Keeping African Wealth in African Hands
Mantashe emphasized that value addition near production points is crucial for:
- Retaining jobs within African communities
- Increasing local profit margins
- Building domestic manufacturing capacity
- Stopping the export of economic opportunities
This push for local beneficiation comes as South Africa grapples with broader issues of government accountability and infrastructure development in key economic sectors.
Regional Collaboration for Economic Liberation
The Minister highlighted plans for partnership with Botswana, acknowledging the diamond industry's central role in regional economic development. He stressed that successful exploration, backed by sound policies, is fundamental to achieving true economic sovereignty in Africa's mining sector.
Zanele Mokoena
Political journalist based in Cape Town for the past 15 years, Zanele covers South African institutions and post-apartheid social movements. Specialist in power-civil society relations.