One thing that can bring 500,000 jobs to South Africa

Freedom Front Plus leader Corne Mulder said a Johannesburg-based critical minerals exchange linked to US commodity markets could unlock significant value.

Mulder shared this information during the Presidency Budget Vote Debate, in which he urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to deal with the Phala Phala matter swiftly.

This was needed, he said, to ensure that the President can shift to what should be the top priority in the interest of all South Africans: properly governing South Africa.

One of the top priorities should be for South Africa to rethink certain aspects of its policy towards the United States.

“The US remains the world’s largest economy with the strongest military, and South Africa cannot afford to be hostile towards it,” he said.

He said if South Africa agreed to the United States’ conditions, the benefits that could flow from this could be profound.

At the heart of a new agreement between the United States and South Africa should be a pact on critical minerals.

“South Africa could offer strategic access to the exploration, mining, and refining of platinum group metals, manganese, vanadium, rare earth elements and titanium,” he said.

The United States could match this with long-term offtake commitments, targeted reserve-building programmes, and financing for processing capacity.

A Johannesburg-based critical minerals exchange, linked to US commodity markets, could unlock supply chains and position South Africa as a global processing and trading hub.

This partnership would unlock economic opportunities for South Africa while securing reliable, strategic raw materials for the United States.

“The strategic payoffs would be immediate: the US would secure trusted supplies for the manufacturing of electric vehicles, aircraft, and advanced industries,” Mulder said.

“South Africa would also position itself as a global processing and trading hub and not just a mine pit at the end of another country’s value chain.”

He added that a US/Africa/Middle East hub for mining technology, supply chain traceability, and AI-driven monitoring will draw international investment.

These investors would likely include United States private equity firms and Gulf sovereign wealth funds.

“This minerals agreement could increase South Africa’s GDP by $40 billion and create 500,000 jobs across the mining, processing, energy, logistics and services sectors,” he said.

“It would drive up economic growth to 5% per year and halve unemployment over time,” he added.

For the United States, direct gains from minerals, gas exports and agriculture could exceed $75 billion.

This would justify the reduction of South Africa’s general tariff to 10% and guarantee trade privileges under AGOA.

“With an open door to the White House, the time is now to secure a landmark deal with the Trump administration,” Mulder said.

“This deal can deliver prosperity for South Africa and its people. The alternative is perpetual decline.”