Mining Weekly

These are the five words that were reiterated in the often-heated Xolani Gwala-hosted national radio debate on SAfm’s AMLive last week, when ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, above, said in reference to the proposed downsizing of Anglo American Platinum (Amplats): “They have stolen our money; they are now a British company.” Gwala: “They have stolen our money?” Mantashe: “They have stolen our money and listed in London . . . that company was built on the back of South African capital and labour.” Gwala: “What’s going to happen next?” Mantashe: “. . . the State must take a bigger interest and control in all strategic sectors, including mining.” Former Anglo American South Africa head Kuseni Dlamini urged in the same debate that the Amplats row be used as an opportunity to put an end to divisions and arrive at constructive solutions.