Gwede Mantashe
Gwede Mantashe is South Africa's Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, a portfolio that also covers electricity-sector reform issues through Operation Vulindlela. A veteran of the labour movement, he formerly led the National Union of Mineworkers and later served as secretary-general of the African National Congress before taking up ministerial office. He chairs national engagements on mine health and safety, reporting annually on fatality statistics and urging the industry towards a "zero harm" target, and has highlighted the particular risks faced by contract workers and commuting mineworkers. Mantashe is a prominent voice on mineral beneficiation policy, promoting local processing of resources such as rare earths and thorium, exemplified by his official opening of the Phase 1 concentrate plant at the Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine in the Western Cape. He frequently appears at industry events such as the Joburg Indaba, where he has addressed issues including the high fuel price, attributing it to the war in the Middle East and its effect on the rand-dollar exchange rate, and has called on South Africans and government to confront the impact together rather than treat relief as an entitlement. He has also been linked to government efforts to secure private capital for junior mining exploration and bankable feasibility funding through vehicles such as the Public Investment Corporation and the Junior Mining Exploration Fund. He has occasionally become a target of criticism from opposition parties over his conduct at public engagements. Mantashe remains a key figure shaping South Africa's mining investment climate, regulatory reform and energy policy debates.
Gwede Mantashe Updates
ANC support falls sharply in early South Africa municipal election results
By: Reuters 5th November 2026 South Africa's early municipal election results on Thursday showed the ANC with a sharply reduced vote share, in what could shape up to be a... →
Daily Podcast – October 23, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 23rd October 2026 Making headlines: ANC orders Gwede Mantashe to apologise over sexist remarks; MKP removes SG over communication, administrative breakdowns; And,... →
ANC orders Gwede Mantashe to apologise over sexist remarks 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 23rd October 2026 The ANC has ordered its national chairperson Gwede Mantashe to issue a formal apology following explicit and sexist remarks he made during a... →
Daily Podcast – October 09, 2026
9th October 2026 Making headlines: South African judge Navi Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize Government blames disinformation as anti-migrant protests turn... →
Minister urges South Africans to work together in confronting high fuel price
By: Martin Creamer 9th October 2026 It must be appreciated that the current high price of fuel is a function of the war in the Middle East and South Africans must work together in... →
Parties lodge ethics complaint against Majodina over vulgar tirade against Kouga resident
By: Thabi Shomolekae 11th September 2026 The EFF, DA and ActionSA have criticised Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina, following a highly contentious confrontation with a... →
Operation Vulindlela: Opening the road
By: Econ3x3 4th September 2026 Operation Vulindlela is a joint delivery unit of the Presidency and the National Treasury, established in 2020 to implement a limited set of... →
Petrol, diesel prices set for hefty increases from September 2
By: Creamer Media Reporter 31st August 2026 The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) has confirmed that the price of petrol, both 93 and 95 grades, will increase by R1.34 a... →
Civil society warns against Orange Basin oil deal over Israel ties, climate risks
By: Thabi Shomolekae 21st August 2026 A coalition of South African civil society organisations has launched an urgent appeal to Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe... →
ActionSA slams Cabinet reshuffle as a 'failure'
By: Thabi Shomolekae 1st July 2026 ActionSA has strongly condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa's latest Cabinet reshuffle, particularly criticising the return of former Minister Dina... →
