A group of influential Afrikaner business figures and political leaders presented a private trade proposal to US contacts at a private dinner in Washington this week, raising concerns about parallel diplomacy as SA continues official talks with Washington on a revised trade deal.
The Afrikaner group, which Business Day has identified as including tech investor André Pienaar, Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder and businessman Chris Opperman, attended a private dinner hosted by the White House Historical Association on Tuesday while SA negotiators were engaged in formal discussions with their US counterparts.
“Yes, I am in Washington. I have been invited to attend a private dinner tonight at the White House Historical Association,” Mulder confirmed to Business Day.
The group released their trade proposals, placing critical minerals and energy at the heart of trade relations between SA and the US, this week and presented them to unnamed US officials.
They argue that Pretoria can offer Washington a secure supply of minerals such as platinum-group metals, manganese and rare earths.
Unofficial nongovernmental intermediaries
The trio have presented themselves as unofficial nongovernmental intermediaries between Pretoria and Washington, a framing that potentially grants FF Plus — a member of the GNU — political cover within the GNU.
Business Day understands though that FF Plus member Pieter Groenewald, who is also the correctional services minister, is unlikely to be removed as a member of cabinet.
President Cyril Ramaphosa previously removed the DA’s Eastern Cape leader and former deputy minister of trade, industry & competition, Andrew Whitfield, for undertaking an unauthorised trip to the US.
Whitfield and DA MP Emma Powell met senior US government officials to discuss US and SA relations, a move that angered the presidency.
The department of trade, industry & competition responded cautiously when asked about the Afrikaner delegation’s lobbying, with spokesperson Kaamil Alli saying, “We’d prefer not to comment extensively on this except to say that we have been continuing our constructive engagements with our counterparts on the text which forms the basis of our negotiations.”
The Afrikaner group’s plan includes a proposed “Secure Saldanha Prosperity Corridor”, centred on the deepwater port of Saldanha Bay, envisioning American-financed mineral processing plants, liquefied natural gas terminals and data centres powered by imported natural gas and nuclear energy, and an exemption for the zone from BEE requirements.
“Combined with a US–SA security technology partnership — as advocated by Johann Rupert at the White House meeting in May — mines, refineries, ports, and logistics would be equipped with the best American platforms for surveillance, data analysis, and law enforcement support,” Mulder said.
“The co-operation agreement should also be expanded to address the following issues: global drug syndicates, which devastate communities in both countries, as well as joint efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financing, and border corruption. Shared digital platforms for cargo monitoring can make trade corridors safer, lower risk premiums, and unlock new investment.”
Private initiatives that propose exemptions to domestic empowerment rules and suggest foreign security and surveillance partnerships are likely to spark political and legal pushback in Pretoria, potentially complicating an already sensitive negotiating environment with Washington.
Business Day previously reported that the two countries are “expected to finalise a revised trade deal in October”, with only a handful of issues related to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) still outstanding.
Trade minister Parks Tau briefed the cabinet on the progress at a recent lekgotla.
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