Cape Town Naval Drills, Africa’s Rare Earth Minerals and South Africa’s Foreign Policy

Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast discusses South Africa's hosting of the "Will for Peace 2026" naval exercises near Cape Town, exploring the geopolitical implications of the event. He discusses how the exercises strengthen South Africa's maritime security and promote BRICS cooperation while addressing the underlying tension with the US, which views South Africa's alignment with countries like Venezuela and Iran—nations with which America has diplomatic conflicts—as problematic.

“These armed drills and the regimental proceedings, they do strengthen our multilateral and bilateral relationships, in particular within the context of the BRICS, which intends, on my end, to create a new world order, which is seen to be posing a threat to the current world order of 1945, the world order of America as a superpower.” Professor Breakfast says. “I think what is upsetting the US is the fact that it's like we are joining forces with their political enemies,” he adds.

Central to the discussion is South Africa's assertion of its sovereignty as a nation-state with the right to conduct international relations and military exercises with any country of its choosing, independent of US concerns. The interview also touches on broader power dynamics and reflects on how global geopolitical alignments are shifting away from traditional Western dominance toward more multipolar arrangements.

Later in the show, Xhanti Bhayi, a prominent economist and strategist, discusses the potential impact of Africa's vast rare earth mineral deposits, which make up around 30% of global reserves. He highlights the importance of critical minerals for economic development and the need for greater regional cooperation and consolidation among African countries to leverage this resource.

“I think especially if we think of how, for example, people who have oil have been so successful […] for example, OPEC. These guys collaborate, and they determine what the price of oil will be, and that's important. So Africa could probably do that."

Overall, the interview emphasizes the need for a more strategic, collaborative, and equitable approach to developing Africa's rare earth mineral resources.

Finally, former Ambassador Welile Nhlapo discusses South Africa's foreign policy approach, particularly in the context of the African agenda and Agenda 2063. He provides historical context on how South Africa's foreign policy developed, rooted in the ANC's principles of continental independence and Pan-African solidarity.

“We proclaimed the independence of the continent, commitment to peace and friendship on the continent, which was later reflected in the Freedom Charter as a basis for international relations. And the independence of the continent as a primary objective that we all should be able to achieve in Pan-African solidarity.”

Nhlapo’s vast historical knowledge comes, to some degree, from his extensive experience in South Africa’s liberation struggle. After going into exile in Botswana in 1974, he served as the chief representative of the ANC in the country. He has also served as the SA ambassador to a number of countries including Ethiopia and the United States.

To hear more from Welile Nhlapo’s encyclopedic knowledge of South African history, tune in to this episode of Nnete Fela.

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