Former Sibanye CEO Froneman should exit business pact, says presidency

The Presidency expects former Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman to withdraw from a partnership between business and the government after he urged Washington to target individuals responsible for South African policies while sparing businesses.

The dispute comes less than two months after President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the partnership’s third phase, aimed at lifting annual economic growth above 3% and creating a million jobs by 2030. The programme brings cabinet ministers and senior officials together with business leaders co-ordinated through Business for South Africa, with a joint oversight committee meeting quarterly with the president.

The latest phase adds mining, tourism, infrastructure and agriculture to earlier work on energy and logistics. Tackling crime and corruption, the area in which Froneman participates, forms part of a broader effort to build confidence, alongside addressing local government challenges.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Froneman’s approach was unpatriotic and destructive. He said the comments put the businessman’s continued participation in joint efforts to combat crime and corruption in doubt.

“He is a successful businessman, for which we respect him. But he is not a diplomat. As to his role in the government and business partnership, one would expect he will withdraw his participation now that he is at odds with the government,” Magwenya said.

Froneman made the remarks in an interview with BizNews founder Alec Hogg about his plan to bring a Formula One race back to South Africa.

The private sector and the majority of South Africans are not the problem, and therefore don’t punish business in South Africa. Rather target those individuals who continue to drive policies that are not supported by the majority of South Africans

— Neal Froneman

Relations between Pretoria and Washington have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump returned to office in 2025, fuelled by his false claims of white persecution and disputes over SA’s land reform and foreign policy. In September US secretary of state Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions targeting people responsible for policies Washington alleges enable racial discrimination, uncompensated land seizures or incitement to violence against minorities. No individuals were named.

Pretoria rejected the US characterisation of its policies, saying they seek to address centuries of racial injustice. The government rejected the basis for the restrictions, saying Washington had adopted a distorted account of SA’s domestic policies promoted by fringe groups claiming to represent minorities and Afrikaners. It said the dispute should be resolved through diplomatic engagement and respect for SA’s constitutional processes.

Froneman said his work in Washington had sought to distinguish the private sector from the government amid strained relations between SA and the US.

“The private sector and the majority of South Africans are not the problem, and therefore don’t punish business in South Africa,” he said. “Rather target those individuals who continue to drive policies that are not supported by the majority of South Africans.”

Asked whether SA’s foreign relations could jeopardise the project, Froneman acknowledged the risk, but argued a clear separation between the roles of business and government should address concerns at Formula One owner Liberty Media.

The project would require government backing. Froneman said sport minister Gayton McKenzie had secured a commitment from the government of national unity to provide a guarantee required by Formula One, supported by sponsorship commitments from large companies. That arrangement would be available to whichever bidder succeeded in securing the race, he said.

Froneman did not immediately respond to Business Day’s questions. This article will be updated with his response once received.

Business Day