Resource Nationalism in the Republic of South AfricaJulius Malema, member and youth leader of the ruling African National Congress party and leader of the minority Economic Freedom Fighters party hails from within 100 km of the Platreef project, in Limpopo province. Given his sketchy track record and apparent disrepute with the establishment he would appear to represent more of a radical element, rather than mainstream South African political sentiment. A look at president Jacob Zuma's recent appointment of Mosebenzi Zwane as Mineral Resources Minister in September 2015, and the latter's attention to a proposal to purchase of uneconomic and unwanted mines from listed mining companies in the private sector and to advancing the 26% B-BBEE initiative, would suggest that the political mainstream is intent on pursuing a middle way of supporting labour and increasing the economic benefit to historically disadvantaged South Africans (HDSAs). I suppose it goes without saying that nationalisation in many of its historical incarnations has tended to be a lose-lose proposition given its rejection of the advantages of international capital markets and foreign technical resources and labour. On the other hand, this calculus may have limited bearing on political reality. But in this case the moderate nature of the mainstream political rhetoric and developments, even at or near a secular low point in the sector, would appear to suggest that outright expropriation is not an immediate threat. Of course, if Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters party gains in popularity from its current 6% minority then its influence could increase. But at this point support is regional and the threat seems relatively remote. If anyone has an alternate analysis, it would certainly be of interest.