By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
African Rainbow Minerals Limited (ARM) non-executive chairperson Patrice Motsepe has distanced himself from a bid to run for the African National Congress (ANC) presidency in 2027.
Motsepe was speaking at ARM’s interim results presentation in Johannesburg on Friday.
ARM has delivered a resilient financial performance for the six months ended 31 December 2025, reporting a 10% increase in headline earnings to R1 669 million.
The diversified miner’s results highlight a dramatic turnaround in its Platinum division, which successfully cushioned the impact of a significant downturn in its Ferrous and Coal operations.
ARM is aggressively reshaping its portfolio, concluding the disposal of its Sakura Ferroalloys interest for R2.06 billion and closing the Cato Ridge Works. The group also consolidated its position in Nkomati Mine, taking 100% ownership following an agreement with Norilsk Nickel.
Motsepe said: “As has always been our position, best place for us to play and make that contribution is outside politics. I said this 20 years ago and I said it five years ago.
“The minute you run for votes, you deviate from the broader objectives and the broader benefit for all South Africans.”
Motsepe also denied accusations he was subverting ANC regulations amid online “PM27” campaigns, referencing the ANC’s national conference in December 2027 at which a new party president is to be appointed.
“I have a duty to answer these questions to you, because I’m chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, a company we started many, many years ago. But let’s try and do what I do — I ignore these things,” said Motsepe on his political ambitions. “It’s false, it’s unfounded. I would never go and fund people to buy [campaign caps]. And “PM27” — that could also mean post meridian,” he said to laughter from the audience.
ARM announced in February Motsepe had relinquished his position as executive chair and was retiring as an employee of the company – a function of the JSE’s ‘Simplification Project’ which forbids a person from working as executive chair and CEO positions.