South Africa must take steps to safeguard its platinum reserves which could be used as the world’s new energy source, Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils said.
In an address to the National Security Conference being held in Pretoria, Kasrils said that with global oil shortages imminent, scientists were investigating the hydrogen fuel cell as an alternative energy source.
”Platinum is being advanced as a possible catalyst to convert hydrogen into this new form of energy. If successful, then we in platinum-rich South Africa are sitting on 86% of the new energy source of the world,” he told delegates late on Monday night.
He said that while oil had caused a century of instability in the Middle East, the same must not happen in South Africa. He warned that holding energy resources seemed to lead to instability.
”Already attempts to destabilise West Africa are evident in the scramble by foreign interests for newly discovered oil reserves,” he said.
He added that the security threats of the new century were vastly different from the last century.
”… there is relentless pressure on resources such as energy, water, minerals, fertile land and food, leading to increased competition and potential for conflict.”
He said this trend could exacerbated by deepening ethnic, religious and ideological differences and intolerance.
”This is not a passing phase, it is here to stay. It affects everyone, especially a new and diverse nation like South Africa, with a range of domestic challenges and wide international responsibilities, including our obligations within our region and
our commitment to the African renaissance.”
The conference — which will explore issues such as food security in Southern Africa — ends on Wednesday. – Sapa