South Africa stands out among developing nations due to its significant leverage in the AI infrastructure landscape, primarily through its vast reserves of platinum-group metals, which are essential for semiconductor manufacturing. The country is currently at a crossroads, as it faces competition from both Chinese and American technology firms vying for dominance in AI systems. Despite this advantageous position, South Africa's draft AI policy has been criticized for lacking clear governance structures and actionable terms, which could result in the country being treated merely as a consumer of AI technology rather than a stakeholder. The recent withdrawal of the draft policy due to inaccuracies highlights systemic issues in governance. The establishment of a new review panel, led by credible experts, presents an opportunity to redefine the policy framework. However, without a clear timeline for revisions, South Africa risks losing its leverage in the global AI arena. If the country can negotiate favorable terms for technology transfer and data sovereignty, it could set a precedent for other African nations, shaping the future of AI governance on the continent.