Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale has scoffed at the National Union of Metalworkers' suggestion his assets be nationalised.

The union responded to a list of the country's richest people published in the Sunday Times which put Sexwale's wealth at R1-billion and Patrise Motsepe's wealth at R14-billion.

The union said it was obscene some individuals were worth billions.

"The current dispensation was never about replacing the white capitalist class with a black capitalist class," said Numsa's Castro Ngobese.

Speaking to Talk Radio 702's John Robbie on Monday, Sexwale laughed off the suggestion.

"The silly season starts in the middle of next month, I do not know why they bring it forward so early. I think we should not distract from problems that we have. These are people that have earned wealth genuinely," he said.