By John Ikani
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday reaffirmed South Africa’s impartiality in the evolving dynamics of global influence in a bid to ease global concerns ahead of the upcoming BRICS summit in Johannesburg.
Addressing the nation on Sunday evening, the president delved into South Africa’s foreign policy and the impending BRICS summit.
“We won’t engage in a rivalry between major world powers,” Ramaphosa stated, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to a policy of non-alignment.
“We’ve resisted pressures to align with any specific global power or influential groups of nations. African countries’ stability suffered during the Cold War due to affiliations with major powers. Learning from this, we opt for strategic partnerships instead of being beholden to any single country.”
The president stressed that, while some critics Overtly support their political choices, “we won’t get entangled in a contest of global powers.” Instead, South Africa aims to collaborate with all nations for worldwide peace and progress.
“SA is a part of the Non-Aligned Movement, a forum of about 120 countries not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. Our nonaligned stance doesn’t signify neutrality on fundamental principles or national interests,” Ramaphosa explained.
“Our nonalignment exists alongside our active support for oppressed and marginalized people globally. Our hard-won freedom and international solidarity compel us to aid those still facing colonialism and racial oppression. Hence, we’ll persist in supporting Palestine and Western Sahara,” the president asserted.
Ramaphosa gave full backing to the expansion of BRICS members, seeing it as a catalyst for a more balanced global order.
During the live televised speech, Ramaphosa revealed that 20 nations had applied for BRICS membership, with several expressing interest in joining the fold.
“South Africa advocates BRICS expansion. Its value transcends the interests of current members,” he noted.
The BRICS community, composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, forms a quarter of the global economy, contributes a fifth to global trade, and represents 40% of the world’s population.
Over 30 heads of state gathered in South Africa for the 15th BRICS Summit, scheduled from Tuesday to Thursday.
Ramaphosa hinted at a virtual presence by Russian President Vladimir Putin, disclosed during an ANC meeting in Joburg on Saturday.
“Collectively, BRICS members have advocated for a fairer, balanced world, governed by an inclusive global system,” Ramaphosa emphasized.
He added that South Africa’s BRICS membership had yielded positive opportunities, fostering a strategic bond with China, the world’s second-largest economy.
Building on this relationship, Ramaphosa indicated that he would be signing several agreements with President Xi Jinping.
In 2025, South Africa will assume the presidency of the G20, becoming the first African nation to host a G20 summit on the continent.
