Phuti Mosomane
President Cyril Ramaphosa called a family meeting on Sunday to address South Africans on the country’s foreign policy in light of “our country being the host of the 15th BRICS Summit” in Sandton City, Joburg from Tuesday, he said.
Ramaphosa highlighted the significance of the Brics Summit for South Africa and the African continent and said a day ahead of the Summit, South Africa will receive President Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China on his fourth state visit to the country.
“This BRICS Summit and the State Visit by President President Xi Jinping, as well as the many bilateral engagements we will have with President Lula Da Silva of Brazil, Prime Minister Modi of India and many other heads of state on the sidelines of the Summit, have a bearing on our relationships with other countries and South Africa’s place in the world.
“To understand why these relations are so important for our country and its people, we need to understand the principles and the values that shape our foreign policy and inform our international relations.
“South Africa shall be a fully independent state which respects the rights and the sovereignty of all nations; South Africa shall strive to maintain world peace and the settlement of all international disputes by negotiation – not war”.
Ramaphosa said through stronger relations with other countries, manifested through investment and trade relations, South Africa can grow its economy, create more opportunities for new businesses and create jobs.
Together, the members of BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – make up a quarter of the global economy, they account for a fifth of global trade and are home to more than 40 per cent of the world’s population.
This has enabled our country to have friendly and valuable relations with countries around the world at political, diplomatic, trade, investment, sporting, social and many other levels, said Ramaphosa adding that these are principles that guide our participation in BRICS.
BRICS as a formation plays an important role in the world due to its economic power, market potential, political influence and development cooperation yet the value of BRICS extends beyond its sheer size, the President said.
BRICS countries can collectively shape global dynamics, and acting together, have the potential to drive significant changes in the world economy and international relations.
Together, the BRICS members have used their collective voice to call for a world that is more equitable, balanced and governed by an inclusive system of global governance.
Ramaphosa said being a BRICS member has created positive opportunities for South Africa and has enabled our country to have a strategic relationship with China.
“Based on the strategic relationship between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China we will be signing several agreements during President Xi’s State visit.
“We have steadily strengthened trade and investment ties with other BRICS countries alongside collaboration in areas like development, skills, technology, security and innovation.
“South Africa has benefited from the New Development Bank, which was established by the BRICS countries in 2015. Our country has been funded by the bank in several infrastructure projects to the value of R100 billion in sectors such as roads, water, transport and energy”.
To further advance the African development agenda, more than 30 Heads of State and Government from across Africa will be attending the summit.
“We want to build a partnership between BRICS and Africa so that our continent can unlock opportunities for increased trade, investment and infrastructure development”.
There are great opportunities for other BRICS countries to participate in the African Continental Free Trade Area by locating production and services in various countries on the African continent, including our own, by partnering with local companies and entrepreneurs, said Ramaphosa.
The 15th BRICS Summit will discuss a number of issues including the important issue of the possible expansion of the membership of BRICS.
More than 20 countries have formally applied to join BRICS and several others have expressed an interest in becoming part of the BRICS family.
Ramaphosa pointed out that for its efforts to be more effective, BRICS needs to build partnerships with other countries that share its aspirations and perspectives.
An expanded BRICS will represent a diverse group of nations with different political systems that share a common desire to have a more balanced global order.
“In addition to the other African leaders in attendance, we will also be welcoming leaders from several countries of the Global South. These include countries from the Caribbean and South America, from the Middle East, from West Asia, South Asia and South-East Asia.
“Based on the strategic relationship between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China we will be signing several agreements during President Xi’s State visit,” said Ramaphosa.
“We have steadily strengthened trade and investment ties with other BRICS countries alongside collaboration in areas like development, skills, technology, security and innovation.
“South Africa has benefited from the New Development Bank, which was established by the BRICS countries in 2015.
“Our country has been funded by the bank in several infrastructure projects to the value of R100 billion in sectors such as roads, water, transport and energy”.
Ramaphosa reported that more than 30 heads of state and government from across the continent will be attending the summit to further advance the African development agenda.
“We want to build a partnership between BRICS and Africa so that our continent can unlock opportunities for increased trade, investment and infrastructure development.
“There are great opportunities for other BRICS countries to participate in the African Continental Free Trade Area by locating production and services in various countries on the African continent, including our own, by partnering with local companies and entrepreneurs”.
The 15th BRICS Summit will discuss a number of issues including the important issue of the possible expansion of the membership of BRICS.
More than 20 countries have formally applied to join BRICS and several others have expressed an interest in becoming part of the BRICS family, he said.
“In addition to the other African leaders in attendance, we will also be welcoming leaders from several countries of the Global South. These include countries from the Caribbean and South America, from the Middle East, from West Asia, South Asia and South-East Asia.
“This BRICS Summit is particularly important as it is being held as the world is confronted by fundamental challenges that are bound to determine the course of international events for years to come.
“As the week begins tomorrow, the streets of our country will be hubs of activity as visitors from various countries will be our guests. Let us welcome them and give them the warmth and hospitality that we are known for.
“A number of them may choose to stay for a few days beyond the summit to visit the various beautiful parts of our country. I call on all of us to show them the very best of South African Ubuntu”.
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