BRICS Summit in South Africa
The annual BRICS Summit is taking place in Johannesburg this week. With an expected 40 heads of state jetting into the country, the eyes of the world will be on South Africa.
Single BRICS currency is ‘a very long-term project’ says Dirco official
However, the official did confirm to Parliament that BRICS was working to increase trade among its members in their own currencies.
BRICS Summit 2024 — everything, everywhere, all at once as bloc appears to stray from its core business
Ushering in a multipolar order requires a streamlined and coherent political agenda – not unfocused expansion
Art installations at the Pyramids of Giza, and more from around the world
Moving, surprising, inspiring, terrifying, shocking … This is a selection of images from our planet, from the past three days.
US, G7 close to finalising $50bn loan to Kyiv; North Korean involvement in war would escalate conflict – Nato chief
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday that G7 and European Union allies were ‘very close’ to finalising a $50bn loan to Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets, with an expected US contribution of about $20bn.
2024 BRICS Summit to be chaired by Russia — Fairer global order or bigger Putin support group?
This month’s BRICS Summit should indicate the club’s future direction, which could see the three original democracies distancing themselves.
How Russia uses education as effective influential soft power tool to gain ground in Africa
We investigate how Russia uses arts, education and scientific collaborations as strategic tools to amplify its influence across Africa.
SA’s fickle foreign policy means it has no principled approach towards global crises
Why has South Africa applied one standard to Russia and another to Israel? To take it a step further, why is South Africa withdrawing diplomats from Israel but working hard to strengthen relations with Iran?
Show Xi the money – the Chinese maths of State Capture 2.0
This new State Capture variant is all about walking the legal tightrope to extract legal rents while handing over sovereignty to China.
Part 5: Foreign policy after the BRICS Summit and Ukraine – making South Africa strong again
In 2017, Pravin Gordhan urged South Africa to ‘join the dots’ between corruption and the Zuma administration. John Matisonn joins those dots in this eight-part series. In this instalment, he spells out that, for too long, South Africa’s foreign policy has failed to prioritise its national interests and its constitutional values.
South Africa at the G20 — it’s about more than just the ‘vibes’
South Africa and India have democratic systems capable of upholding and promoting human rights and being responsive to populations. Both countries’ leaders ought to bring that perspective to the G20 Summit.
The truth? It’s been downhill for South Africa since we joined BRICS
It doesn’t help if you desperately need to reform corrupt old state enterprises into modern, competitive entities to while away the time with countries that hold old-world statist views on economic development.
Epidemic preparedness must address gender inequalities if we want improved health outcomes
Often, women bear the brunt of health crises owing to pre-existing gender inequalities which compound the vulnerability of women and girls. It is also well-known that during public health emergencies, girls and women tend to experience higher risks of gender-based violence.
South Africa’s renewable energy odyssey — a call for leadership beyond the BRICS Summit
South Africa lost an opportunity for influence and change at the BRICS Summit. By championing renewable energy and advocating a global renewable target going forward, we can address our energy crisis and the impending climate catastrophe. The challenge is vast, but so is our potential.
Panel finds no evidence of arms loaded on to Lady R, claims Ramaphosa – but will still keep the full report secret
An independent panel has found no evidence that weapons were loaded on to the Russian cargo vessel the Lady R, President Cyril Ramaphosa said. But the panel’s report won’t be released to the public, he added.
Expansion of BRICS has serious negative implications for Africa’s climate goals
It is not just the focus on fossil fuels that the new BRICS countries bring that is alarming. Several of the new states have appalling human rights records which has a chilling impact on the ability of environmental activists to operate safely.
Saudi Arabia’s inclusion in BRICS+ bodes well for South Africa’s agricultural exports
It is important for a country like South Africa to push for geographic diversification of trade, especially in light of intensifying geoeconomic tensions and growing protectionism in traditional markets.
BRICS+ countries with contrasting, opposing values and political systems may see cooperation falter
Will an expanded BRICS precipitate a new international order, or collapse under the weight of its internal contradictions?
Expanded BRICS likely to see nations dancing to China’s tune — with South Africa ceding influence
Will the inclusion of six new members in BRICS last week strengthen multipolarity or bipolarity?
The promises and acute problems of BRICS+
Most of the countries in BRICS have much more important things to think about than BRICS, a problem made even more acute now with the slew of new partners beset by their own pressing concerns.
Enoch Godongwana: Unseating the mighty dollar is a non-starter
South Africa’s finance minister, who also leads his counterparts in Brazil, Russia, India and China, believes that the mooted development of a BRICS common currency is a non-starter. The US dollar still has a firm place in the global economy.