Ramaphosa details why SA’s foreign policy is important

By: Natasha Archary

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed South Africans on Sunday evening, 20 August, ahead of the 15th BRICS Summit, which will start on Tuesday, 22 August in Sandton, to detail the importance of the country’s foreign policy.

Ramaphosa said SA’s bilateral engagements with China, Brazil, India and Russia, re necessary to shape our foreign policy and inform our international relations.

“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.

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.

This foreign policy approach is also a product of the efforts of leaders such as the late Oliver Tambo who mounted a vigorous worldwide campaign to secure global support for our just struggle against apartheid.

This put South Africa on the global map in relation to the interests of its people whilst the world condemned its apartheid rulers.

Indeed, our foreign policy is a matter that is vital to our progress as a nation.”

Ramaphosa detailed that South Africa has benefitted from international relationships formed through BRICS, worth billions.

The President said in order to further advance the country’s development goals, ties at BRICS need to be honoured to collectively shape global dynamics, and drive significant changes in the world economy.

“Being a BRICS member has created positive opportunities for South Africa.
 
It 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.
 
South Africa has always championed the interests of Africa within BRICS.
 
To further advance the African development agenda, more than 30 Heads of State and Government from across Africa will be attending the summit.”

President Ramaphosa detailed why SA’s foreign policy is important

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