SA supports expansion of BRICS: Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa supports the expansion of BRICS.

Ramaphosa was addressing the nation from the Union Buildings on Sunday night, on the country’s foreign policy ahead of the 15th BRICS Summit scheduled to kick off on Tuesday.

The President revealed that more than twenty countries have formally applied to join BRICS, with several more having expressed a desire to become members.

He says more than 30 African heads of government and heads of state will be attending the three-day conference.

Leaders from the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East, South Asia and South East Asia have also accepted invitations to attend.

“South Africa supports the expansion of the membership of BRICS. The value of BRICS extends beyond the interests of its current members for its efforts to be 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 desire to have a more balanced global order,” adds Ramaphosa.

The President also re-iterated the country’s stance on non-alignment.

“Our country is committed to a policy of non-alignment. We have resisted pressure to align ourselves with any one of the global powers or with influential blocs of nations. During the ‘cold war’, the stability and sovereignty of many African countries was undermined because of their alignment with the major powers.”

“This experience has convinced us of the need to seek strategic partnerships with other countries rather than be dominated by any other country. While some of our detractors prefer overt support for their political and ideological choices, we will not be drawn into a contest between global powers. Instead, our country strives to work with all countries for global peace and development,” explains Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa’s address below:

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