South Africa supports expansion of BRICS membership - Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa's support for the expansion of the BRICS group of nations.
Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday evening ahead of the 15th BRICS Summit set to be held in Sandton from Tuesday to Thursday.
South Africa is hosting the summit for the first time since 2018.
Ramaphosa also clarified the country's foreign policy, which has been shrouded in controversy due to South Africa's decision to take a non-aligned position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The expansion of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) grouping is expected to be high up on the agenda at this week's gathering.
China's President Xi Jinping, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are expected in South Africa for the annual three-day summit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to join remotely due to the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him.
Ramaphosa confirmed that more than 20 countries have formally applied to join BRICS, while several others have expressed an interest in joining the formation.
"The value of BRICS extends beyond the interests of its current members," Ramaphosa said.
"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," added Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa also confirmed that more than 30 heads of state and government from across Africa will attend 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," he added.
In addition to the other African leaders in attendance, South Africa has also extended an invitation to 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," said Ramaphosa.
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