South Africa Minister: BRICS Delivers Concrete Results, Global South Rising

South African Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola, during his first visit to India for the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting in New Delhi, asserted that the bloc is delivering tangible results rather than mere political symbolism. He highlighted concrete financial support from the New Development Bank for South Africa’s logistics and water sectors. Lamola emphasized strengthening trade ties and reducing dependence on Western financial systems, though he clarified that a common BRICS currency is not an immediate priority. Instead, focus remains on local currency settlements and advancing free trade agreements, including ongoing negotiations with India. The minister firmly rejected reports of South Africa’s potential exclusion from the G20, affirming its founding member status and criticizing US absence at previous summits. He also advocated for UN Security Council reform to include permanent seats for India, Brazil, and African nations, reflecting post-colonial demographics. Amidst global conflicts, Lamola urged diplomatic engagement over military solutions, reaffirming South Africa’s non-aligned stance. He stressed the deep historical bonds between India and South Africa, noting growing trade in agricultural exports like citrus, and declared the rise of the Global South as an unstoppable force shaping future multilateralism.