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

Ronald Lamola has asserted that the Global South is becoming an increasingly influential force in international affairs and that the BRICS grouping is delivering concrete economic and developmental outcomes rather than functioning as a symbolic political platform. Speaking ahead of the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi, Lamola said the global balance of power is gradually shifting and argued that developing nations are demanding a greater role in shaping global governance and economic systems.

Lamola pointed to the role of the BRICS-backed New Development Bank in supporting South Africa’s infrastructure and development projects. He said the country had secured concessional funding for logistics operations involving Transnet as well as assistance to tackle water-related challenges. According to Lamola, such initiatives prove that BRICS has evolved into an important platform for development cooperation among emerging economies and is helping member countries diversify partnerships during a period of global uncertainty.

Discussing recent disruptions in global trade linked to tariff policies introduced by Donald Trump, Lamola said BRICS nations see the changing geopolitical landscape as an opportunity to strengthen trade ties and reduce dependence on Western-dominated financial systems. While speculation surrounding a possible BRICS common currency has intensified in recent years, he clarified that the bloc’s immediate priority remains expanding trade and encouraging transactions in local currencies rather than creating a unified currency system.

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Lamola also revealed that negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the South African Customs Union were progressing rapidly. If concluded, the agreement would significantly deepen economic cooperation between India and South Africa. He described the bilateral relationship as historically rooted, highlighting the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi’s early activism in South Africa and the strong ties shared between India and Nelson Mandela.

On reforms to global institutions, Lamola strongly backed restructuring the United Nations Security Council to better reflect modern geopolitical realities. Referring to the African Union’s Ezulwini Consensus, he reiterated support for permanent Security Council representation for India, Brazil, and two African nations. He argued that the current structure of global governance no longer reflects the demographic and political realities of the post-colonial world.

Addressing ongoing international conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, and the United States, Lamola called for sustained diplomacy and dialogue rather than military escalation. He said modern conflicts increasingly demonstrate that military victories are difficult to achieve because of technological advancements and global interdependence. Reaffirming South Africa’s non-aligned foreign policy stance, Lamola stated that the country would continue pursuing balanced partnerships with major global powers, including the United States, China, Russia, India, and Japan, while maintaining strategic independence in international affairs.

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