Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, says her department has achieved major success, through its economic diplomacy, to sell South Africa as an investment destination abroad.
Speaking during her department’s budget vote in the National Assembly, Pandor claims that many countries are beginning to show interest in South Africa and are asking about investment opportunities.
BRICS benefits
South Africa is currently the chair of BRICS and will host its summit in August. Pandor says the country has already benefitted from its membership in this block.
On the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Pandor expresses hope that this will be resolved through negotiations. She points out that this war is wreaking havoc on the international economy, which has impacted poor countries, including South Africa.
Possible Putin’s arrest
While Pandor did not address the issue of the possible arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin should he attend the summit in August, others, like the chair of the portfolio committee Supra Mahumapelo were not as constrained.
“The Presidency has established an inter-ministerial committee to provide the necessary political illumination and guidance on the correct legal, moral and political approach to be followed on among other things the domestication of the Roman Statutes… we cannot afford the anti-BRICS, afrophobic and afro-pessimists who determine our destined want to defocus us by imposing the responsibility of arresting President Putin on us.”
Emma Powell of the Democratic Alliance called the African National Congress’s stance on Putin “hypocritical” as it goes against the principles of international solidarity that saw countries of the world rally against apartheid.
VIDEO | Minister Pandor says BRICS bank benefited SA in tackling its energy needs:
