{"id":25183,"date":"2026-09-13T08:22:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T02:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=25183"},"modified":"2026-09-13T08:22:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T02:37:16","slug":"cyril-ramaphosa-draws-attention-at-brics-as-media-focus-on-africas-voice-south-south-cooperation-and-multilateralism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=25183","title":{"rendered":"Cyril Ramaphosa Draws Attention at BRICS as Media Focus on Africa\u2019s Voice, South-South Cooperation and Multilateralism<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nDragon Media News Desk<\/strong><\/p>\n

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has emerged as an important African voice at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with international media paying particular attention to his emphasis on African development priorities, South-South cooperation, reform of global governance and a balanced approach to multilateralism.<\/p>\n

South Africa was the first African country to join BRICS after the grouping\u2019s initial formation. For that reason, Ramaphosa\u2019s participation is widely viewed as representing more than one country. Pretoria is seen as an important channel for bringing African priorities in development, infrastructure, industrialization, energy transition, development finance and global representation into the BRICS agenda.<\/p>\n

One of the main reasons for media interest in Ramaphosa is his diplomatic style. South Africa has maintained economic and political ties with Western countries while simultaneously expanding cooperation with China, Russia, India and other countries of the Global South. This has helped position Pretoria as an African power capable of maintaining dialogue across different centers of international influence.<\/p>\n

Ramaphosa\u2019s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi has also attracted attention. The two leaders continued their dialogue within the BRICS framework while emphasizing the importance of bilateral relations and broader multilateral cooperation. Their continued engagement has been seen as a sign of the political continuity of Russia-South Africa relations.<\/p>\n

For South Africa, the economic dimension of BRICS is particularly important. Ramaphosa has consistently emphasized that Africa should not be viewed only as a continent rich in natural resources, but also as an emerging center of industrial production, agriculture, energy, digital development, infrastructure and young human capital. The expanded BRICS framework could create additional opportunities for markets, investment and development finance in these areas.<\/p>\n

South Africa has also placed importance on institutions such as the New Development Bank and their potential role in financing infrastructure, clean energy, transportation, water management and industrial projects across Africa. Pretoria has supported the idea that developing countries should have broader financing options and should not remain dependent on a limited number of traditional financial institutions.<\/p>\n

Reform of global governance is another major issue associated with Ramaphosa\u2019s role. Although Africa\u2019s population, economic relevance and political importance continue to grow, the continent remains underrepresented in several major international decision-making structures. BRICS efforts to strengthen the voice of developing countries in the United Nations, global financial institutions and other multilateral bodies closely reflect South Africa\u2019s foreign-policy priorities.<\/p>\n

Ramaphosa\u2019s presence also highlights the growing African dimension of the expanded BRICS. With countries such as Egypt and Ethiopia joining the grouping alongside South Africa, African representation within BRICS has become broader. This creates more space for issues such as trade, energy, food security, infrastructure, health, technology and industrialization to be addressed from an African perspective.<\/p>\n

Climate change and a just energy transition are also important priorities for South Africa. African countries face the challenge of maintaining economic development while shifting toward cleaner energy systems, which requires adequate financing, technology transfer and capacity-building. South Africa has often shared the broader Global South view that environmental standards should take into account the different stages of development and economic realities of developing countries.<\/p>\n

Another reason Ramaphosa has received positive media attention is South Africa\u2019s view of BRICS as a platform for economic and political cooperation rather than a military or ideological bloc. This approach creates common ground between India\u2019s emphasis on strategic autonomy, China\u2019s focus on development cooperation and Russia\u2019s advocacy of a multipolar world order.<\/p>\n

South Africa has also consistently emphasized dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes. At a time of growing conflict, sanctions, trade tensions and geopolitical competition, Ramaphosa\u2019s balanced language aligns with efforts to keep BRICS focused on practical cooperation rather than rigid bloc confrontation.<\/p>\n

Ramaphosa\u2019s importance in New Delhi is also linked to a broader reality: BRICS cannot credibly claim to represent the Global South without meaningful African participation. With one of the world\u2019s youngest populations, vast natural resources, rapid urbanization and a potentially large future consumer market, Africa is expected to play an increasingly important role in the global economy. South Africa remains one of the key bridges connecting that transformation with the broader BRICS framework.<\/p>\n

While Xi Jinping represents China\u2019s economic and industrial strength, Vladimir Putin reflects Russia\u2019s strategic influence and Narendra Modi projects India\u2019s diplomatic balancing role, Cyril Ramaphosa has brought the development aspirations and multilateral voice of Africa into the center of BRICS discussions. His role may appear different from the great-power diplomacy surrounding the summit, but it is no less important.<\/p>\n

The positive message from New Delhi is that the future of BRICS will depend not only on the strength of its largest members, but also on its ability to incorporate the diverse development priorities of the wider Global South. In that process, Ramaphosa\u2019s balanced diplomacy and Africa-focused development agenda could become an important part of the expanded grouping\u2019s long-term relevance.<\/p>\n

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