South Africa must be pragmatic about BRICS

The research paper argues that while South Africa does not fit the original economic profile of the Brics, its political influence justifies its membership. It suggests the group focus on mutual learning, trade facilitation, and financial cooperation while cautioning South Africa to prioritize pragmatism over ideology, maintain strong bilateral ties, and leverage its role as a political gateway to Africa.

• South Africa does not meet the original economic criteria for the Bric grouping established by Jim O’Neill in 2003, which focused on fast-growing economies with large middle classes likely to surpass G7 nations by 2040. However, the author argues that South Africa's value in the group is political, as the country exerts significant influence in global governance forums such as the G20, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the World Trade Organisation.
• The Brics face challenges in forging a common agenda due to divergent economic and political interests, particularly regarding the relationship between states and citizens. The author suggests that the group should focus on mutual learning in three areas: varying approaches to economic development (balancing markets and the state), the facilitation of trade by removing non-tariff barriers like visas and customs procedures, and financial co-operation, including the use of local currencies and the linking of stock exchanges.
• Regarding the proposed Brics development bank, the author asserts that it should be established based on a clear case for adding value and complementing existing regional development financial institutions, rather than being created simply to challenge the World Bank.
• The author advises that South African policymakers adopt a pragmatic rather than ideological approach to the Brics. This includes maintaining bilateral relations with each member as the primary axis for pursuing interests, remaining open to allying with G7 countries when it serves the national interest, and continuing to act as a political 'gateway' to the African continent through consultative efforts with neighbors.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2012). South Africa must be pragmatic about BRICS. https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-must-be-pragmatic-about-brics/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. South Africa must be pragmatic about BRICS. 2012. https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-must-be-pragmatic-about-brics/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=South Africa must be pragmatic about BRICS |date=29 October 2012 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-must-be-pragmatic-about-brics/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2012south, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{South Africa must be pragmatic about BRICS}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2012}, month = oct, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/south-africa-must-be-pragmatic-about-brics/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }