BRICS summit an opportunity to showcase SA’s economic potential: SAUBC

The President of the South African United Business Confederation (SAUBC), George Sebulela, says the upcoming BRICS Summit is an opportunity to showcase South Africa’s economic potential and its role within the global economy.

 South Africa will host the BRICS head of states at the two-day sitting in Sandton, in Johannesburg, from the 22nd to the 24th of August.

 Speaking to Ynews, Sebulela reiterated that the country can leverage the occasion to promote investment in important sectors such as infrastructure, technology, and sustainable energy.

 He says it’s the right time for global politics to put Africa on the map.

“It also underscores South Africa’s status as a key player in the BRICS alliance in ensuring that we contribute and shape policies that drive sustainable development of South Africa and Africa in a broader sense.” 

“It’s the right time for global politics to put South Africa and Africa on the map.”

Sebulela insists that in these discussions there’s a need for more practical implementations. 

“If South Africa or Africa want to position themselves, we want to see an outcome where these big economies can commit to the likes of Africa.” 

He says it’s important to see what the other countries are committing to in aiding Africa to become an industrialised continent. 

“In terms of technology, there is a lot of technology that is much advanced in other countries in the BRICS, which begs the question of how much are they going to share with emerging countries such as South Africa.” 

 Sebulela says access to financial services for South Africa such as the new development bank is among some of the key issues we will be looking out for at the summit. 

Earlier this week, International Relations Minister, Naledi Pandor, announced that it’s all systems go for the 15th BRICS Summit. 

This will be the first BRICS summit to be held in person since the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world IN 2020. 

It has, however, been marred by uncertainty which ultimately led to Russian President, Vladimir Putin, pulling out from attending following an ICC warrant against him. 

The EFF has since called on other BRICS leaders to boycott the meeting. Article by Lindiwe Mpanza