South Africa has made a new commitment to industrialize, re-industrialize, transform and establish a capable state through economic growth based on constitutional principles aimed at building a better future for all. This was the message given by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) Parks Tau on Friday, during his virtual participation in the eight meeting of BRICS ministers of Industry.
The gathering was part of a series of BRICS meetings that Russia is hosting in preparation for the BRICS Summit that takes place in Kazan, Russia, in October. Tau stressed that while SA continued to support more traditional sectors, the country must look towards the future of industry to ensure South Africa’s economy was future proof. “To address historical structural inequalities, unemployment and poverty, there is a consensus among the social partners that we have to mobilise all our resources and efforts in economic activities intended for a sustainable recovery trajectory,” he said. “Economic recovery also means cooperation for a stronger, greener, and healthier global system. We would like to see partnerships that contribute positively to increase South Africa’s manufacturing production and output and extending into the region of the African continent.”
South Africa has a long way to go harness all its resources (and I mean all resources) to improve its economy. The major reason why South Africa is even in BRICS is because it is meant to give a foothold to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and access to the lucrative resources of the Southern African market to the major economies of BRICS. Russia by hosting these BRICS meetings to obtain information and data on what each member country wants from the upcoming Summit. Moscow is still heavily involved in waging the war against Ukraine. This could cast a shadow over the summit although most of the member states of BRICS + and the developing world have either sided would Russia or remained neutral. Pretoria for its part remains neutral.
South Africa as a signatory of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) wants to become a centre of international free trade.
Tau also emphasised that South Africa must promote digital industrialisation, and the emerging technologies to address the digital divide and ensure shared benefits of digitisation. “Together we face the next face of evolution of the digital and gig economy, which confirms the importance for industries to further digitise and take advantage of the next wave of technological progress and innovation,” the minister said. “Industry 4.0 has brought forth opportunities for businesses to enhance their competitiveness through the adoption of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and the Internet of Things,” Tau said. At the conclusion of the meeting, the adoption of the joint statement by the BRICS ministers underscored a shared vision for a stronger, greener, and more interconnected global economy.
South Africa is looking to re-industrialize itself and improve its economy through engaging would other major economies to learn from their experiences. When minister Tau is referring to Industry 4.0, he is referring to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) which is the introduction and manufacturing of advanced technologies such as robotics, AI and connectivity of all things digital. All of this can happen through the process of digitalization. When we talk about digitalization, we are talking about having access to cell phones (particularly smart phones), computers and I pads. All this is referred to as the Internet of things. The discussion of the “green” aspect of technology refers to environmental orientated and friendly technology. These are solar, wind and hydropower. The government while harnessing the benefits of trade from the 4IR and BRICS through the exchange of ideas and business agreements hopes to increase South Africa’s prosperity.
This year, Russia is chairing the association. The main event of 2024 for BRICS will be the summit to be held in Russia’s Kazan in October. The policy of the South African authorities towards the BRICS will not change with the creation of the government of national unity, the Director General of the South African Foreign Ministry, Zane Dangor, said at a briefing. He noted that Pretoria is preparing for participation in the BRICS summit, which will be chaired by Russia. South Africa’s priority in the BRICS remains to ensure the economic growth of the countries in the association, the diplomat stressed. Earlier, South African Presidential Spokesman Vincent Magwenya told Russian media that the head of state, Cyril Ramaphosa, will arrive in Russia for the BRICS summit to be held in Kazan in October.
The government of national unity in South Africa was established on June 30 after the elections held in May.
The summit to be held in Kazan will be closely watched by the rest of the world as the kremlin continues its war in Ukraine. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in South Africa which has the second largest number of ministers in the Government of National Unity (GNU) will in particular be watching the policies being formulated in Kazan. It could never be pleased that three of the founding original BRICS members (Russia, India and China) are authoritarian governments. The DA and other political parties in the coalition concerned with transparency and accountability will be weary of the agreements being made between Pretoria and the other administrations. The DA hasn’t done much to stand up for human rights in Palestine so its unlikely they will be taken seriously by the ANC which controls the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation as well as Trade, Industry and Competition. It is likely many partners in the coalition will press for a deal that will be of benefit to South Africa.
All eyes should be on how the BRICS summit plays out.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
