President Cyril Ramaphosa undertook a working visit last week to the Kingdom of Spain.
“His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa is this evening undertaking a working visit to the Kingdom of Spain, where he will have an audience with His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain and hold a bilateral engagement with the President of the Government of Spain, His Excellency Dr Pedro Sánchez,” the Presidency stated following the President’s departure on Wednesday night.
In Monday’s newsletter, President Ramaphosa said South Africa’s investment drive does not start and end with the Investment Conferences. “We continue with our outward investment missions in search of new markets and to consolidate existing trade ties. We continue to convene structured business forums on the sidelines of bilateral engagements, including state visits and bi-national commissions. As we have done in the past, we continue to prioritise targeted, one-on-one engagements with investors during international trips,” he said. Bilateral trade between South Africa and Spain grew by 9.7% from US$3.1 billion in 2022 to US$3.4 billion in 2023. Previously, the Presidency stated that there had been steady investment in South Africa by Spanish companies, while South African companies have also looked to Spain as an investment destination in the real estate sector.
More than 150 Spanish companies have invested in South Africa, creating over 20,000 jobs across various sectors.
The President’s primary concern is to strengthen bilateral ties across the board, both within Africa and beyond. The purpose of these ties is to reinforce South Africa’s position in the world and avoid the risk of isolation. The focus is not only on agreements related to investment but also on cooperation regarding international security concerns. President Ramaphosa is in Madrid, Spain, to form alliances with other international actors. His visit follows on the heels of being turned away from the G7 Summit in France, despite receiving an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron. It has been alleged that pressure from Washington played a role. Now, Pretoria is seeking to strengthen commercial ties with Madrid to improve job security at home. At this critical juncture in global affairs, the President intends to meet with investors to bolster South Africa’s standing as a stable centre of influence.
In addition to discussions on investment and employment, President Ramaphosa will also participate in the In Defence of Democracy Initiative alongside other world leaders.
The initiative, In Defence of Democracy, is an international effort initially launched by Brazil and Spain in 2024 to confront the rise of extremism, polarisation and disinformation – phenomena that erode social cohesion and threaten democratic institutions. The first meeting was held in 2024 during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), bringing together countries from different regions and representatives of international organisations, who agreed on the need for permanent coordination to safeguard democratic values.
“In Defence of Democracy” is an initiative led by the conventional political class and elite of the status quo. These are leaders who believe the world is under threat from the reckless unilateral actions of populist figures such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, along with their associates. The hope is to forge new alliances against the excesses and abuses of power by majoritarian despots.
The wars being fought in Ukraine and Iran have become rallying points in international circles, highlighting the tension between bilateral cooperation and unilateral actions. Almost no one desires a return to the doctrine of “survival of the fittest” or the law of the jungle. Only time will tell what agreements will be reached.
For his part, President Ramaphosa remains a stable political leader.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
