In a frank interview with the Saturday Star, an upbeat ANC Women's League Secretary General Nokuthula Nqaba said the time is now for South Africa to strengthen relations with China and Russia instead of sucking up to Ukraine.
The ANC Women’s League made headlines this week, voicing strong support for SA historic relations with Russia and China amid ongoing tensions with the Democratic Alliance (DA) within the Government of National Unity (GNU).
"Forums such as BRICS are a progressive step towards the economic development of the countries in the global South, free from Western imperialism that has consistently hijacked domestic economies over the centuries, leaving Africans in absolute poverty and dire distress," Nqaba said.
Nqaba expressed concern over what she described as the DA's “political tantrums,” alleging that these antics vindicate the ANC’s long-held belief that the DA does not prioritise the needs of marginalised communities.
“However, the ANC will not be deterred by DA shenanigans and will proceed with the transformation agenda through the GNU arrangement, with or without the DA,” Nqaba declared emphatically, signalling the ANC's unwavering commitment to its political agenda, irrespective of opposition pressures.
Nqaba also took the opportunity to affirm the ANC's historic ties with Russia and China, asserting that the party feels no need to apologise for relationships with nations that provided substantial assistance during South Africa’s struggles against colonialism and apartheid.
She stated, “All those who rebut the country’s relationship with both countries were on the side of the ‘enemy’ during the country’s darkest days.”
Highlighting the significance of BRICS as a strategic economic bloc, Nqaba stressed that it operates on principles of mutual investment and benefit.
She characterised BRICS as a necessary counter to what she termed "Western imperialism," which often places enormous financial burdens on developing countries, leaving them with little economic development.
Addressing the role of Western nations and their involvement in South Africa’s sovereignty, Nqaba noted that the country does not intend to foster international enemies.
“We currently have good relations with both Ukraine and America; however, we do not involve ourselves with anything that infringes on the sovereignty of any nation-state,” she explained.
Former ANC and Women’s League member Phaphano Pasha said that the DA, like any political party, is merely executing its mandate while safeguarding the interests of its constituents.
“The onus is on the ANC to stand firm on its policy positions and not the DA. If the ANC vacillates, it demonstrates that the DA is in charge of the GNU, which questions their rightful membership in it,” Pasha articulated.
Pasha acknowledged the historical significance of the ANC's relationships with Russia and China, noting that the support provided by these nations during apartheid included financial, military, and institutional assistance.
“Many ANC leaders received education in these two countries during the dark days of apartheid, and some leaders like JB Marks and Moses Kotane died in Russia in the 1970s,” she recalled.
When discussing BRICS, Pasha emphasised the importance of extracting genuine benefits from these partnerships, particularly from a trade perspective.
“BRICS countries have their own unique challenges; however, it is instrumental that they play a big brother role to South Africa and other countries in the global South, especially regarding investments and economic diversification.
“African countries in particular cannot continue having relationships that simply seek to extract minerals from the continent without adding any substantive value,” she concluded.
Saturday Star