President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in brazil to participate in xvii brics summit
President Cyril Ramaphosa will, at the invitation of His Excellency Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, attend the XVII BRICS Summit from 6 to 7 July 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
BRICS is a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries from the Global South.
The BRICS Summit theme is “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”. The Summit agenda emphasises the positive role that BRICS can play in shaping a more fair and just multipolar world order and demonstrating global leadership in global health, climate change and AI governance.
The Summit will also explore ways of expanding tangible trade, tourism, investment and financial cooperation within BRICS and with BRICS Partner Countries.
For South Africa, these deliberations will enhance our efforts to further diversify trade and enhance resilience, growth and development.
The Summit will look into synergies between BRICS, COP30 and G20 outcomes, including in global governance of artificial intelligence and prioritising climate finance that is just, accessible and transformational (The Presidency of south Africa 2025)
COMPARATIVE LABOUR RELATIONS: THE BRICS DEBATE
Yong (2012: 3), has argued; Chinese analysts believe that South Africa’s domestic achievements, international reputation and position in Africa afford South Africa as a BRICS member ‘irreplaceable unique advantages’…. South Africa is expected to make a special contribution to the growth of the BRICS mechanism and agenda on issues such as the African agenda, BRICS economic co-operation, reforming global economic governance, and promoting the institution building of BRICS co-operation.
While O’Neill (Naidoo, 2012) steadfastly arguedthat South Africa’s inclusion in BRICS was unacceptable and illogical, in that South African economic growth could not begin to match that of the remaining BRICS members.
Consider the statements above and answer the following questions.
| Number | Question | Marks |
| 1. | Explain in detail the nature and purpose of the BRICS alliance. | 10 |
| 2. | Based on the statements provided above by Yong and O’Neill , construct a critical argument supporting one position on South Africa’s current role in BRICS . | 10 |
| 3. | Discuss how BRICS influences the labour market and affects employment and unemployment trends in South Africa. | 10 |
| 4. | What are the key differences and similarities across BRICS nations in terms of labour relations? | 10 |
| 5. | Analyse the concept and implications of de-dollarization within the context of BRICS. | 10 |
Labour Relations Answers: Expert Answers on Above Questions
Nature and purpose of BRICS Alliance
The brics alliance comprises countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The main purpose of formulating brics alliance is to promote mutual development, strategic cooperation and reform of global governance institutions. It is aimed at challenging the dominance of traditional western powers and promotes economic cooperation in terms of trade and finance. It also aims at fostering inclusive and sustainable development by addressing challenges like climate change, technological governance etc.
Arguments supporting one position on South Africa’s current role in Brics
Position supported: The role of South Africa is unique and irreplaceable according to Yong.
Argument: An analysis of the South African economy indicates that it is not as big as that of China or India in terms of GDP, but it provides geopolitical diversity and strategic influence that plays a crucial role in its inclusion in Brics. The fact that South Africa’s inclusion in the brics is questioned because of being a smaller economy is not justified because of the geopolitical strategic value it plays in representing the entire Africa.
Role of brics in the labour market: Brics plays a crucial role in influencing the labour market in South Africa through multiple channels as it allows for increased trade and investment, skills development and training, industrial growth and in labour migration and policy benchmarking.
| Disclaimer: This answer is a model for study and reference purposes only. Please do not submit it as your own work. |
