What is BRIC?
The acronym BRIC refers to a grouping of emerging economies in the developing world comprising of : Brazil, Russia, India and China. The acronym was coined by Goldman Sachs in 2001. Goldman Sachs postulated that these emerging economies were likely to outdo the traditional economic powerhouses by 2040.
From BRIC to BRICS: South Africa’s Inclusion in Elite Group
On the 28th December 2010 the Xinhua news agency reported, in the online article " South Africa's accession to BRIC good for emerging economies: China", the Chinese Foreign Minister’s announcement of South Africa's formal invitation to become a member of BRIC. According to the article, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, considers South Africa’s membership to this group as instrumental in boosting emerging market relations and advancing “the development of BRIC”. Formal accession to BRIC took place on Christmas Eve 2010 .
China is currently the head of BRIC and a number of commentators, such as Salim Fakir, argue that South Africa’s admission to this elite grouping of countries is more a political move than an economic one, which may not necessarily be in the country’s best interest. In Fakir’s 11 January 2011 South African Civil Society Information Service article, "On South Africa Becoming a BRIC: Don't Get a Brick Thrown at You", it is noted that although South Africa’s relationship with individual BRIC countries can be traced back to the anti-apartheid movement and its good international standing, there is still a lot of work that has to be done on the economic front for it be considered a credible partner.
Anthony Butler, in his 07 February 2011 Business Day article "Treat China with caution as well as respect" , warns that although admission into the BRIC group is a significant diplomatic coup for South Africa there is a challenge in that it has "no clear underlying logic” in stark contrast to the India-Brazil-SA (IBSA) forum that it supersedes. Butler points out that the foundation of IBSA was the member commonalities “as large multicultural democracies”. BRIC, on the other hand, is an amalgamation of “two emerging manufacturing giants with three resource and raw material economies.”
Is BRICS Simply a Cog in China’s Foreign Policy Machinery?
In recent years, China has fashioned itself as a “champion” of Africa’s cause. John Battersby, in his article appearing on the Reconnect Africa website, The Beijing Consensus, considers China’s current interest in Africa. Battersby refers to former senior United Nations Official Amir Dossal’s observation that China’s involvement, with regards to developmental assistance, investment and trade, “had made a massive 60% contribution to overall poverty alleviation in Africa.”
However, it must be kept in mind that China does have an enormous population that it is set to grow even further. Demographic pressure including the material demands of economic development mean that China does not have much choice but to foster good relations with countries with abundant supply of raw materials. Battersby notes the opinion of the head of the African Centre for Economic Transformation in Accra, Edward Brown, who contended that in relation to China “ African countries needed a long-term strategy and public policy to develop more value-added manufacturing activities”.
South Africa’s Objective of BRICS Membership
Mills Soko and Mzukisi Qobo, in their 12 January 2001 Tehran Times article, "Creating more walls than Brics ", question the reasoning behind South Africa’s desire to join BRIC . Soko and Qobo highlight that there are issues within the group that could affect South Africa’s “transformative policy agenda” such as the historically contentious relationship between China and India as well as the poor democratic records of China and Russia.
The concerns of analysts such as Soko, Qobo, Fakir and Butler have not been adequately addressed by South African President Jacob Zuma's February 2011 State of the Nation address. Yet, it appears that South African government departments have begun to position themselves to take advantage of the country’s membership. For instance, the Ministry of Agriculture is already in talks to export its Maize surplus to its BRIC counterparts. According to a 22 February 2011 Reuters article, "S.Africa looks to BRIC countries to export maize", the country desperately needs to find markets for its surplus maize produce. The article quotes agriculture minister, Tina Joemat-Petterson, as saying that “[T]he markets that we have developed fall within the ambit of the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China) ... (and) we are convinced that we will be able to export our surplus"
Undoubtedly, it is important that South Africa has a clear strategic plan in order to take advantage of tits deepening ties to much stronger emerging economies. Hopefully at the forthcoming April 2011 BRIC summit ,to be held in Beijing, South Africa’s role and objectives would be clearly defined. Its objectives should be guided by the values and principles enshrined in its constitution and not by the demands of its more influential counterparts.
Odilile Ayodele - Odilile Ayodele is a self-starter, strategic thinker with a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of the ...
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