Cumanana XXIX-ENG

Edition September 2023

Number XXIX

Cumanana E - Newsletter of Peruvian Culture for Africa

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

South Africa's Role in BRICS and its Impact on Peruvian Foreign Policy

Replete with opportunities

Recipe Bobotie

Article 1:

South Africa's Role in BRICS and its Impact on Peruvian Foreign Policy Romina María Bielich Escaró.

Over the past decades, South Africa has emerged as a significant player in the complex web of international relations and global politics, achieving a prominent position in multilateral organizations such as the African Union, the G-77, the Non-Aligned Movement and the G20.

Similarly, its commitment to the principles of social justice and equity within the framework of the United Nations has cemented its role in the international sphere as a nation of extensive diplomatic experience and leadership on matters of global concern such as the Israeli Palestinian conflict, the reconfiguration of the Security Council, provisions to address the adverse consequences of climate change, and the maintenance of international peace and security.

South Africa is also an active, pre-eminent and influential member of the BRICS Group, having chaired the BRICS in 2013, 2018 and 2023. This alliance of emerging markets and developing countries with shared interests in economic and political spheres consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. According to various international institutions such as the Latin American Strategic Center for Geopolitics, together, these five nations contribute substantially to the global gross domestic product, having exceeded 25% in 2022. They also represent approximately 40% of the world's population and account for 16% of the world’s trade.

of multilateralism has been increasingly questioned and there has been growing tension in the commitment to rule-based global systems and institutions. According to Anil Sooklal (2023), South Africa's Ambassador to the BRICS group, South Africans want "to be part of the process to create a more equitable, more inclusive and multipolar global community, where we have equity and fairness in terms of how we conduct ourselves."

Since joining the group in 2010, South Africa has played an indispensable role in consolidating the African continent's influence within the spaces of international exchange by taking the lead in redesigning the architecture of global governance expressed at a time when the effectiveness

From this perspective, the strong South African presence in BRICS is of particular importance for Peruvian foreign policy,developing world."

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Following this line of thought, as Peru recovers from the inflationary difficulties derived from the recent shocks suffered by the global economy and seeks to establish itself as a dynamic economy in constant development, the expansion announced during the XV BRICS Summit (2023) held in Johannesburg presents a new horizon of strategic momentum for Peru.

Given that after the official integration of Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as full members of the BRICS as of January 2024, additional possibilities for multilateral collaboration in an international concert whose forces are fluctuating towards a more diverse and participatory space are in sight for Peru. Particularly, when considering the impact of a greater Latin American presence in the Group, the increase in its participation in the global GDP and in the volume of representation of the world population - reaching 30% of the GDP from the current 26% and 46% of the population, according to an analysis by the State Bank of India (SBI Research).

The leaders of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) announced days ago the admission of six new members, including Argentina, to articulate the "Global South", in the words of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. | Source: AFP

Another area that continues to gain importance in order to achieve a higher level of development and global competitiveness is that of technological modernization and innovation. In this regard, it is important to recognize Peru's potential to strengthen its ties with the members of the BRICS group through, for example, its participation in experiences of technological development and scientific innovation such as the BRICS Young Scientist Forum (YSF). This event preceded the Ministerial Meeting of the XV BRICS Summit in 2023 and brought together 200 master's and doctoral students from BRICS member countries to discuss issues concerning the great social challenges of our time, such as climate change and the future of society.

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As can be seen, it is possible to recognize a wide range of substantive scenarios related to the rise and growth of the BRICS group, which would promote the consolidation of ties with emerging economic powers and contribute to the growth, development, and stability of the international community, at a time when global cooperation is becoming essential. Peru therefore looks forward to the opportunities offered by this multipolar geopolitical configuration.

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Article 2:

SOUTH AFRICA – REPLETE WITH OPPORTUNITIES Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Chile

INVESTMENT South Africa defines itself as an investment-friendly environment and has piqued interest with global investors through increasing engagement and networking. As one of the most open economies in the world (exports and imports collectively represented approximately 51% of GDP in 2020), and with preferential access to numerous global markets, South Africa’s investment drive aims to improve confidence in the country’s economy and achieve balanced, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

With developed first-world economic infrastructure and a growing emerging market, South Africa’s investment potential lies in its diversity of sectors and industries, South Africa is also a major trading nation, exporting and importing billions worth of goods globally every year.

South Africa remains an investment destination of choice for many global corporates, with more than 180 Fortune Global 500 companies having a footprint in the country.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT South Africa is one of the most sophisticated, diverse, and promising emerging markets in the world. Strategically located at the tip of the African continent, South Africa is a key investment location, both for the commercial opportunities within its borders and the potential it offers. It is the principal manufacturing hub and a leading service destination on the continent. South Africa also boasts the largest air and seaports, as well as logistics networks in Africa.

An emerging market with a growing middle class and an affluent population, South Africa has a great deal of business opportunities.

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Quick Facts: Size of the economy: $419bn The South African rand (ZAR) is the currency of South Africa The Global Innovation Index ranks South Africa second in innovation in Africa.

The Global Soft Power Index ranks South Africa 34th out of 120 countries.

The Global Opportunity Index ranks South Africa ranks 50th out of 145 countries.

The International Property Rights Index South Africa ranks 48th out of 129 countries South Africa is the world’s leading producer of platinum group metals, the sixth-largest producer of gold, with more than 100 listed mining companies operational in the country.

TOURISM South Africa is geopolitically distinctive and possesses natural and cultural diversity that supports a globally compelling tourism proposition. Surrounded by two oceans – Atlantic and Indian – South Africa occupies only about 2% of the world’s land area while hosting an impressive 10% of the world’s plants, 7% of the reptiles, birds, and mammals, and 15% of coastal marine species. Let us not forget around 850 species of birds and 300 species of mammals occurring across our landscape.

With an outstanding ecological richness with nine distinct biomes within the country’s borders. These are showcased within five world heritage sites, twenty-two national parks, and hundreds of game and nature reserves.

South Africa’s heritage sites: Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (Cradle of Humankind) Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape Robben Island - Cape Floral Region Protected Areas iSimangaliso Wetland Park Vredefort Dome uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park Khomani Cultural Landscape

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FOOD One of South Africa’s unique offerings is our hearty hospitality and of course, our hearty meals.

This is, without a doubt, one of the reasons South Africa is home to world-renowned chef’s, culinary excellence, and the finest wine in the world.

It has been said that South Africa is a melting pot of cultures, which is evident in the vast culinary experiences. South Africa’s cuisine is a unique fusion of various external cultural influences, including Dutch, French, Malaysian and Indian flavours. Everything from Pap and Mogodu, to traditional Cape Malay Roti.

SPORTS South Africa is among a few countries that have participated in World Cups of all three major and arguably most popular sports – cricket, football, and rugby.

South Africa has also hosted a number of international sports meetings such as the 1996 African Cup of Nations, 2003 Cricket World Cup, the 2007 World Twenty20 Championship, the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the2023 Netball World Cup, making it the first African country to ever host the FIFA World Cup. Our sportsmen and women have proven countless times why we are retaining World Champion status in green, gold, and white.

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Recipe: Bobotie Ingredients 1 onion 1 teaspoon curry 100 ml olive oil 2 loaves of bread 1 cup of milk A handful of sultanas A handful of chopped almonds 2 eggs 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Preparation Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Pour the milk into a shallow dish and soak the bread in the milk. Then squeeze the excess milk out of the bread and reserve the milk.

In a separate pan fry the diced onion until soft for about 2 to 3 minutes, then add the minced meat, lemon juice, almonds, sultanas, curry, bread, salt and pepper, 8 to 10 minutes.

Whisk together the reserved milk, egg and a pinch of salt and pour over the meat mixture. Then remove the mixture from the pan and pour into the baking tin and bake in the oven for 1 hour.

Salt and pepper

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