“As host of the fifth BRICS Summit in 2013, South Africa’s summit theme resonates with African development priorities. The theme,
‘BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Development, Integration and
Industrialisation’, corresponds with South Africa’s approach to Africa. South Africa’s foreign policy narrative on Africa reflects a country in search of a leadership role in Africa. The campaign for BRICS membership
was run on a ‘gateway to Africa’ narrative, and South Africa’s BRICS membership seems to derive its legitimacy from this self-imposed
‘leadership’ role on the continent. The summit theme is appropriate, given the increasing levels of BRICS–Africa engagement. It also serves to make the summit a moment of truth for what South Africa can realistically
achieve for Africa through its BRICS membership. The policy briefing explores how the BRICS group can best be leveraged to ensure tangible developmental benefits for South Africa and for Africa as a whole.”
