Author: Sanusha Naidu, Human Sciences Research Council

This year has certainly started off on a high note for South Africa’s foreign policy ambitions. Assuming its two-year non-permanent rotational seat on the United Nations Security Council and becoming the fifth member of BRIC, it is clear that the charm offensive of President Zuma’s 2010 BRIC foreign policy diplomacy has paid off.

Of course for some analysts, like Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill, South Africa was not seen as a suitable candidate. O’Neill is recorded as saying: ‘It is not entirely obvious to me why the BRIC should have agreed to ask South Africa to join. Read more…