00:00 Pretoria, in the midst of preparations for the Summit of the Bricks, South African President
00:14 Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the contours of South Africa's foreign policy during a
00:18 captivating speech.
00:19 In a world where great powers seek to establish their influence, South Africa has chosen
00:24 to stand out by a single way, that of non-alignment.
00:27 The head of state has stated that his country would not bend to external pressures to
00:32 hide behind a world superpower.
00:34 "Our country is committed to a policy of non-alignment.
00:38 We have resisted the pressure aimed at aligning us with one of the world powers or
00:43 with blocs that influence nations," he said firmly.
00:46 A historical reminder was evoked by Mr. Ramaphosa, highlighting the consequences
00:52 of alignment during the Cold War.
00:54 Many African countries had then seen their stability and sovereignty compromised by
00:58 political choices dictated by the great powers.
01:01 South Africa has learned crucial lessons from this tumultuous period, understanding
01:06 the importance of maintaining its sovereignty and forging strategic partnerships without
01:10 falling under the domination of another state.
01:11 The South African president has insisted that non-alignment does not mean neutrality in
01:16 any case.
01:17 "Our decision not to align with any of the world powers does not mean that we are
01:23 neutral on the issues of principle and national interest.
01:25 Our non-aligned position exists in parallel to our active support for the struggle of
01:30 the oppressed and marginalized in different parts of the world," he underlined, highlighting
01:35 the subtle nuance of this strategy.
01:37 It is in this context that the Summit of Bricks, composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China
01:43 and South Africa, will take off in Johannesburg on August 22.
01:47 The event promises to be the largest meeting of heads of state and governments in the
01:52 non-Western world to date.
01:53 More than 60 states in the global South, sharing a desire for alternative cooperation and opposing
01:59 the Western domination in various ways, will meet to discuss their common objectives.
02:04 The Bricks' media forum, which recently ended on August 20, was considered a
02:10 general rehearsal for the upcoming Summit.
02:12 Participants unanimously described this group of countries as a credible alternative to
02:17 the current unipolar world.
02:18 The Bricks embody the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation, sovereignty and
02:24 defense of national interests, while refusing to be locked up in a rivalry between
02:28 superpowers.
02:40 (air whooshing)
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