South Africa and BRICS: political and economic aspects of cooperation under the Jacob Zuma administration

Relevance. The accession of the Republic of South Africa to the BRIC group in 2011 significantly increased the attention to this association from other international organizations and leading economic powers. The article discusses the prerequisites for the decision by the administration of South African President Jacob Zuma (2009-2018) to join the BRIC, the political and economic aspects of South Africa's relations with partners in the group during the presidency of J. Zuma.
The purpose of the study is to identify the political and economic reasons for the accession of South Africa to the BRIC association.
The Objectives of the research are: analysis of the main vectors of interaction between South Africa and the BRICS countries under Jacob Zuma; determination of the foreign policy rhetoric of South Africa at the time of accession the BRIC; analysis of South Africa's bilateral relations with Russia and China; comparison of South African trade with the BRICS countries under Jacob Zuma.
The research methodology is based on analysis and synthesis as general research methods. The structuralfunctional method and comparative political analysis were also used. Through the structural-functional method, the links between the political actors of South Africa in the framework of cooperation with the BRICS countries were revealed. Comparative political analysis made it possible to identify the features of South Africa's foreign policy rhetoric during the period of joining the BRIC and the nature of South Africa's bilateral relations with Russia and China.
Results. The foreign policy rhetoric of South Africa is defined as one of the motives for joining the BRIC group. The lobbying approach of South Africa in its relations with Russia and China in the framework of accession the BRIC has been revealed. Aspects of South African trade with the BRICS countries under Zuma are considered; it is established that from a trade point of view, China is South Africa's key partner in the BRICS group.
Conclusion. The accession of South Africa to the BRIC group in 2011 allowed Pretoria to significantly increase its international status and secure the role of a "regional power" in the emerging new world order, to strengthen its position as a representative of the African continent. In the process of joining the BRIC, the main goals of South Africa's foreign policy were reflected - strengthening the status of Africa's regional leader.

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