The Brief, No. 39
05 January 2022
It is certainly going to be a hectic year for President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa. South Africa takes over the rotational presidency of BRICS in 2023. BRICS has important projects on hand including the development of New Development Bank formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank.
Importantly, this year, BRICS will also have to deal with potential membership applications of countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran and many others that have indicated to join BRICS. Being the president of BRICS in 2023 will certainly be complicated for Ramaphosa as the war in Ukraine rages following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022.
However, it will not only end there for Ramaphosa:
- South Africa is heading for national elections in the first quarter of 2024. Therefore 2023 will be essentially a campaigning year for Ramaphosa.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has undertaken to renew his political party, the governing ANC following a divisive conference in December 2022
- The President has also undertaken to continue with his political and economic reform agenda and his fight against corruption.
- Ramaphosa is also under pressure to reshuffle his cabinet and fill a vacant position within his cabinet
- Moreover, Ramaphosa is committed to the promotion of Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in South Africa. JETP is a legacy project, he would like to see its implementation and success before the end of his tenure as the president of ANC.
Afrasid is available for comment and analysis