Russia’s Priorities In BRICS And Africa
Title: Russia’s Priorities In BRICS And Africa
Event Type: Hybrid
Time: 12:00 – 13:00 (SAST)
Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Venue: 5 Molesey Avenue Auckland Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, (IPATC Offices)
RSVP: Mr. Ofentse Sebasa (IPATC) ofentses@uj.ac.za
Zoom Link: Click here
Description: This discussion explores the intersection of BRICS foreign policies, Russia’s strategic posture, and Africa’s evolving role in a rapidly transforming global order. As the BRICS bloc expands its influence beyond economic cooperation to encompass geopolitical coordination, member states’ foreign policy orientations increasingly shape global governance debates, South–South solidarity, and alternative models of development partnership. Russia’s engagement with Africa—anchored in energy, security, and diplomatic collaboration—illustrates how BRICS actors are redefining their external relations to counterbalance Western dominance while pursuing diversified global alliances. A dialogue on BRICS foreign policies, with particular attention to Russia–Africa relations, is thus critical to assess how these interactions affect Africa’s agency, regional integration, and pursuit of sustainable development. Such engagement provides an opportunity to clarify Africa’s strategic interests within BRICS diplomacy and to consider pathways for a more equitable and multipolar international system.
Ms Zoliswa Ntsoko (South Africa) is the Institute’s Administrative Assistant who assists with general administration and research. She is a seasoned professional with a background in Disaster Management. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Management from Milpark Business School, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management from Regenesys Business School. She also holds certificates in Project Management, and in Disaster Management. Previously, she has worked as a Disaster Management Specialist at the City of Johannesburg – Disaster Management Centre.
Ms Cecilia Lwiindi Nedziwe-Moyo is the Research Coordinator at the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation. She previously served as a Regional Coordinator at the Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa (CPIA) in Zimbabwe between 2007 and 2013. She completed her master’s degree in International Studies, Peace, and Conflict Resolution at the University of Queensland in Australia as a Rotary Peace Scholar. She has just completed her doctoral studies at Rhodes University. Her areas of interest include: gender, foreign policy, regional organisations and conflict resolution.
Ms Thembeka Somtseu is a seasoned professional with a background in the textile and construction sectors. She holds a National Diploma in Business Administration from the Durban University of Technology, and studied Development Communication and Media Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. She worked as a corporate communications specialist for more than ten years, serving in both local and multinational companies.