South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) faces criticism from the country’s biggest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA).
A DA member of Parliament, Emma Louise Powell, raised concerns about the costs of hosting the 15th Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) Summit in Johannesburg in August.
South Africa BRICS Summit
In a recent statement, Powell said Dirco spent R104,350,405 on the three-day BRICS summit. Additionally, the South African Police Service (SAPS) reportedly spent R75 million on security measures for the event.
The DA’s reaction to the expenses has sparked a heated debate, But Dirco has hit back saying the party failed to grasp the economic benefits of hosting international conferences.
“While it is true that just over R100 million, as reported by Dirco, was contributed towards the successful hosting of the BRICS Summit, the economic benefits to the City of Johannesburg far outweigh the R100 million Dirco contributed,” said Dirco.
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“Furthermore, businesspeople interviewed on various media platforms expressed satisfaction with the business opportunities generated by the BRICS Summit.”
South Africa, as a member of BRICS, is responsible for hosting the summit every five years.
The government insists the country gained numerous benefits from the event, including strengthening partnerships with fellow BRICS and African countries, supporting the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and boosting trade, investment, tourism, capacity building, skills, and technology transfers.
Over the past five years, South Africa’s trade with BRICS partners has grown by an average of 10%, reaching R830 billion Rand in 2022, accounting for 21% of the country’s global trade.
Dirco has urged the DA and its members to familiarise themselves with the substantial benefits of BRICS membership before making unfounded comments in public.
The controversy surrounding the BRICS Summit expenses continues to generate debate, with Dirco and the DA holding firm regarding the economic benefits and costs of hosting such international gatherings.
