A stronger South Africa – Russia partnership will be realised not through mere rhetoric but through deliberate, strategic alignment founded on trust, shared values, and a mutual commitment to navigating the challenges and opportunities of a multipolar world.

       The relationship between South Africa and Russia is a complex interplay of historical memory, ideological solidarity, and evolving geopolitical interests. Rooted in the Soviet Union’s support for the African National Congress (ANC) during the anti-apartheid struggle, the foundations of this partnership were shaped by a shared commitment to anti-colonialism and resistance to Western imperialism. This early ideological alignment forged a sense of political camaraderie that endured well beyond the Cold War. However, in the post-apartheid and post-Soviet eras, the nature of the relationship has shifted – becoming increasingly pragmatic and shaped by strategic considerations sometimes interpreted as deep-rooted ideological kinship.

       In recent years, South Africa and Russia have found common ground in global forums such as BRICS, which both states use as platforms to challenge Western dominance and advocate for a more multipolar international order. This alignment reflects mutual dissatisfaction with the current global governance architecture and a desire to assert greater agency on the world stage. Yet, despite this symbolic and diplomatic convergence, economic ties between the two countries remain relatively weak, raising important questions about the structural depth and longterm sustainability of the partnership.

       Moreover, as global power dynamics continue to shift – with Russia adopting a more assertive posture globally and South Africa reaffirming its policy of non-alignment – new avenues for cooperation have emerged alongside underlying global tensions. These developments underscore the importance of revisiting the historical roots of the relationship to understand its current trajectory and future potential.

       This paper argues that the South Africa – Russia relationship, while anchored in a shared past, is increasingly shaped by the strategic imperatives of a changing world order. Through a chronological and thematic analysis, the paper explores how both countries navigate their historical legacies, ideological frameworks, and contemporary challenges in pursuit of a partnership that seeks to balance the symbolic nature of the past with the refi nement of their strategic partnership under an uncertain global future.

       Report_South Africa and Russia

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