The International Russophile Movement’s forum in Johannesburg, South Africa really hit its stride on Day 2 when the titular topic of the event “African Unity in a Multipolar World” was discussed by a brought panel of true experts on all issues related to the continent. The discussion went smoothly with international media listening to every word.
The Russian Embassy co-hosted the Day 2 round table attended by activists of the Russophile movement from across the globe, South African experts on pan-Africanism, politics and economics, media, and culture.
General Secretary of the SACP Solly Afrika Mapaila, as well as members of the ANC NEC Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Ms. Lindiwe Zulu took part in the event as speakers and guests of honour.
Ambassador-designate of Russia to South Africa H.E. Mr. Roman Ambarov opened the event by outlining the movement’s contribution to preservation and strengthening of the traditions of friendship and mutual respect that connect Russians with other nations.
‘The International Russophile Movement once has brought together people from different parts of the world. The fact that these events are held in South Africa is especially important. Being Russia’s strategic partner, longtime friend and a close ally in BRICS, South Africa is one of the leaders of the African continent,’ Roman Ambarov noted.
Every day it becomes more and more clear that we are moving towards a Multipolar World with many in the Collective West itself either joyfully or begrudgingly accepting this emergent reality. On a daily basis the partnership between BRICS players like Russia, China and India is discussed by geopolitical wonks across the planet, however Africa can at times be left out of these conversations, which is cause for dismay. Sub-Saharan Africa is quietly massive. It has a large population, plentiful resources and a gigantic amount of territory when viewed from a grand scale. The rough terrain and geopolitical disadvantages that have held Africa back are being shed of and overcome as we speak by modern transportation and a new mindset breaking free from colonialism can be seen in the hearts, minds and faces of the younger generations. So what is the role of this new different and exciting Africa in our Multipolar World? Well, that was the big topic for the discussion.
Although a very broad range of views were expressed some core topics touched on by multiple guests were:
-The Necessity of Pan-African Unity
-The Profound Decolonization of African Consciousness
-The Potential of the Fourth Political Theory for Africa
These points will be continued to be discussed even beyond our forums as Africa in a Multipolar World cannot be “built in a day”.
Here are all of those who were kind enough to give us their time and energy to participate…
H.E. AMBAROV ROMAN – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of South Africa and part-time to the Kingdom of Lesotho
DR. NKOSAZANA CLARICE DLAMINIZUMA – Member of the ANC National Executive Committee, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa
SOLLY AFRIKA MAPAILA – General Secretary of the SACP
DR. ANDRE THOMASHAUSEN – Entrepreneur
SIKELELA MGALAGALA – Entrepreneur, Activist, Graduate of the Belarusian State Agrarian University
MACHERE ROSE SEUTLOALI – Head of the Northern Agricultural Hub of Lesotho
GEORGY KOCHUKOV – Chairman of KSORS South Africa, Entrepreneur
PROF. CHRIS LANDSBERG – South African National NRF Chair: AfricanDiplomacy and Foreign Policy in the Faculty ofHumanities, University of Johannesburg (UJ)
DR. NONKULULEKO MANTULA – SA News Representative
MR DAWIE ROODT – Chief Economist of the Efficient Group
MR. GUSTAVO DE CARVALHO
ADV.SIPHO MANTULA – Thabo Mbeki School of International and Public Affairs, UNISA
ESCOBAR PEPE – Geopolitician, journalist, Specialist in Global Economics and International Eelations
CHAUPRADE AYMERIC – Politician, Writer, Political Scientist, Professor andAssociate Professor of Geopolitics at universities andmilitary academies in France, Switzerland, Morocco and Tunisia. One of the most famousexperts on geopolitics in today’s France. Author ofseveral fundamental works on geopolitics andgeohistory
MC KINNEY CYNTHIA – Former American politician. As a member of theDemocratic Party, she served six terms in the USHouse of Representatives
ZHANG WEIWEI – Professor at Fudan University, director of the ChinaInstitute (Shanghai). Xi Jiangping’s favoritepolitical scientist, the CCP’s leading expert onInternational Relations
NDIAYE SOULEYMANE Deputy Secretary General of the International Russophile Movement
SHERIF HASSAN GED – Activist of the International Russophile Movement
AMADOU SEKOU GAMBIA – Activist of the International Russophile Movement
DR. MOLEBOHENG MOHAPI – Acting CEO of Ditsong Museum
MR. MAX BOQWANA – Office of former President Thabo Mbeki
AYANDA HOLLOW – President of TV BRICS AFRICA
LINDIWE ZULU – Former Minister of Social Development of South Africa
DAWIE ROODT