Ramaphosa Kicks Off Southeast Asia Tour in Indonesia
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Ramaphosa's visit to Indonesia aims to showcase BRICS solidarity, but the trip rather highlights the bloc's internal fractures. Behind speeches of "Global South cooperation," China's dominance and conflicting national interests overshadow real progress. Jakarta and Pretoria promise shared prosperity, yet trade imbalances and limited investment persist. Genuine growth depends not on political theatre, but on sound governance, market openness, and stable partnerships with trusted global institutions.
Establishment-critical narrative
Amid persistent Western dominance and unfulfilled promises of "development," South Africa and Indonesia are turning toward genuine and promising South–South cooperation. Their expanding trade ties, joint industrial plans, and shared BRICS+ agenda signal a shift from dependency to self-determined growth among Global South nations. Rather than relying on IMF prescriptions, both nations invest in real production, local industries, and multipolar partnerships that challenge the old global order.
