The 15th BRICS Summit is set to take place in South Africa. Fikile Mbalula, Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC), stated in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) that the BRICS cooperation mechanism is crucial and has played a practical and effective role in boosting the development of member countries.  

CCTV Reporter Li Tongtong said, at the beginning of this year, South Africa took over the rotating chairmanship of the BRICS from China, marking the start of the Year of South Africa of BRICS. She asked about the significance of the BRICS mechanism in building a multi-polar world.   

ANC Secretary-General Mbalula said, there is a big talk now about BRICS expansion and the industrialization agenda of developing countries. We have seen the positive impact of the New Development Bank in addressing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that the BRICS mechanism has indeed played a role in uplifting the development of member countries.  

China is the largest developing country in the world, and Africa is the continent with the largest number of developing countries. China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future. Mbalula has also mentioned that the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind is entirely consistent with Africa's vision for future development.  

ANC Secretary-General Mbalula said, we share a common vision of achieving common prosperity for all our people, uniting our people closely, and emancipating our people from all forms of oppression, which is a key consensus. We have learned a lot from President Xi Jinping's vision and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era, such as you cannot drive the agenda of socialism without embracing the markets. China is steadfast in this regard. Developing the socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics and building strong state-owned enterprises benefit China's development are also what we need to do. In South Africa, we are striving to build a "developmental state".  

ANC Secretary-General Mbalula said, initiatives proposed by China are significant to the world.  

As the world undergoes rapid changes and enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, countries are calling for international fairness and justice, and people's desire for development and cooperation is becoming more urgent. Mbalula stated that the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping are of great significance to the world today.  

ANC Secretary-General Mbalula said, the Global Development Initiative is very significant to the world. The Global Development Initiative does not only uplift a specific class but all classes; it must ensure equity and justice in the world. Therefore, the Global Development Initiative is in line with our vision for the world, bringing developing countries closer and advocating equal development among all countries. This is crucial for us to achieve our short-term and long-term development goals, and we want to build a world where all peoples prosper together.  

During his visit to China in 2023, Mbalula experienced China's intangible cultural heritage in Yunnan Province. He stated that cultural exchanges will inject new vitality into the development of China-South Africa relations.  

ANC Secretary-General Mbalula said, culture plays a critical role between the two countries, and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and South Africa have already started. We greatly applaud this work between China and South Africa.