Canada and South Africa dialogue presented by Mcebisi Jonas. Old president Kgalema Motlanthe formed part of the conversation.
Image: Timothy Bernard / ANA Studio
In the face of escalating trade wars and the shifting geopolitical landscape under President Donald Trump's administration, Mcebisi Jonas, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's special envoy to the United States, has advocated for a reinvigoration of multilateralism and collaborative efforts among non-aligned nations, notably Canada.
On Thursday, Jonas, through his Nucleus Institute, hosted a significant discussion on middle power alignment at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton. The event drew prominent figures, including Canada’s High Commissioner to South Africa, James Christoff; Deputy Minister Alvin Botes; former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe; and ANC member Zuko Glodlimpi. They gathered to deliberate the need for coherent strategies to navigate the myriad challenges confronting both South Africa and the broader African continent.
According to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the scope of bilateral relations between South Africa and Canada is extensive, with cooperation extending into the areas of development, energy, science and technology, agriculture, mineral resources, education, arts and culture, and transport.
The department further reveals that the historic bilateral relationship between the G20 (South Africa) and G7 (Canada) member countries dates back to one of the most difficult times in our country’s history and is characterised by a generosity of good spirit. Furthermore, Canada supported the international campaign against apartheid and, following South Africa’s democratisation, it assisted with reconstruction and development efforts. As a result, in honour of the gesture and in recognising Canada’s role in the fight against apartheid, the South African Government awarded former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney with the Order of the Companion of OR Tambo in Gold on 8 December 2015.
Jonas framed his argument around the necessity of a collective mindset among like-minded nations.
"We need faster growth, higher investment, more employment, greater resilience, a capable state, stronger institutions, and a more effective contribution to Africa’s development." He underscored that consistently defending international law is essential, especially for nations that lack the clout or resources of major powers.
In his address, Jonas articulated a vision for practical reforms within key global institutions, emphasising that to stabilise a world fraught with uncertainty, organisations must reflect contemporary realities. "We should support reform of the United Nations, the Bretton Woods institutions, and the multilateral trading system, because institutions that no longer reflect global realities will not be able to stabilise the world," he remarked.
Jonas also encouraged leveraging international platforms like BRICS and G20 to catalyse meaningful advancements in critical sectors including finance, trade, climate, security, technology, and development. His remarks resonated with the audience, highlighting the interconnectedness of these issues affecting both South Africa and its global partners.
Christoff, speaking on behalf of Canada, shared insights about the challenges faced amidst the tumultuous geopolitical changes during Trump's presidency. He said: "The reality we all face and the level of tumult has increased over the years because the institutions that have kept the fabric of our being, have failed."
This reflection underscored the necessity for adaptive strategies as Canada continues to seek transformative economic relationships. “As things stand, we have signed five new trade agreements, and we will be signing new trade agreements across mining, defence, energy and infrastructure projects," Christoff stated.
