STEVEN KUO: Pretoria should cut its losses and focus on the G20
It should follow the path set by India, which is both pragmatic and principled
There was a minor media frenzy a few weeks ago when it transpired that President Cyril Ramaphosa had not been invited to the Group of Seven (G7) summit next week in Hiroshima, Japan. Much was made of the fact that Prime Minister Kishida Fumio had chosen to invite AU representatives rather than SA.
My Japanese friends will be too polite to say so, but I am free to provide my opinion: I think the ANC sees Japan as a part of the West that supported apartheid. After all, Japanese people were famously classified as “honorary whites” by the apartheid government. It is shortsighted of the ANC to do so, and to align itself with those it sees as fraternal revolutionary movements — the Russians, Cubans and Palestinians — and allow ideology to dictate foreign policy. ..
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.