The Russian-Ukrainian War: Reimagining South Africa's Role in the Brics in Shaping a New World Order

The 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia had far-reaching effects on the world. It disrupted trade and caused a shift in the global power balance. Western nations responded by imposing sanctions on Russia, but the BRICS countries, such as South Africa, took a different approach. This led experts to predict the emergence of a new global order. This article examines South Africa's role as a member of BRICS in this new order. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions: Can South Africa contribute to shaping the new world order? How can it use its BRICS membership to do so? What challenges and prospects does the new order present for South Africa? The article uses a qualitative approach and document analysis to study policies, press releases, and speeches. It shows that the position taken by South Africa suggests that it supports overhauling the current world order, which is primarily controlled by Western powers who create rules without regard for international law. The article exposes South Africa's belief that the current world order fails to account for new global developments and centres of influence. It concludes that South Africa advocates for a new, fair, and just world order based on international law. To achieve this, the article suggests that South Africa should leverage its regional influence, abundant resources, and developed financial system to establish a BRICS-driven new world order while keeping its national interests clear.