The South African Institute of International Affairs recently posted a 16-minute podcast titled "South Africa and Russia: It's Complicated."
The Russia-China relationship generates uncomfortable headlines today. It is based on the strong anti-apartheid position of the Soviet Union. In addition, Vladimir Putin and former South African President Jacob Zuma solidified the ties.
Russia's invasion of Georgia, Crimea, and Ukraine complicated the relationship. South Africa fell back on a policy of non-alignment. By 2022, there was confusion in Pretoria concerning policy towards Russia.
Today, South Africa-Russia trade is negligible and Russian investment in the country is modest. South Africa and Russia, both members of BRICS, agree on the need to revise the world order but not much else.
