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  • Essay / The inclusion of South Africa as a BRICS country

    Many critics question the validity of South Africa's inclusion as a BRICS country. Some believe that South Africa, although an emerging country, is not showing significant overall growth like other African countries such as Nigeria and other sub-Saharan countries (Besada, Tok & Winters, 2013). On May 7, 2014, South Africa hosted “its fifth general elections” (Enca.com, 2014). In his May 7, 2014 article for BBC News, Milton Nkosi reported that although “around 25 million people registered to vote, around half the population” (Nkosi, 2014) voted. Furthermore, Nkosi (2014) states that “the ANC's campaign was largely inspired by its campaign to end apartheid and the outpouring of grief caused by the death of Mr Mandela”. Ironically, after twenty years of democratic rule, the ANC uses history and the loss of a leader as its main ploy to win its campaign. In contrast, Ronnie Kasrils, a former ANC minister, called on people not to vote for the ANC to remind the government “that they must serve the people of the country and not itself” (Nkosi, 2014 ). . Kasrils quoted in Nkosi (2014) told the BBC that “there is a rot that has set in, there is enormous corruption and cronyism”. However, the ANC still won.J. O's (2014) of The Economist aptly reviews the state of South Africa's political, economic and social "dilemma" in his article where he highlights the fact that the ANC, which governed for two decades, has been inadequate in governing and supporting the country. the well-being of its population. For example, O's states that “since the last elections in 2009… there has been a steady increase in violent protests against local government, corruption and poor public services” (O's, 2014). Since 19...... middle of paper ......Site. Wsws.org. Retrieved May 27, 2014 from http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/05/26/safr-m26.html?view=printSmith, D. (2014). ANC glory fades as South Africa's 'born free' generation votes. the Guardian. Retrieved May 28, 2014 from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/25/anc-south-africa-born-free-Generation-electionWeber, R. (2014). “Born frees don't care about elections in South Africa. Usatoday.com. Retrieved May 27, 2014, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/05/06/south -africa-election/8765313/Za.undp.org (2013 404 | UNDP). -2013Zarenda, H. (2013). South Africa's national development plan and its implications for regional development. Retrieved May 21, 2014 from http://www.tralac.org/. ./D13WP012013-Zarenda-South-Africas-NDP-and-imp