BRICS, G20 & THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Forging a path to a shared humanity

- By Cole Jackson with Chloé Maluleke and Sesona Mdlokovana.

In a time of global uncertainty, the call for a fairer world order has never been louder. Traditional systems of cooperation remain dominated by a minority of industrialised nations. The BRICS alliance, G20, and the rise of the Global South could reshape that narrative. Together, they represent a shift toward a multipolar world grounded in shared humanity, dignity, and inclusive development.

BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) was established in 2009, with the explicit aim of reforming global governance and encouraging economic cooperation among emerging powers. Its foundational ethos is one of equality and mutual respect, a stark contrast to the weighted voting systems of traditional institutions, like the UN Security Council. South Africa joined in 2010. The organisation continues to expand, now consisting of 10 official member states.

By ensuring all member states have equal decision-making authority, regardless of economic size, BRICS models a form of partnership built on solidarity rather than subordination.