Russia and South Africa’s ANC became friends during the Cold War. Russia supported the ANC’s fight against apartheid. Even though things have changed a lot since then, their friendship is still strong. In 1991, Russia’s old group, the Soviet Union, fell apart. This made Russia more focused on its own country. In South Africa, apartheid ended, and democracy came. The ANC was seen as a hero worldwide because of this.
Experts trying to make sense of the unusual partnership propose that the differences in their beliefs are held together by shared history and personal connections. However, there are probably unspoken reasons for their cooperation as well.
Political commentator Sandile Swana described their alliance as a friendship formed through both common experiences and conflicts.
From a political standpoint, their pairing is quite unconventional, as noted by Steven Gruzd from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).
Last year, people closely watched the relationship between the ANC (South Africa’s ruling party) and the Kremlin (Russia’s government), especially when South Africa didn’t criticize Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Some thought this showed they supported Russia.
More criticism came up as a summit with big countries was approaching. People wanted South Africa to promise they’d arrest Russia’s President Putin because he was wanted by a court for the war. South Africa’s President Ramaphosa had a hard time deciding what to say.
Eventually, he said Putin wouldn’t come to the summit. In June, Ramaphosa tried to bring peace by visiting Ukraine and Russia, even though it didn’t work well, it helped him look more fair and neutral.