BRICS Summit: SA Communist Party Leader Talks Ties With Brazil, West's Pressure on Russia

"President Lula is committed to building the unity of the Latin American countries, but also the closer ties with the African continent, because indeed they have got historic ties and shared a number of experiences in the struggle to liberate the poor people in this country," Mapaila said.

"But what is also significant is that he [Lula] is committed to continue the struggle to end capitalism at an international level. He is committed to use the position he has in Brazil to continue the struggle against imperialism," Mapaila noted.

"We [South Africa's Communist Party] certainly are ready to strengthen our relations with our Brazilian counterpart, as you know, in President Lula's coalition of government, he also has a coalition of the Communist Party. [...] He still works closely with both the Communist Party of Brazil, which are also our allies, as well as the Workers Party of Brazil, which of course we also have a relationship with. We participate together at international meetings of communists and workers parties," he stated.

"Russia has been too important for us over the years in the struggle for national liberation, which essentially was the initial struggle against colonialism and imperialism. The current Western threats against the unification of Russia are, perhaps, an important reminder for what Russia should have further done after the disintegration of the Soviet system to build a more unified and multipolar world system and to continue this struggle against imperialism," Mapaila outlined.