https://en.sputniknews.africa/20260416/zimbabwes-bid-to-join-brics-stronger-rand--women-in-traditional-leadership-1085145802.html
Zimbabwe’s Bid to Join BRICS, Stronger Rand & Women in Traditional Leadership
Zimbabwe’s Bid to Join BRICS, Stronger Rand & Women in Traditional Leadership
Sputnik Africa
This episode of the Nnete Fela Show features a discussion about Zimbabwe’s ramped-up efforts to join BRICS. Additionally, an economist unpacks the reasons... 16.04.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-04-16T12:08+0200
2026-04-16T12:08+0200
2026-04-17T18:17+0200
the nnete fela show
zimbabwe
south africa
johannesburg
brics
southern africa development community (sadc)
podcasts
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07ea/04/11/1085146534_0:67:1280:787_1920x0_80_0_0_b047eb0fa6d2ca5e9beefcc90416cabe.jpg
Zimbabwe’s Bid to Join BRICS, Stronger Rand & Women in Traditional Leadership
Sputnik Africa
This episode of the Nnete Fela Show features a discussion about Zimbabwe’s ramped-up efforts to join BRICS. Additionally, an economist unpacks the reasons behind South Africa’s strengthening rand, and we are joined by an African princess to discuss the role of women in traditional leadership.
Lazarus Sauti, a lecturer and analyst from the University of Zimbabwe, elaborates on the country’s application to join BRICS. Sauti argues that this bid is tied to broader efforts for Zim to rid itself of overreliance on Western financial systems. Sauti notes the advantages of BRICS financing compared to Western institutions suggesting that BRICS financing is expected to have less restrictive conditionalities and allow more policy space for Zimbabwe and the SADC region.Later in the show, Dr. Frederich Kirsten, an economist from the University of Johannesburg, joins us to discuss why the rand is growing stronger amid South Africa’s improved macroeconomic management. Dr Kirsten lists various reasons such as a stable inflation rate, higher gold prices and recent credit rating upgrades.Finally, Princess Nikki Buthelezi explains the role of royal women in South African traditional leadership. She opines about the way traditional women can be a powerful force for combating Western narratives around gender dynamics and leadership.As we wrap up, one thing is clear—there’s a lot more beneath the surface of these conversations than meets the eye.If these questions spark your curiosity, then you won’t want to miss this episode of the Nnete Fela Show.► Listen to all episodes of the Nnete Fela Show.
zimbabwe
south africa
johannesburg
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2026
Seakga Tladi
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e9/0c/1a/1081878001_0:44:960:1004_100x100_80_0_0_a665d048a3c4d9b144a23453dbf66bc8.jpg
Seakga Tladi
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e9/0c/1a/1081878001_0:44:960:1004_100x100_80_0_0_a665d048a3c4d9b144a23453dbf66bc8.jpg
News
en_EN
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Seakga Tladi
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e9/0c/1a/1081878001_0:44:960:1004_100x100_80_0_0_a665d048a3c4d9b144a23453dbf66bc8.jpg
zimbabwe, south africa, johannesburg, brics, southern africa development community (sadc), podcasts, аудио
zimbabwe, south africa, johannesburg, brics, southern africa development community (sadc), podcasts, аудио
Zimbabwe’s Bid to Join BRICS, Stronger Rand & Women in Traditional Leadership
12:08 16.04.2026 (Updated: 18:17 17.04.2026) This episode of the Nnete Fela Show features a discussion about Zimbabwe’s ramped-up efforts to join BRICS. Additionally, an economist unpacks the reasons behind South Africa’s strengthening rand, and we are joined by an African princess to discuss the role of women in traditional leadership.
Lazarus Sauti, a lecturer and analyst from the University of Zimbabwe, elaborates on the country’s application to join BRICS. Sauti argues that this bid is tied to broader efforts for Zim to rid itself of overreliance on Western financial systems.
"The move by Zimbabwe signals our intention as a country to move away from over-relying on Western markets and the conditional finance systems to more liberal and encompassing systems that are being catered for by the BRICS movement," Sauti says.
Sauti notes the advantages of BRICS financing compared to Western institutions suggesting that BRICS financing is expected to have less restrictive conditionalities and allow more policy space for Zimbabwe and the SADC region.
Later in the show, Dr. Frederich Kirsten, an economist from the University of Johannesburg, joins us to discuss why the rand is growing stronger amid South Africa’s improved macroeconomic management. Dr Kirsten lists various reasons such as a stable inflation rate, higher gold prices and recent credit rating upgrades.
"We’ve also seen some internal factors like the stable inflation rate over the last few months […] also looking at some institutional factors like your credit rating upgrades and South Africa being removed from the grey listing. So, I think all of that combined really leads you to this higher-than-expected economic growth of around 1.3, 1,5%. And so those are the factors really contributing, but with the gold price hike […] the precious metal likes prices playing the most vital role in that," Dr Kirsten suggests.
Finally, Princess Nikki Buthelezi explains the role of royal women in South African traditional leadership. She opines about the way traditional women can be a powerful force for combating Western narratives around gender dynamics and leadership.
“Royal women are uniquely positioned to counter external or Western-driven narratives by embodying and projecting an authentic African model of leadership that is rooted in history, culture, and lived reality. In many African societies, women in royal and traditional institutions have long held authority as queens, queen mothers, and regents. And advisors, exercising political, economic, and spiritual influence," the princess says.
As we wrap up, one thing is clear—there’s a lot more beneath the surface of these conversations than meets the eye.
What does Zimbabwe’s BRICS bid really mean for the future of Africa’s global alliances? Is the strengthening rand a sign of lasting economic momentum or just a momentary shift?
And how are women in traditional leadership reshaping the narratives we’ve long taken for granted?
If these questions spark your curiosity, then you won’t want to miss this episode of the Nnete Fela Show.
► Listen to all episodes of the Nnete Fela Show. 
