The results of the general elections in South Africa will in no way affect the nature of relations with Russia, and they will continue to develop in a friendly manner, South Africa's Ambassador to Russia, Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka, told Russian media.
"Our countries will always develop relations on a friendly basis. Following the election results, we have not yet completed the processes of forming a new government, but I am confident that the foundations of our relations will remain the same. The key directions of South Africa’s foreign policy towards Russia will remain; they are too deeply rooted in history," he said on the sidelines of the forum.
In February, Maqetuka admitted that South Africa could change its foreign policy course and leave BRICS if the opposition came to power after the presidential elections. However, on June 14, Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected as head of state following the results of the May 29 general elections.
Last week, the Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Ramaphosa on his reelection during a phone call, and both leaders expressed their desire for their countries to keep working together to further solidify their strategic cooperation.