03:31Executive Chairman of the South African Youth Economic Council Bonga Makhanya highlighted the advantages of 'shared co-operation' at the World Youth Festival 2024 on Monday, saying it was building on the success of the BRICS organisation.
"Following from BRICS last year there was a commitment from us as a country together with other delegates from other countries' young people that we should have continued engagements through various multilateral platforms and we should all come to each other’s countries, whether it’s Brazil, Russia, India or China and continue the shared co-operation between our great nations," he said.
He added that the relationship South Africa had with Russia specifically was one of 'mutual benefit', and 'not an extractive relationship where international investments come to get all the resources out and leaving us with nothing'.
"So we are looking for more of those types of relationships in different industries, not just in mining and energy but all types of ICT, communications where we get Russian companies and South African companies to partner," he continued.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian MP Ivan Petkov commented on relations between Sofia and Moscow, claiming that his country's authorities were 'listening to Western countries, America of course'.
"We have some documents in the parliament that is to keep our relationship good with Russia, but our rulers, they are listening to Western countries, of course America, it’s not good for our country, it’s not good for our relationship with Russia, but I think in the time, in the future [relations with Russia] will be good," Petkov added.
Another festival participant from Gambia, Baba Ceesay, claimed that the impression given of Russia by Western media was unwarranted.
"If you listen to the Western media, in most cases they will give you information that are definitely in the negative sides of Russia but if you come yourself, you see the people of Russia, what are they doing and how kind they are, their history, what do they do, you will love Russia and you will know that all what they are saying is lies," he added.
The World Youth Festival takes place on March 1-7. According to the organisers, it intends to develop international youth co-operation and bring together 20,000 young people. The regional programme will take place on March 10-17, during which the participants will visit 30 Russian cities.
'Shared co-operation' and 'mutual benefit' - South African official on BRICS' impact on WYF 2024
Executive Chairman of the South African Youth Economic Council Bonga Makhanya highlighted the advantages of 'shared co-operation' at the World Youth Festival 2024 on Monday, saying it was building on the success of the BRICS organisation.
"Following from BRICS last year there was a commitment from us as a country together with other delegates from other countries' young people that we should have continued engagements through various multilateral platforms and we should all come to each other’s countries, whether it’s Brazil, Russia, India or China and continue the shared co-operation between our great nations," he said.
He added that the relationship South Africa had with Russia specifically was one of 'mutual benefit', and 'not an extractive relationship where international investments come to get all the resources out and leaving us with nothing'.
"So we are looking for more of those types of relationships in different industries, not just in mining and energy but all types of ICT, communications where we get Russian companies and South African companies to partner," he continued.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian MP Ivan Petkov commented on relations between Sofia and Moscow, claiming that his country's authorities were 'listening to Western countries, America of course'.
"We have some documents in the parliament that is to keep our relationship good with Russia, but our rulers, they are listening to Western countries, of course America, it’s not good for our country, it’s not good for our relationship with Russia, but I think in the time, in the future [relations with Russia] will be good," Petkov added.
Another festival participant from Gambia, Baba Ceesay, claimed that the impression given of Russia by Western media was unwarranted.
"If you listen to the Western media, in most cases they will give you information that are definitely in the negative sides of Russia but if you come yourself, you see the people of Russia, what are they doing and how kind they are, their history, what do they do, you will love Russia and you will know that all what they are saying is lies," he added.
The World Youth Festival takes place on March 1-7. According to the organisers, it intends to develop international youth co-operation and bring together 20,000 young people. The regional programme will take place on March 10-17, during which the participants will visit 30 Russian cities.
Executive Chairman of the South African Youth Economic Council Bonga Makhanya highlighted the advantages of 'shared co-operation' at the World Youth Festival 2024 on Monday, saying it was building on the success of the BRICS organisation.
"Following from BRICS last year there was a commitment from us as a country together with other delegates from other countries' young people that we should have continued engagements through various multilateral platforms and we should all come to each other’s countries, whether it’s Brazil, Russia, India or China and continue the shared co-operation between our great nations," he said.
He added that the relationship South Africa had with Russia specifically was one of 'mutual benefit', and 'not an extractive relationship where international investments come to get all the resources out and leaving us with nothing'.
"So we are looking for more of those types of relationships in different industries, not just in mining and energy but all types of ICT, communications where we get Russian companies and South African companies to partner," he continued.
Meanwhile, Bulgarian MP Ivan Petkov commented on relations between Sofia and Moscow, claiming that his country's authorities were 'listening to Western countries, America of course'.
"We have some documents in the parliament that is to keep our relationship good with Russia, but our rulers, they are listening to Western countries, of course America, it’s not good for our country, it’s not good for our relationship with Russia, but I think in the time, in the future [relations with Russia] will be good," Petkov added.
Another festival participant from Gambia, Baba Ceesay, claimed that the impression given of Russia by Western media was unwarranted.
"If you listen to the Western media, in most cases they will give you information that are definitely in the negative sides of Russia but if you come yourself, you see the people of Russia, what are they doing and how kind they are, their history, what do they do, you will love Russia and you will know that all what they are saying is lies," he added.
The World Youth Festival takes place on March 1-7. According to the organisers, it intends to develop international youth co-operation and bring together 20,000 young people. The regional programme will take place on March 10-17, during which the participants will visit 30 Russian cities.