Ramaphosa Kicks Off Southeast Asia Tour in Indonesia

Ramaphosa Kicks Off Southeast Asia Tour in Indonesia
Above: South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) and Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto attend a press conference after their bilateral meeting at the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia on Oct. 22, 2025. Image copyright: Bay Ismoyo/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Ramaphosa's visit to Indonesia aims to showcase BRICS solidarity, but the trip instead highlights the bloc's internal fractures. Behind speeches of "Global South cooperation," China's dominance and conflicting national interests overshadow real progress. Jakarta and Pretoria promise shared prosperity, yet trade imbalances and limited investment persist. Genuine growth depends not on political theatre, but on sound governance, market openness, and stable partnerships with trusted global institutions.

Establishment-critical narrative

Amid persistent Western dominance and unfulfilled promises of "development," South Africa and Indonesia are turning toward genuine and promising South–South cooperation. Their expanding trade ties, joint industrial plans, and shared BRICS+ agenda signal a shift from dependency to self-determined growth among Global South nations. Rather than relying on IMF prescriptions, both nations invest in real production, local industries, and multipolar partnerships that challenge the old global order.

Metaculus Prediction


Public Figures



© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.1

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.17.1