© Reuters / Siphiwe Sibeko 29Sun rises in Johannesburg, South Africa
"What becomes important for us is to acknowledge the fact that Russia has never colonized any country. Russia has never pushed any country to a relationship that would seek to exploit the mineral wealth, the natural resources," Dlodlo said in an interview on the sidelines of the first ever Russia-Africa summit in Sochi.
Russia, and the Soviet Union before it, has traditionally invested in peace in Africa instead of pursuing economic goals, according to Dlodlo.
"In fact, this is why Russia may be slow in coming to the party to start conversing with the continent, to exploit in a positive way the economic opportunities that exist in the African continent," Dlodlo said.
Talking about the relations between Russia and South Africa, she said the summit opens up new opportunities that are outside the BRICS trade bloc, "country-to-country from economic perspective."
The economies of both countries will only grow from the expertise that Russia has and what South Africa can offer, she said. The minister added that Russian companies such as Renova, Gazprom, Rosatom, and others have already begun investing in South Africa.
Precisely. As the Chinese have demonstrated for years, there are many opportunities to develop and raise the standard of living in a resource rich and culturally diverse continent such as Africa. A harmonious balance in trade relations will serve all the people's of Africa. A brighter future, they most definitely deserve.