Mr President, we know that the South African population does not compare well with our partners in Brics. In China it is more than a billion; in India, it is more than a billion; and in Russia and Brazil, it is close to 140 and 190 million people. Our economy is also less than a quarter of Russia's economy and five provinces in China are larger than us. We are small, but if we go into Brics as a regional market, it will be different.
I want to know from the hon President what his view is on this and whether he is prepared to lobby for the SADC as a group to join with South Africa this new block in future. Secondly, I want to know whether South Africa will have to exercise restraint being a partner in Bric in criticising human rights violations in some of these countries in future.