As South Africa prepares to host the 10th BRICS summit that opens Wednesday, South Africans are expecting the event will change their country and their own lives in a positive way.
The summit will be held under the theme "BRICS in Africa: collaboration for inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the 4th Industrial Revolution."
With the host nation grappling with serious economic challenges ranging from unemployment and widening inequality to stagnant economic growth and poverty, some residents told Xinhua that the summit should deal with these problems.
Lerato Tumang, 22, a fourth-year student at the University of Johannesburg, thinks that the summit should focus on domestic issues, especially those affecting young people.
"We understand that it should also focus on what's happening within the BRICS countries and the world ... (but) this would be irrelevant if it does not touch on what affects us as the youth," she said. "While education is accessible, we need jobs and other opportunities after graduating. For me, it's all about jobs and growing the economy and reducing the number of people who live in poverty."
Mlungisi Mbanjwa, 55, a security guard based in the Central Business District of Johannesburg, said the event should come up with ways to attract more investors.
"They must deliberate on how we are going to bring in more investors into South Africa. Investors would enable us to create jobs for our young children. We are also going to talk about reducing crime, because some will not want to come here if (the) crime (rate) is high," Mbanjwa said.
"It is good for our country to join hands with friendly countries to ... develop," Nsiki Nyoni, a 30-year-old, said.
Nqobile Mahlangu from Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga Province, echoed them. "We are waiting to see the results of BRICS also reaching our communities who are poor with no jobs. We understand BRICS will help South Africa with some opportunities to get loans, (it will) do business with our country. We want our youths to get jobs and more opportunities," Mahlangu said.
South Africa has received two loans from BRICS to address its electricity shortage, improve the Port of Durban, the busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa, and create more jobs.
According to some researchers, since joining BRICS, South Africa has seen an increase in foreign direct investment as well as in trade with other BRICS countries, and its status on the global stage has risen.
Thandi Mangoloti, 30, working at a restaurant in Rosebank, said the summit should deliberate on economic issues.
"We cannot do much as a nation. We can't improve our economy. Other BRICS countries must assist us (with) what we need to do to grow this economy and create jobs for young people. If other countries are performing well economically, we can also do the same thing. Let's focus on that," she said.
The summit, to be held in Johannesburg, will end on July 27.
