South Africa, like the rest of the world, began and concluded 2021 with major COVID-19 concerns, with the pandemic poised to reign supreme in 2022 for a third year in a row.

 

Following the discovery of the novel and highly transmissible Omicron form in November, South Africa was in the midst of its second wave, and as the year came to a close, a fourth wave hit the country.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the phone with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa about the ongoing problems faced by the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

The two leaders also reviewed the possibility of India and South Africa collaborating on various international forums to improve vaccination and drug access and affordability.

 

Prime Minister Modi assured South African President Zuma that India's vast pharmaceutical and vaccine production capabilities would continue to meet the needs of all countries, especially those in Africa.

 

A week before the two leaders' meeting, vaccines made in India arrived in South Africa on an aircraft, with President Ramaphosa receiving the consignment of doses.

 

The current pandemic wave has not spared President Ramaphosa, who was forced to isolate himself after contracting the virus, forcing him to delegate his responsibilities to Deputy President David Mabuza.

 

Ramaphosa had requested the scientists of the BRICS countries to collaborate in identifying solutions just days before he became ill.

 

"The BRICS collaboration is meant to enhance our knowledge of the COVID-19 virus not only for the benefit of member countries but also for the benefit of the global community," Ramaphosa added.

 

In the midst of continually changing travel limitations, Ramaphosa said in February during his State of the Nation address that India was one of the nations that South Africa was aiming to import talents and develop tourism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic's economic catastrophe.

 

The economic downturn caused by COVID-19 did not deter Indian businesses from increasing production and expanding their commercial footprint in South Africa.

 

According to the 2021 Automotive Export Manual report released by the Automotive Industry Export Council, despite the lengthy COVID-19 lockdowns and overall declines in vehicle sales in 2020, India was the top country of origin for vehicle imports into South Africa.

 

ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA), a division of London-based Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal's Global steel giant ArcelorMittal, turned a profit of 37 million rands (USD 2.3 million) in the previous fiscal year after losing 632 million rands (USD 39.6 million) in 2019.

 

Mahindra strengthened its position in the South African market by investing heavily in skills training in the region, opening a larger training centre and effectively doubling its capacity. In addition, the company opened a new national parts warehouse that is larger than its previous location.

 

"South Africa is Mahindra's regional hub and the brand's second home outside of India." "We will continue to support all levels of skill development to meet the growing demand for Mahindra vehicles and the continent's planned expansion," said Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.

 

Vedanta Zinc International launched a new iron ore product line by increasing iron ore production at its Black Mountain Mine (BMM) operations in Aggeneys, South Africa's Northern Cape province.