Pretoria pursues an independent foreign policy in accordance with its national interests, Tandi Moraka has said

South Africa considers Russia and China strategic partners, and will maintain independent relations with all global players, Deputy Foreign Minister Anna Thandi Moraka has said.

Speaking to RT on the sidelines of the second Russia-Africa ministerial conference in Cairo, Moraka stressed that her country acts independently and in accordance with its national interests, commenting on upcoming joint naval drills between South Africa, Russia, and China. 

"China and Russia continue to be regarded as strategic partners of the country of South Africa," she stated, adding that Pretoria "will continue to engage with Russia, China and other progressive forces in the world."

The deputy foreign minister noted Moscow's role in supporting South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle. "Russia has always been there for the South African government and the South African people when it fought against the apartheid regime." 

Moraka also defended South Africa's outspoken position on the Palestinian issue, including its legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. "We will continue to speak against any injustice... be it the Palestinian people in Gaza or whoever." 

Addressing concerns from the Western partners, Moraka reaffirmed that non-alignment remains the cornerstone of South African foreign policy. It is based "on the principle of non-alignment... the respect for human rights issues... for the respect for the rule of law." 

Despite criticism from some in the West, Pretoria will maintain independent relations with all global players. It also intends to maintain diplomatic dialogue with the US, despite tensions over the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 

"American markets need African countries," especially for minerals and agriculture, she said. "We really need each other as much as they think that they don't need us."

The ministerial conference was held in Cairo December 19-20 with representatives from more than 50 African countries, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Russian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who held around 20 bilateral meetings with his African counterparts.

READ MORE: Lavrov meets African counterparts in Cairo (PHOTOS)

The event concluded with the adoption of a joint final statement reaffirming commitments to cooperation in counterterrorism, investment, energy - including peaceful nuclear energy - and education, science, and media.