S Africa joins BRIC economic summit for first time

South Africa has attended a summit between the leaders of countries with increasing economic power for the first time.

BRIC is a group of four countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - described by Goldman Sachs' Jim O'Neill as having similar potential for development and growth.

South Africa says its inclusion is vital if trade with growing nations like China is to flow both ways, while also acknowledging its role as a gateway to the rest of Africa.

Milton Nkosi reports from Johannesburg.