Abstract
Are changing geo-political dynamics, and an increasingly multi-polar world, significant for education? We explore this question by engaging a debate on whether BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) can be considered as a form of sub-imperialism or not. We use a limited form of the concept and focus on connections between the BRICS countries and education in southern Africa - specifically South Africa and Mozambique. Drawing on selected secondary and primary sources, we argue that while South Africa fulfils some of the criteria of a 'dependent regional sub-centre with influence,' relationships in education between BRICS members and Mozambique are not extensive, although displaying similar characteristics to the `aid colonialism' of traditional donors. The article explores modalities of involvement and shows that even in the case of South Africa educational relationships do not yet appear to extend to policy. However, policy accommodation is a key dimension of these relationships.