Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrived in South Africa Saturday for a two-day working visit at the invitation of South African President Jacob Zuma, who is also the president of the African National Congress (ANC).
Najib, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, arrived at Waterkloff Airforce Base here at 9.30 pm Saturday (3.30am Sunday in Malaysia) and was met upon arrival by Malaysian High Commisioner to South Africa Kennedy Jawan and wife Josephine Dagang.
Najib and wife were then taken to Michelengelo Hotel in Johannesburg, a 40-minute drive from the airport and were greeted by officials of the High Commision and members of the Malaysian media covering his visit.
On Sunday, Najib, who is visiting South Africa for the first time, will be among 46 national leaders gathering in Mangaung at Bloemfontein, a five-hour journey from Johannesburg to witness a historical event, the 100th anniversary celebration of the ruling party, ANC.
According to Jawan, Najib's presence at the ANC's anniversary celebration reflected Malaysia's support for the ANC which had struggled to free South Africa from the apartheid policy, which was successfully attained in 1994.
He said during the visit, Najib was expected to have a meeting with President Zuma and accept courtesy calls from Kenya's Vice-President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoko and the Chief Minister of the Free State Territory, South Africa, Sekgobelo Elias Magashule.
