South African president given official welcoming ceremony

South African President Jacob Zuma, who is making a three-day official visit to this country, was given an official welcoming ceremony at the Dataran Perdana, Bangunan Perdana Putra here Monday. He was greeted on arrival at 10am by Prime Minister Najib Razak. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Chief Secretary to the Government Dr Ali Hamsa, Cabinet ministers, foreign diplomats and senior government officials. As soon as the national anthems of both countries were played, the South African President inspected the guard-of-honour mounted by 105 men and officers from the 1st Batallion of the Royal Malay Regiment. Both leaders later held a four-eyed-meeting which was later followed by a bilateral meeting. Zuma's fourth visit to this country is perceived to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between Malaysia and South Africa and clearly reflected the cordial relations between the two countries. Zuma is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Malaysia-South Africa Business Forum. He will also receive an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarian Leadership from the Lim Kok Wing University and the 'Lifetime Campaigner for Global Peace Award' on behalf of former President Nelson Mandela from the Mahathir Global Peace Foundation. Meanwhile his wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli is scheduled to make a courtesy call on the wife of the prime minister, Rosmah Mansor and visit the Permata Pintar centre at the University Kebangsaan Malaysia.