PM Haji Najib flies to S Africa for ANC's 100th anniversary

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak left for South Africa today 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 Rosmah Mansor, left the Bunga Raya Complex of the KL International Airport in Sepang at 3pm.

Also present to see them off were Deputy Information Communication and Culture Minister Maglin Dennis D'Cruz and Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Hassan Malek.

Najib, who is visiting South Africa for the first time, is among 46 national leaders gathering at Bloemfontein, about five hours' journey from Johannesburg to witness the historic event, the 100th anniversary celebration of the ruling party, ANC.

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, 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.

During the visit, Najib was also expected to have a meeting with President Zuma and to 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.

- Bernama