PRETORIA, Jan 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak touched down in South Africa yesterday for a 2-day work visit.

He was invited by South African President Jacob Zuma reported Bernama Online.

Malaysian High Commisioner to South Africa Kennedy Jawan and wife Josephine Dagang welcomed Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor upon arrival at Waterkloff Airforce Base last night at 9.30pm (3.30am Malaysian time, today).

They were escorted to Johannesburg’s Michelengelo Hotel, where other officials and media were awaiting.

Najib (picture) is on his first trip to South Africa, and will be joining 46 other national leaders attending the 100 anniversary of the ruling ANC (African National Congress) party which Zuma helms. They will gather today at Bloemfontein’s Mangaung, a five hour journey from Johannesburg.

Jawan said that Najib’s attendance showed Malaysia’s support for the ANC and South Africa’s struggle against apartheid rule.

The ANC was at the forefront of opposition to a white-ruled government for decades, with the party taking up arms to end state-sanctioned segregation in South Africa. Nelson Mandela and other leaders served lengthy prison sentences for mounting an armed insurrection.

The freeing of Mandela in 1991 led to a period of reinvigoration and political reformation culminating with free elections in 1994. Mandela was elected president of an all-inclusive South Africa.

Thabo Mbeki replaced Mandela as president before Zuma.

Najib is expected to have a meeting with Zuma and also 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.

The prime minister will return home later today.