South Africa ’s President Jacob Zuma is paying a three-day official visit to Malaysia from August 25 to further boost the two countries’ bilateral ties.

The visit came as the two countries are about to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

President Zuma said in a statement that his Malaysia visit would further enhance the bilateral cooperation in business, trade and investment.

It will also help promote people-to-people ties and expand the two sides’ existing cooperation in education, culture, arts and sports.

During his visit, the South African president is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and address the South African-Malaysian Business Forum.

On the occasion, President Zuma will receive the Lifetime Award for Global Peace on behalf of South Africa ’s former President Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid icon.

This is Zuma’s first Malaysia visit since he took office in 2009.

Malaysia is now the largest Southeast Asian investor in South Africa.-VNA