afrol News, 3 September - Accompanied by 20 party officials, the president of South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday arrived in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salam for a three-day visit.

The party's top officials on tour with Jacob Zuma include the treasurer Mathews Phosa and deputy secretary general Thandi Modise.

Zuma's visit, among others, seeks to strengthen ties between the ANC and Tanzania's ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. It will also give an opportunity to the two ruling party officials to share experiences and challenges.

The CCM secretary in Dar es Salam, Kilumbe Shaban, told journalists that Mr. Zuma is expected to hold several meetings with the CCM chairman president Jakaya Kikwete and other party officials.

The ANC delegation is also billed to visit Mazimbo area in the Morogoro region, 200 km from Dar es Salam, formerly a home to many ANC cadres during the white minority apartheid rule.

Meanwhile, South Africa and Venezuela on Tuesday sealed a major oil deal during a visit by president Hugo Chavez.

Venezuelan president touted the deal as an example of southern nations cooperation in a new strategic alliance.

State oil companies of the two countries reached agreements on oil and gas.

"It will be a wonderful day, the day when the first Venezuelan tanker will stop by to leave oil for South Africa," Chavez said.

Venezuela is eager to explore the southern African country's pioneering gas-to-liquid technology. On the other hand, PetroSA is planning to invest in oil exploration and production in Venezuela.

President Chavez disclosed his country's interest in using South Africa's oil storage capacity of some 45 million barrels as well as help expand its refining capacity.

He said due to crisis in the world, there was need for southern nations to unite behind a "new strategic agenda to conduct a true strategic change in international relations."

South African President Thabo Mbeki was upbeat that the several agreements signed would contribute to the further empowerment of the countries of the south."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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