Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated the Republic of Congo which on Sunday celebrated 50 years of independence from France.
The day's official ceremony began with a parade for military and civilians.
The highlights of the event included the transmission of a Torch from generation fiftieth to generation 2010 as well as a visit to children born on 15 August 2010, by Congo's First Lady, Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso.
A state banquet was also hosted by the President Denis Sassou Nguesso and the First Lady. Among the guests were African Heads of State and South Africa's Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane who represented President Zuma in the celebrations.
Sassou Nguesso is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders with his first stint as president stretching from 1979 to 1992 and his current stint unbroken since 1997.
South Africa formalised their diplomatic relations with the oil rich Congo in 1993 and the two countries enjoy sound bilateral relations.
Congo is one of sub-Saharan Africa's main oil producers, though majority of the population lives in poverty. The country has experienced civil wars and militia conflicts.
