Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has expressed deep condolences over the death of former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner.
Kirchner, the husband of the current leader Christine Fernandez, died of a heart attack on Wednesday.
South Africa was "saddened" by Kirchner's passing, Zuma said in a statement by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation on Thursday.
Zuma said South Africa enjoyed both political and diplomatic relations with Argentina and the strengthening of economic and multilateral cooperation within the context of South to South relations during Kirchner's administration.
"South Africa will still forge ahead to strengthen and consolidate both diplomatic and bilateral relations with the Republic of Argentina as both countries are part of the developing world," said Zuma.
Kirchner, who was buried on Thursday, succeeded by his wife as president, was expected to run in the 2011 election.
The funeral was presided over by his wife at the Casa Rosada Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires. President Fernandez sat for several hours by her husband's casket with her children, Maximo and Florencia.
Meanwhile, outside the Casa Rosada, hundreds gathered on the Plaza de Mayo to mourn their former president.
Some leaders from Latin American countries also attended the funeral.
