Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has welcomed 10 new ambassadors to the country, saying he was confident their appointments would help strengthen relations between South Africa and their respective countries.
Zuma received the letters of credence from heads of missions of Lithuania, Malta, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Jordan, Eritrea, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago and the European Union on Thursday.
He had a particularly warm welcome for Zimbabwe's ambassador to South Africa, Phelekezela Mphoko.
Zuma said he and Mphoko had worked very closely together in the past and he had the opportunity to witness the new ambassador's diplomatic skills first hand.
He added that it was important that the situation in Zimbabwe be speedily resolved and hoped that Mphoko would provide greater insight into the challenges in his country.
Mphoko was appreciative of South Africa's mediation efforts in his home country, saying the country had proved to be an "all weather friend" to Zimbabwe and has refused to support the "illegal sanctions" imposed on it.
He said he would work hard to maintain the existing relationship, while at the same time promote trade between the two countries.
Zuma also had warm words of welcome for Zambia's High Commissioner to South Africa, Bizwayo Newton Nkunika.
The President noted that Zambia was a second home to South Africa's freedom fighters during the liberation struggle and that a number of leaders and cadres had been buried in Zambia.
Nkunika said his county was keen to bring some closure to South Africans whose relatives were buried in Zambia and that the government was ready to assist with exhumations and reburials.
He added that one of his priorities would be enhancing economic relations between the two countries, as well as balancing trade and investment which currently favoured South Africa.
Malta's High Commissioner George Hyzler also committed himself to furthering economic ties with South Africa.
