Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will take part in the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Congo's independence next week, the Department of International Relations said on Thursday.
The occasion will be attended by UN Chief Ban Ki Moon and Belgian King Albert II, among others.
"This is an important celebration not only for that country but the continent as well ... South Africa is also very closely linked to the DRC," said International Relations DG Ayanda Ntsaluba.
South Africa had greater legitimacy in the DRC than other countries due to its critical role in guiding the negotiations which led to the 2006 elections there. Over the past six years, the country has also evolved as one of South Africa's growing and leading trading partners in the region.
Ntsaluba said the celebrations should be seen as a symbol of "hope that stability is returning to the country."
Despite years of wars and civil unrest, the country is now largely peaceful apart from the eastern region where armed rebel groups still seek to destabilise the country and destroy the massive gains made in transforming it into a fully fledged democracy.
Ntsaluba hoped that this will not overshadow the country's achievements - saying that the country has come a long way.
He expressed concern about the violence in the eastern part saying the rebels should abide by the country's constitutional principles so that lasting peace, security and stability could be achieved.
