Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to South Africa tomorrow, the country's foreign minister today said the visit will cement and strengthen the excellent relations that exist between the two countries.

"South Africa and India share common values and objectives which were forged during the struggle against colonialism and for liberation and democracy in South Africa," said Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. Modi will be in South Africa as part of a whirlwind five-day tour of Africa that will also take him to three other African countries - Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya.

"India played a leading role in isolating the apartheid regime, resulting in a shared history of friendship and solidarity," Nkoana-Mashabane, a former high commissioner to India, wrote in the daily The New Age.

"India also provided consistent support to the liberation movement during South Africa's struggle for democracy and was at the forefront within multilateral forums, such as the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement, in promoting international efforts towards South Africa's liberation," she added.