Pretoria — President Jacob Zuma will today undertake a state visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho where bilateral agreements, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Economic Cooperation, are expected to be signed.

The two-day state visit, takes place within the context of consolidating the African Agenda with the aim of further cementing bilateral political, economic and social relations between the two countries.

According to the Presidency, Lesotho, for a large part, relies on South Africa for its economic development.

"More than 30 percent of its economically active population employed in South African mines and approximately 50 percent of the income of the rural households of Lesotho comes from family members employed in South Africa. This constitutes approximately 30 percent of the country's per capita GNP," said the department.

The two countries have agreed on a strategic partnership that will assist Lesotho to graduate from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Taking this commitment into consideration, South Africa has since financed a number of developmental projects in Lesotho through a number of funding mechanisms, including the African Renaissance Fund.

During Zuma's visit, the two Heads of State are expected to discuss the finalisation of the Agreement on Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

"The most significant and visible beacon reflecting South Africa's bilateral relation with Lesotho is the Lesotho Highlands Water Project," said the Presidency, adding that it is regarded as Africa's largest ever transfer project as well as the largest ongoing bi-national construction project on the continent.

The project benefits both countries in a number of ways. It delivers about 780 million cubic metres of water to South Africa per annum and has created a huge number of employments to locals.

The project was started as a joint venture with the main objective to provide water to South Africa, especially the rapidly growing urban population and industrial development in Gauteng and to meet Lesotho's electricity needs.

Other important projects that South Africa is involved in are the construction of the Metolong Dam and the Sani-Pass road.

South Africa has already contributed R100 million to Lesotho towards the construction of these projects to demonstrate the importance which South Africa attaches to assisting Lesotho in its economic development.

Accompanied by several government ministers and a business delegation, the President is also expected to engage on issues related to bilateral cooperation as well as region and multilateral matters including sharing and exchanging views on political development in the region.

On the International Political Agenda, strategic issues such as the agenda of the African Union and reform of the multilateral institutions such as the United Nations Security Council will be discussed.

Zuma is expected to address joint sitting of the Lesotho Parliament and will visit the Katse dam which provides a significant volume of water to South Africa.

The business delegation will also participate in a two-day business workshop, focusing on such sectors as hospitality, construction, banking, food and beverages, retail and mining.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in Lesotho on Wednesday ahead of the President, where she met with her counterpart Mohlabi Tsekoa.