Ramaphosa back from Sudan

Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived back in South Africa on Friday after his visit to four African countries, the presidency said.

Ramaphosa, in his capacity as special envoy to help bring about peace and stability in South Sudan, visited that country as well as Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania, spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said in a statement.

"The visit was in pursuit of helping to bring about peace and stability in South Sudan and thus necessitated the need to consult with all role players involved in the peace process in the country."

During his visits the deputy president met African Union commission chair Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South Sudanese president Salva Kiir and vice president Riek Machar, Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete.

"In Tanzania, Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on President Jakaya Kikwete to discuss strategic bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Tanzania," Mamoepa said.

Ramaphosa is expected to visit Paarl in the Western Cape on Saturday where he will interact with farming communities.