Former president and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri hosted South African President Jacob Zuma at her residence in Central Jakarta on Wednesday.

Zuma was accompanied by South African ambassador to Indonesia Pakamisa Augustine Sifuba, as well as International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane, Environment Minister Edna Molewa as well as Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana.

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During the meeting, which was made upon Zuma's request, the two discussed efforts to improve cooperation between the two countries and the two ruling parties, Megawati's PDI-P and Zuma's African National Congress.

"We are very happy that we paid this visit," Zuma told the press after the one-hour meeting.

"We had a very fruitful discussion. We are taking inspiration as we go back home," he added, while expressing adoration for Megawati's father, Indonesia's first president, Soekarno.

Zuma said he had also invited Megawati to visit South Africa.

Meanwhile, Megawati recalled her visit to South Africa in 2002 as then Indonesian president, when she met Nelson Mandela and then counterpart Thabo Mbeki.

"It's an honor to welcome President Zuma," she said. "It is also an honor to learn that South Africa has declared two Indonesians as heroes, Soekarno and Syekh [Maulana] Yusuf."

Zuma, who is on a state visit to Indonesia, attended the 2017 Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Summit in Jakarta.

Also at the residence, Megawati met wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Rosmah Mansor, on Tuesday. (bbs)