Inflation targeting is the right policy for South Africa, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Wednesday.

IMF MD Dominique Strauss-Kahn said, however, that the policy had to be used "flexibly".

"The South African economy has weathered the immediate effects of the global crisis, mainly due to sound macro-economic policies, its flexible monetary and exchange rate regime, and a well supervised financial system," he told media in Johannesburg, following his two-day visit to South Africa.

He said that during his visit he had had productive discussions with the authorities on the country's economic outlook and challenges.

Fiscal policy had been appropriately countercyclical, striking the proper balance between supporting output and preserving medium term sustainability, he said.

Strauss-Kahn said, however, that South Africa continued to face difficulties as unemployment was extremely high.

South Africa's success had important implications for the rest of Africa.

"As a member of the Group of 20, it has a leadership role to play in advancing prosperity across the continent and making the voice of Africa heard in the international arena."

Strauss-Kahn was on an African tour that began in Kenya. His next stop would be Zambia.