Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says government will soon appoint a new Deputy Director-General to deal specifically with multilateral relations in Africa.

The minister was addressing the media during the parliamentary media briefing yesterday.

Minister Dlamini-Zuma added that government needed to put much emphasis on Africa as it had concentrated much effort on bilateral agreements with foreign countries.

"I wouldn't say neglected but we have not put much energy on bilateral relations with the African countries and we have identified this as one of the areas that we should deal with.

"This is important and also in line with Nepad because Nepad talks about partnership between African countries and bilateral relations means everything between political relations, economy, trade, investments and tourism."

Speaking on tourism, she said South Africa had a lot of potential and, "If we look at our tourism last year alone, we were looking at probably over six-million tourists, four-million of them coming from the African continent. It shows contrary to perceptions that our tourism is sustained by Africa."

The minister shot down the misconception that most Africans wanted to live in South Africa, saying people loved their homes and wanted to remain patriotic.

"We should look at that in proper perspective as a regime that encourages tourism and trade amongst African countries," she said.

Dlamini-Zuma also said south-south relations were important and should not to be seen as a replacement of relations with countries in the north.

"If you put developing countries together, they do have a lot of competitive advantage amongst themselves. When put together they can actually enhance their development," she explained.

She emphasised the importance of countries in the southern region to work together not only politically but also economically.

The minister also condemned xenophobia, adding that everyone was welcomed in South Africa.

"How can we even stand with our heads high when do things like that, how can you differentiate between a Mozambican and a South African," she asked. - BuaNews .