Hawking, 66, said: "The world of science needs Africa's brilliant talents, and I look forward to meeting prospective young Einsteins from Africa in the near future."
He was invited to South Africa by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) to deliver his lecture titled 'Universe'.
"I am honoured to visit Africa for the first time to show my support for AIMS," Hawkings said.
"If my visit helps to create opportunities for Africans to enter maths and science, I will be delighted."
Hawking suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease, a usually fatal neurodegenerative disease, causing him to be almost completely paralysed.
He is well known for his contributions to the sciences of cosmology and quantum gravity, especially in the context of black holes.
Founder of AIMS Professor Neil Turok said the public lecture was part of a new AIMS initiative to "unlock and nurture scientific talent across Africa, so that within our lifetimes we are celebrating an African Einstein."
The lecture would take place at 6pm.
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