ANC president Jacob Zuma left for Namibia on Monday to strengthen ties with his counterpart in that country, his party said on Monday.

It said he would hold talks with Swapo leader and Namibian president Hifikepunye Pohamba during the two-day visit.

The trip was part of an ANC resolution to revive relations between former liberation movements, including the South West Africa Peoples' Organisation.

The African National Congress said it was seeking to establish a better understanding of the ideological orientation and character of the parties on the continent. The objective was to identify those that shared the ANC's political vision.

A deliberate effort needed to be made to strengthen relations with all progressive and like-minded parties in the region, continent and the world, the ANC said.

It added that relations with other ruling parties on the continent, that might not share the same vision with the party, must be promoted and based on common interests.

Countries already visited by Zuma in a bid to strengthen party-to-party relations included India, China, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique and Angola.

Last week, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe hosted his counterparts from the ruling parties of Mozambique, Angola, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.