ZUMA: SOUTH AFRICANS CONTINUE TO BE INSPIRED BY IRAN’S 1979 REVOLUTION

President Zuma is on a three-day state visit designed to expand trade with Iran.

Jean-Jacques Cornish
Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - President Jacob Zuma says South Africans continue to be inspired by Iran’s 1979 revolution that overthrew the Shah.

The president was speaking in Tehran after talks with President Hassan Rouhani, at the start of a three-day state visit designed to dramatically expand trade with the Islamic republic.

With international sanctions against Iran now lifted under its nuclear deal with Russia, China, the United States, Britain, France and Germany; South Africa has joined the growing queue of world players seeking to increase business activity there.

The South African delegation signed eight cooperation agreements with Iran ranging from energy development to business insurance and tourism.

President Zuma has invited his Iranian counterpart to visit South Africa.

President Rouhani says he wants to see direct flights opening up between Johannesburg and Tehran.

(Edited by Masechaba Sefularo)