Zuma ends state visit to Britain with talks on business and aid

Mar 5, 2010, 15:40 GMT

London - South African President Jacob Zuma ended his state visit to Britain Friday with talks with business leaders and an exchange of views on the environment and youth opportunities with Prince Charles.

The three-day visit, while being overshadowed by Zuma's critical remarks about alleged 'superior' British attitudes to Africa, was nonetheless judged to have been a success by British commentators Friday.

Zuma, despite his polygamist habits and flamboyant private life, had proved himself as a serious statesman on the international stage, said one commentator.

Zuma, accompanied by one of his current wives, Tobeka Madiba, stayed at Buckingham Palace as guests of Queen Elizabeth II.

During the course of his visit, Zuma attempted to play down his criticism and went out of his way to praise Britain's help in building the new South Africa praised after the end of apartheid.

Friday, he chaired a meeting of British and South African industry leader and discussed aid and charity work with Prince Charles.

In a final note of discord, Zuma encountered a handful of demonstrators at South Africa House- his country's embassy - urging him to do more to push forward reform in Zimbabwe.

'Shame on You, Zuma,' shouted the demonstrators, accusing him of not doing enough to put pressure on Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe to promote reform and unity government in his country.