Obama visit important to South Africa: Zuma

United States President Barack Obama's visit to South Africa will help strengthen ties between the two countries, President Jacob Zuma said.

"This will present an opportunity to showcase progress since the establishment of the African Union, and to discuss co-operation on matters of socio-economic development, as well as peace and security on the continent," Zuma said in Johannesburg.

"...The US is a major investor in South Africa, with about 600 US companies operating within the South African economy."

Obama was due to arrive in South Africa on Friday.

Zuma said about 90 percent of South African exports to the US entered that country duty-free.

The visit would further strengthen US-SA dialogue on areas including health, education, agriculture, law enforcement, trade, investment, energy, nuclear security and non-proliferation, and regional security.

Earlier, Zuma was due to address editors at the SA National Editors' Forum (Sanef) on the economy and youth, but it turned into a fully fledged press conference.

Television cameras and about 100 local and foreign journalists were attending Zuma's address.

African National Congress banners were set up, as he spoke in his capacity as ANC leader.