Annan arrives in South Africa for start of tour

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in South Africa today at the start of a two-week tour of five African nations.

He was due to meet South African President Thabo Mbeki and address parliament tomorrow and visit anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela on Wednesday before travelling to the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar.

He will also visit the Republic of Congo, whose president is chairman of the African Union, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Annan, who was accompanied by his wife, made no comment at Cape Town airport.

He is expected to canvass Mbeki for support of his UN reform proposals.

It is Annan’s first official visit to South Africa.