Russia's president Vladimir Putin is starting a visit to South Africa to meet the South African President, Thabo Mbeki.
The two men will attend bilateral trade talks in an effort to strengthen economic and political ties, with several agreements due to be signed.
Discussions are likely to focus on investment in the diamond, mining and metals sectors, although the South African foreign ministry said the Middle East crisis and Iran's nuclear ambitions were also on the agenda.
Mbeki and Putin are expected to reach agreements in a number of areas, including health care and space exploration, which South Africa is keen to become more involved in.
During his state of the nation address in May, President Putin stated that he wanted relations to improve between Russia and Africa.
