Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated Britain on the formation of a coalition government and the appointment of David Cameron as its new Prime Minister.
"The South African government is looking forward to working with the new government in consolidating and strengthening political and economic relations that exist between the two countries," Zuma said in a statement on Wednesday.
This will be Britain's first coalition government since 1945. The agreement between the two parties was reached five days after an inconclusive election. It ends 13 years of Labour Party rule.
Zuma wished Cameron well in his new position and reconfirmed his appreciation of the excellent, warm and close relations that exist between the two countries and their people.
He hoped these close ties will continue to prosper during Cameron's term of office.
Cameron, a 43-year-old, is Britain's youngest Prime Minister in almost 200 years, took over after Gordon Brown admitted defeat in his own efforts to broker a deal with the Liberal Democrats.
The Conservatives are the largest party in parliament after last week's election but fell 20 seats short of an outright majority. Combined with the Liberal Democrats, they will have a majority of 76 seats
