Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has used his state visit to Lesotho to drum up support as the country bids for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
South Africa, which is vying for a spot on the 15-nation Council as a non-permanent member for the 2011-2012 term, will use the seat to raise issues affecting the developing world.
The new permanent members are to be elected by the 192-member UN General Assembly in New York in October.
If elected, South Africa will serve a second term as a non-permanent member of the council. South Africa last sat on the council in 2007-2008.
Addressing Lesotho's Parliament on Thursday, Zuma was hopeful that South Africa's candidature will be able to receive the support of many countries - including Lesotho.
"South Africa intends to use this seat once more to raise the issues of mutual interest to the continent and the developing world," the President said, adding that a transformed UN system will be more efficient.
"It is our firm view that the Security Council should also be enlarged to better reflect and portray contemporary global political realities."
Zuma's two-day state visit in Lesotho is aimed at reviving bilateral and economic relations between the two countries.
He also used the opportunity to urge Lesotho's political leaders to promote political tolerance and restore lasting peace.
Lesotho's Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili recently survived an assassination attempt by attackers who planned to seize power.
Zuma said the Lesotho government and its makers should embrace democratic principles.
"Besides strengthening institutions of governance, it is also imperative that a democratic culture and practice is embraced and entrenched.
"This culture entails political tolerance and representation, public participation, government accountability, observance of human rights and the rule of law," Zuma told Parliamentarians.
Noting that Lesotho was an important player in the Southern African region, Zuma said there was a need for both countries to work and adopt common positions in international forums that will benefit the countries and the continent at large.
"In this era of freedom and democracy, we must find ways of making this symbiotic relationship to work for the mutual benefit of both countries and peoples."
He said renewed commitment on joint projects between Lesotho and South Africa would help pursue the consolidation of the African Agenda.
Already the two countries have partnered in various projects including the Lesotho Highlands Water Project which supplies water to South Africa, especially the rapidly growing urban population of Gauteng, and to meet Lesotho's electricity needs. The project delivers about 780 million m3 of water to South Africa per year.
In his wide ranging speech, Zuma also touched on women empowerment, education as well as Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Next month, he said Heads of State and Government would be called upon at the UN General Assembly to account on progress made in the implementation of the MDG declaration- which is a commitment from leaders to improve the lives of people by 2015.
President Zuma said South Africa' message to the world will be that the recent financial crisis should not be used as an excuse to delay further action on the delivery of the MDGs, especially education.
In terms of education, which is one of government's key focus, Zuma said countries cannot improve human development without a continuous investment in education.
"Developed nations should not cut back on development support to Africa, especially on education, on the basis of the recent economic crisis. Education cannot be postponed."
Zuma, who is accompanied by a high delegation, will today participate in a business workshop, focusing on the hospitality, construction, banking, food and beverages, retail and mining sectors.
