Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is to meet President Jacob Zuma during a visit to watch her national team play Argentina in this weekend's World Cup quarter final, government sources said on Friday.
Government spokesperson Ulrich Wilhelm stressed the link between "football and diplomacy", and said it was important for foreign heads of state and government to honour the first World Cup finals to be held in Africa.
Merkel is to meet Zuma ahead of Saturday's game in Cape Town, as well as visiting a German-funded project aimed at preventing violence in the city's poor townships.
Germany plays Argentina at 16:00 on Saturday for a place in the semi finals.
Later in the day, the chancellor is to meet with opposition leader and premier of the Western Cape Helen Zille, who is descended from German illustrator Heinrich Zille, who lived from 1858-1929.
Government spokesperson Ulrich Wilhelm stressed the link between "football and diplomacy", and said it was important for foreign heads of state and government to honour the first World Cup finals to be held in Africa.
Merkel is to meet Zuma ahead of Saturday's game in Cape Town, as well as visiting a German-funded project aimed at preventing violence in the city's poor townships.
Germany plays Argentina at 16:00 on Saturday for a place in the semi finals.
Later in the day, the chancellor is to meet with opposition leader and premier of the Western Cape Helen Zille, who is descended from German illustrator Heinrich Zille, who lived from 1858-1929.