"President Zuma's attendance of the 'sod turning ceremony' not only underlines South Africa's commitment to infrastructure development between South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho, but also takes place in the context of promoting the African agenda."

President Jacob Zuma will undertake a working visit to Lesotho to attend the launch of phase two of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, the Presidency said on Wednesday.

Spokesman Mac Maharaj said Zuma would attend the ceremony on Thursday, as part of government's infrastructure development programme.

"President Zuma's attendance of the 'sod turning ceremony' not only underlines South Africa's commitment to infrastructure development between South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho, but also takes place in the context of promoting the African agenda," he said in a statement.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project has been in operation for over 22 years and supplies South Africa with approximately 780 million cubic metres of water per annum.

When fully operational, phase two of the project would substantially increase the volume of water supplied to South Africa. It was expected to increase the volume by 50 percent.

Bilateral co-operation between South Africa and Lesotho spans a wide range of areas including trade and investment, security, energy, transport, agriculture, tourism, water, as well as environment.

South Africa remains Lesotho's main trading partner where approximately 84 per cent of Lesotho's external trade is with South Africa.

President Zuma would be accompanied by Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa.