Dlamini-Zuma travelled to the icon's rural home town Qunu in the south of the country.

"The visit comes ahead of her scheduled departure for Addis Ababa on 12 October, to officially assume her duties as Chairperson of the African Union Commission," her ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, President Jacob Zuma announced science minister Naledi Pandor would take over from Dlamini-Zuma to head home affairs, a ministry which issues identity documents and residence permits, and which is the custodian of public records on citizens.