The South African government on Friday said U.S. President Barack Obama's upcoming visit is important though some organizations are to launch protests.

Obama is to make a state visit to South Africa at the end of this month as part of his three-nation African trip.

"The U.S. is an important player, and South Africa would benefit from discussing the problems on the African continent with President Obama," South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ebrahim Ebrahim said.

"It is important that the president of the U.S. is visiting South Africa, we have very good political and economic relations," the official added.

It will be the first time for Obama to visit South Africa after assuming the office of U.S. president in January 2009.

He is the first African American to hold the post of the president in the United States..

Obama's African trip will also take him to Senegal and Tanzania.