Pretoria - South Africa and Cuba agreed on Friday that more had to be done to change the world's social order to enable a response to poverty, disease and underdevelopment, the international relations department said.

"These problems pose a serious threat to the existence of humanity," said South Africa's ambassador to Cuba Phatse Justice Piitso and the Cuban Communist Party's head of international relations Jorge Martí.

They met on Friday for talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, the department said in a statement.

During the meeting, Piitso reaffirmed South Africa's appreciation for Cuba's support of education, health and social services on the continent.

South Africa's political relationship with Cuba dates back to the struggle against apartheid.

Piitso and Mart said more had to be done to improve the countries' relationship, the department said.