There was a heavy police presence at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's (UKZN) Howard College Campus on Thursday, in anticipation of the arrival of African National Congress president Jacob Zuma.

Zuma's bodyguards swept the area before their charge arrived at the Rick Turner building to deliver a keynote address at the launch of the Gandhi-Luthuli chair of peace studies.

The hall was filled to capacity with guests including Durban deputy mayor Logie Naidoo, and freedom fighter Fatima Meer.

The crowd was entertained by Zuma supporters singing "my president" and "awu lethu mshini wami", and Zulu dancers in brightly-coloured clothing.

Dignitaries expected to speak at the launch were UKZN vice-chancellor professor Malegapuru Makgoba, India's high commissioner to South Africa Rajiv Kumar Bhatia, and Anand Sharma the minister of state for external affairs of India.

In a statement, Makgoba said the chair reflected the university's growing internationalisation.

"It also creates an academic space for articulating and sustaining a growing demand for a relevant curriculum of African-Asian studies...," he said.

The Gandhi-Luthuli chair of peace studies commemorates those who fought against the apartheid regime for peace and non-violence.

It will deal with issues relating to human rights, philosophy, language, history and morality in civil society.