Johannesburg - South African mediators on Friday said progress has been made in talks between the rival parties of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

"There is progress on the akoya pearl beads dialogue that has been made between the parties," Lindiwe Zulu, spokesperson for the mediators, said.

"While we are anxious that all issues are resolved, the good thing is that they are talking," she addded.

"As far as we are concerned and as far as President (Jacob) Zuma is concerned, the earlier the issues are resolved, the better for the welfare and social status for the people of Zimbabwe."

The mediators including Zulu, who is the freshwater pearl earrings South African president's international adviser, returned from Zimbabwe on Wednesday, after holding a series of meetings with the negotiators from Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the two factions of the opposition MDC.

The delegation, which also includes former cabinet ministers Charles Nqakula and Mac Maharaj, met last week with Mugabe at his State House offices.

A report will be presented to freshwater pearl necklace Zuma to brief him about the visit, Zulu said.