ANC president Jacob Zuma has called for religious leaders to work together with the ruling party in narrowing the racial divide in the Western Cape, said an official.

"The president called on religious leaders to work together in dealing with the perception that the Western Cape is racially divided," said Zuma's spokesperson Zizi Kodwa.

There was a perception which has been carried over from apartheid that the Western Cape has more challenges of racism than any other province in the country, he said.

About 500 religious leaders from various churches met Zuma at Bishopscourt in Cape Town.

Kodwa said that religious leaders also voiced their concerns about poor service delivery and crime.

Zuma emphasised the role religious leaders have in society and said it was time for government and churches to be united in leading communities.

During his visit to the Western Cape, Zuma is scheduled to meet with members of the fishing community and attend the funeral of Leslie Yengeni, the father of ANC parliamentarian Tony Yengeni, who died recently.