SHANGHAI: Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has officially invited the world into South Africa's rondavel at the spectacular Shanghai 2010 World Expo.

More than 200 invited guests attended her official opening of the South African pavilion. These are not easy things to manage, especially in a round space. Nonetheless, it's a cool and homely South African space.

The guests drank South African wine and listened to a roster of speakers praising the important and growing links between China and South Africa.

Nkoana-Mashabane was perhaps a bit on the modest side when she praised her hosts for their achievements in staging "this billion-dollar event". The expo is estimated to have cost some $59 billion (R450bn).

 Nkoana-Mashabane predicted that the Shanghai 2010 World Expo would be remembered as one of the great events of the 21st century.

This is a spectacular exhibition in a spectacular city. The nations of the world have combined to outdo each other. For example, Japan has spent more than $150 million on its exhibit.

South Africa's theme, "The Rise of a Modern Economy" might well be the theme for the Chinese themselves.

South Africa's ambassador to China, Ndumisa Ntshinga, said many Chinese companies were choosing South Africa as a base from which to enter the African market, while others were leveraging networks of South African companies for fast access to the continent. Chinese banks had also entered South Africa with significant deals.

Source: The Star (www.thestar.co.za)