Thank you programme director.
Deputy Minister Mashatile, Ambassador Langa and Consul-General Khumalo,
Ladies and gentlemen of the media, thank you for making time to attend this press conference ahead of the official closing of the South African Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo later tonight.
On 1 May 2010, South Africa joined 242 participants made up of 192 nations and 50 international organisations as the Shanghai World Expo opened its doors under the theme “Better City, Better Life.”With the Shanghai Expo being the world’s largest ever fair site ever at 5.28 km², this is also the largest participation at any expo.
It has therefore been a pleasure to showcase South Africa in all its facets at the expo and would like to thank the Government of the People’s Republic of China for inviting us to participate. As you know South Africa and China share strong bilateral political, economic and trade relations. China is also a strategic partner of South Africa and our biggest trading partner since last year.We also share strong bonds of friendship between our people.
The theme of the Shanghai Expo has strong resonance for us in South Africa especially as we attempt to deal with huge inequalities amongst our people.The South African government has therefore prioritised five areas of delivery to the people with the aim of improving the quality of life for all South Africans, education, and healthcare, eliminating crime, provision of decent work and sustainable livelihoods and rural development. These priorities speak directly to the theme of the Shanghai Expo.
South Africa, in line with its commitment to achieve these five priorities, branded its Pavilion: “South Africa: The rise of the modern economy. Ke Nako.”Some of you will know this means it is time.We believe it is time for South Africa to rise into a modern economy. Indeed, we reiterate without equivocation that Africa’s time has come.What is required is for us all to be united in the vision to make the 21st century the African one.
The Shanghai Expo provided South Africa with an opportunity to showcase itself to the world, to show that we are indeed ready to metamorphosise into a modern economy. We believe that the fact that the South African and joint African Pavilions have received over three million and 10 million visitors respectively indicated the interest that the world has taken in Africa and South Africa.This was also attested to by the exposure South Africa and Africa received during its hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa is however more than just a rainbow coloured nation. It is one of great industrial and scientific prowess in Africa. We therefore believe our private sector has a great responsibility to take forward the opportunities presented by this exposure to contribute to the growth of the economy which will ensure government delivers on its mandate to improve the lives of all our people. We are very pleased that 72 South African business organisations participated in the Expo during these past six months.
Both governments have also created enabling environments for our partners in business to use opportunities presented in the respective private sectors. Well regulated financial controls and the appropriate agreements have also been put in place to ensure that business is conducted in a safe and sustainable manner.
It is too early to calculate the impact of our participation in this Expo on our economy but I am confident we will begin to see very positive effects.We reiterate however, South Africa is open for business and ready to serve as a gateway to the rest of Africa.
As we close our Pavilion, I take this opportunity to invite people of China and indeed the world to visit us in any capacity or context business, academia, tourism. South Africa is open and ready to welcome you.
I thank you.
Transcript copy following press conference
Question: Minister, what will happen to the Pavilion and the exhibit following the conclusion of the expo? What impressions have the Chinese people had of South Africa during the Expo?Will you be holding any further activities until the conclusion of the Expo?
Answer: (Minister Dlamini Zuma) To begin, there are number of possibilities regarding the content of the Pavilion post 31 October 2010. We are in the process of finalising which option we will take. Of course, we are aware if we go for the (inaudible) site, it may not be here but elsewhere.
The Pavilion will continue to function until the end of October 2010. This is just a function to mark our participation in the expo because the last few days have to be used by the host and we have to wind down our major activities especially those attended by Ministers from South Africa.However, the South African Pavilion will be open until 31 October 2010.
Question: The expo will only close on 31 October, so why have you chosen to have the closing ceremony today?Will the Expo still be opened? What have you learnt during your hosting of this Pavilion?
Answer: (Minister Dlamini Zuma) Regarding the lessons learnt from our participation at the Expo, it has been a great pleasure and eye opener to have participated in this Expo in particular. It has also shown us that the Expo has to be based on a very diverse programme. We have realised we could not run the same programme throughout the six months we have been here.
We have had to diversify our programmes according to our economy, our social lives, and also the exposure to different cities in our country must be considered. It has that the local community visiting the Expo is also very important. We have seen thousands of Chinese citizens visiting the Expo in general and our Pavilion in particular. It was therefore important to cater for the interests of ordinary people, both in China and elsewhere, not just business.
We are sure that the combination of our participation at the Shanghai Expo and the World Cup has totally rebranded South Africa to the world.And it was not only rebranded, but South Africa has also been exposed to a lot of people, especially young people around the world and this has created a better understanding of South Africa and Africa, amongst others, the people of China.
South Africa has also been introduced as an industrial country as well as a trading destination. To date 72 business organisations have participated in the Expo. They have come from different sectors mining, energy, minerals, defence, information technology (IT), agro-processing and a whole range of others.So, there has been interaction between South African and Chinese business and we are confident there will be further conversations between these business houses and we will see co-operation in a variety of areas.
Our culture has also been showcased this is a very important area. You would have seen our culture here in the Pavilion but also through the performances rendered by South African artists. We have also realised that we should have encouraged more of our cities to participate in the Expo. We think in future, more cities must participate more fully in these Expos. All in all, we think we have done very well and we think every penny spent on organising and participating in this Expo has been worth it.
Question: Minister, why have you chosen to conclude your participation in the expo with a fashion show? In the following days, what activities will you hold?
Answer: (Minister Dlamini Zuma) South Africa like other countries, also likes fashion, and this is why we have a fashion show here tonight. As for the other activities to follow, I think the Consul-General will elaborate.
(Consul-General Khumalo) Thank you Minister for taking the difficult questions. I can only deal with the activities to follow.
Like our Pavilion director said and the Minister alluded to, the Pavilion will continue to run until 31 October 2010 even after tonight.The fashion show will continue in some small way where we will showcase the work of some designers during the days to follow.We will also showcase science, climate change and the environment. This is what will happen in the days to come. These activities will continue.
Thank you.
