Date: 18/10/2010
Source: The Department of Home Affairs
Title: SA: Dlamini-Zuma: Remarks by the Minister of Home Affairs, at a press conference ahead of the Official Closing of the South African Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo, Shanghai

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 organizations <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_organization> 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 km", 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 peoples.

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, 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 organizations 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.