Zhong Yanqun, the fulltime deputy director of the World Expo Bureau, talks with Dr Essop Pahad, South Africa's Minister to the Presidency

South Africa will draw on the experience of the Shanghai World Expo organizers for when it hosts the World Cup 2010, a senior South African minister said yesterday.

The Beijing Olympics and the Paralympics were an unprecedented success, Dr Essop Pahad, South Africa's Minister to the Presidency told Zhong Yanqun, the fulltime deputy director of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai Executive Committee, during his visit to the Bureau of the Shanghai World Expo Coordination yesterday. Pahad believes the Shanghai World Expo will be just as successful.

Pahad said the South Africa government has always attached great importance to the Shanghai World Expo and decided to participate early on.

The country will showcase its produce and tourism resources during the Expo, said Pahad. He said his government will launch a national Expo promotion in October.

Zhong thanked the South African government for its support. Zhong said South Africa is the only African country building its own pavilion for the Expo.

The minister also visited the master plan exhibition hall in the Expo Mansion and had a bird's eye view of the site.

Zhong presents Haibao, Shanghai Expo mascot to Dr Essop Pahad

 Dr Essop Pahad has a bird's eye view at the Expo site