Pittsburgh was treated this week to a visit by South African Consul General Fikile Magubane, who was exploring southwestern Pennsylvania with an eye toward broadening and deepening her country's relationship with the region.

Perhaps the most dramatic piece of information that Ms. Magubane put forth was that, so far, Americans are the largest foreign group purchasing tickets to the World Cup to be held in South Africa June 11-25. She was aware that professional soccer has not done especially well as a sport in the United States, but that, on the other hand, soccer is played more frequently by American youngsters, giving them both an understanding and a love of the sport.

According to the consul general, in spite of some skepticism expressed in the media, South Africa will be fully prepared to receive the games in the nine of its cities that will host matches. Only details remain to be mopped up.

Ms. Magubane also faulted the media for exaggerating the friction that occurred during South African President Jacob Zuma's recent visit to the United Kingdom, which took place in the wake of his third polygamous marriage. Mr. Zuma visited Pittsburgh last September during the G-20 summit. He apparently carried away a favorable impression from his short stay here which led, in part, to Ms. Magubane's lengthier exploratory mission.

The consul general's delegation included a vice consul and a business development manager. She was making a special point of making the companies, banks and entrepreneurs of this area aware of investment and trade opportunities in Africa's largest and strongest economy. In pursuit of that effort, South Africa is also considering the possibility of naming an honorary consul here, to join the 13 countries already represented in southwestern Pennsylvania in that capacity.

Given the role of South Africa as the locomotive that can pull the economic train in Africa, and the importance and diversity of its assets, Pittsburghers would see the relationship as one very much worth developing further.

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