Students at a primary school near Johannesburg have been presented with some of the thousands of lapdesks the Australian government is planning to donate to Africa.
Lapdesks are small, portable desks that fit on the lap and open up into a slanted surface for writing and other work.
On the eve of the World Cup, Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy and Australian government officials visited the Mohlakano school to present the desks.
SBS football reporter Andrej Bucko accompanied the delegation, met by an enthusiastic crowd.
Throughout the streets of the town the drivers had to slow down almost to a standstill. People around were dancing, drumming, making noise with vuvuzelas, blocking the roads, waving from houses, smiling, just jumping out of their skins.
This continued at the school.
Mr Lowy said that the federation and the government would deliver 10,000 of the lapdesks to help improve the children's learning conditions.
The Australian High Commissioner to South Africa. Anne Harrap, put the excitement in context.
"I've been in South Africa since December 2008 and, while South Africans are very welcoming to Australians, I think today has been quite exceptional, particularly from the little kids.
"You know, to see the excitement on their faces. They're obviously very proud of Australia, wanting to support us. And having us involved in their community is something that they seem to be very happy about, which is great."
Mr Lowy has talked up Australia's chances of securing the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.
"I can tell you one thing, that, in 12 years' time, we will want to do the same reception that we have received here. I've never seen any reception like that before, but you can see that they're pouring their hearts out to us, and we'll do the same thing for them. So 2012, or (rather) 2022 or 2018, that will be the time for us to reciprocate.
"How important is it for the bid? I think we're showing what Australia does what it can do, and not only in hosting a World Cup but in generally being with the rest of the people.
"And I think the government of Australia has done a wonderful job to allow us to do these benefits to the various communities that we visit."
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