Pretoria - It was a royal affair at Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's residence on Friday when Japanese Princess Takamado presented him with a soccer t-shirt autographed by the Japanese team.
The princess, who is also an honorary patron of the Japanese Football Association, was in the country to support Japan's soccer team, also known as the Blue Samurai, when she visited the deputy president in Pretoria.
She brought along the autographed soccer t-shirt, which was in the blue of the Japanese team, and had the name Motlanthe printed on the back.
"I'm now part of the Blue Samurai," the deputy president remarked as he held up the t-shirt.
Smartly dressed in a beige dress, a short jacket and clutching white gloves together with a soccer ball patterned handbag, the princess accepted a snow globe that enclosed a replica of Soccer City from Motlanthe, with much delight.
Motlanthe told the princess that Soccer City was where the final match of the world cup would be played.
"I hope the Blue Samurai participate in that final," he added.
"Isn't it lovely?" the princess asked as she excitedly shook the snow globe, joking that if she turned it to just the right angle she could see the Japanese team inside.
She broke out in laughter when he handed the second gift - a vuvuzela covered in beads to show the South African flag.
The princess did not try out the vuvuzela herself but instead handed it over to Motlanthe who show her how it was done.
It was Princess Takamado's first visit to South Africa. She became a member of the Japanese Imperial family through her marriage to Prince Takamado.
Togwawa Hiroyuki, from the Japanese Embassy, said the princess had come to South Africa specifically for the World Cup and had met with the Japanese team to encourage them a day before their crucial match with Denmark.
She was among the thousands of fans cheering the team on to a 3-1 victory over Denmark at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Thursday. The win also meant that Japan moves on to the next Round of 16 of the World Cup.
While in South Africa, the princess also visited a number of charities and met with South African groups that have strong links to Japan.
