Aussie flags waved, trumpets blared, drums banged and there were chants of "Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi" as Australian football took its charm offensive to a black South African township.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief Frank Lowy said it was among the most heartfelt welcomes he had ever received, and no-one there would argue with him.

Hundreds of school children cheered and waved as an FFA delegation, accompanied by Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis, arrived to donate 9000 lap desks worth one million rand (over $A160,000) to the Mohlakano primary school.

Mothers stood in the streets with hands on their hearts mouthing "We love you" as an Australian cavalcade was taken on a procession around the tiny village in Randfontein, west of Johannesburg.

"I am so happy I am almost crying," said school principal Wilma Magome.

"We are honoured for Australians to adopt us."

When some sort of order could be established the primary schoolers sang South Africa's national anthem and teenagers in tribal clothing performed African dances.

"Football is a lot more than football," said Lowy.

"This is a great opportunity to make a difference to the people who are our wonderful hosts for the 2010 World Cup."

Ellis said Australian aid to Africa had risen by 40 per cent in one year, and the Australian people had donated $A280 million from their own pockets to African nations.

The welcome was so overwhelming it appeared to put Lowy slightly off message for a moment.

He said Australia wanted to reciprocate in 12 years time, in other words in 2022.

He soon corrected himself to say in 2018 or 2022.

The FFA boss insists Australia is still a legitimate bidder for both World Cups, despite his own Asian confederation boss giving his support to Europe for 2018.

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