South Africa’s Consul-General in Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, says interest among Nigerians in travelling to the country remains strong, with visa applications reportedly almost doubling in recent months despite concerns over xenophobic attacks.
Moroe gave the assurance during an interview with Nigeria Info FM on Sunday, saying South Africa remained open to Nigerians travelling for tourism, business and other purposes.
His comments came amid renewed concerns over reports of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African migrants have been affected by sporadic violence in parts of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
The attacks, which have sometimes been linked to tensions over employment and allegations of criminal activity, have included assaults, looting of businesses owned by foreign nationals and forced displacement.
The incidents have generated strong reactions in Nigeria and other African countries. The Federal Government also said it had facilitated the repatriation of more than 1,400 Nigerians who were stranded or concerned about their safety in South Africa.
Despite the concerns, Moroe said the increase in visa applications indicated that Nigerians continued to regard South Africa as an attractive destination.
He also dismissed reports circulating online that South African diplomatic missions in Nigeria had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians.
“I just want to give reassurance that South Africa is open for business, South Africa is open for tourism, and South Africa is open for any other form of visit.
“And it is also untrue to suggest that South African missions in Nigeria do not offer visas to Nigerians anymore.
“But I can assure you and the listeners, that it is safe to travel to South Africa. I indicated during the beginning of the show that the number of visa applications have almost doubled,” he said.
The Consul-General urged Nigerians planning to travel to South Africa to secure the appropriate visas before departure and comply with the country’s immigration regulations.
“It is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that before you travel, you ensure that you have your visa, you comply with the immigration laws of the country, you become a good ambassador of your country,” he said.
Moroe also advised Nigerian visitors to familiarise themselves with South African laws and understand their rights and responsibilities while in the country.
He encouraged travellers to identify nearby law enforcement facilities and other relevant authorities in case of emergencies.
“When you get to South Africa, you know and understand your rights, but you must also familiarise yourself with the laws of the country.
“You choose places that you want to visit … and ensure that you also are familiar with the location of law enforcement agencies, just in case something happens,” Moroe added.
The Consul-General expressed optimism that movement between Nigeria and South Africa would continue to increase, stressing that Pretoria attached great importance to its bilateral relationship with Abuja.
