NEWS
Nigerians’ Visa Applications to South Africa Almost Double Despite Attacks on Foreigners — South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe Claims
Visa applications by Nigerians seeking to travel to South Africa have almost doubled, despite lingering concerns over attacks against foreigners and the safety of African migrants in the country.
The South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, disclosed this during an interview on Nigerian Info FM monitored by SaharaReporters, where he sought to reassure Nigerians that South Africa remains open to visitors travelling for tourism, business and other legitimate purposes.
Moroe said the sharp increase in visa applications was an indication that interest among Nigerians in visiting South Africa remains strong, despite concerns generated by reports of attacks involving foreign nationals.
“I indicated during the beginning of the show that the number of visa applications have almost doubled,” Moroe said.
According to the diplomat, the development demonstrates that Nigerians continue to view South Africa as an important destination for tourism, commercial activities, business engagements and other forms of travel.
“So we are quite comfortable and we have no doubt that a lot of Nigerians who still want to visit South Africa for whatever reason can still go there.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of longstanding concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly reports of violent attacks involving African migrants, including Nigerians. Such incidents have periodically strained relations between Nigeria and South Africa and triggered fears among prospective Nigerian travellers.
Seeking to address those concerns, Moroe emphasised that South Africa continues to welcome international visitors and remains committed to receiving Nigerians who meet the country’s immigration requirements.
“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,” he said.
The Consul-General, however, urged Nigerians travelling to South Africa to take their responsibilities seriously by obtaining the appropriate visa and complying fully 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.”
Moroe further advised Nigerians already in or planning to visit South Africa to understand their legal rights and responsibilities while also familiarising themselves with the laws governing the country.
He encouraged travellers to know where to seek assistance from law enforcement authorities whenever necessary, stressing the importance of being informed about the local environment.
“When you get to South Africa, you know and understand your rights, but you must also familiarize yourself with the laws of the country,” Moroe said.
Addressing the broader concerns over attacks on foreigners, the diplomat also pushed back against the characterisation of violent incidents involving migrants as evidence of widespread xenophobia in South Africa.
“There’s no xenophobia in South Africa,” he said.
The Consul-General’s comments are likely to attract attention in Nigeria, where South Africa remains a popular destination for business, tourism, education, entertainment and family visits, even as concerns over the safety of Nigerians and other foreign nationals periodically resurface.
The near doubling of visa applications, according to Moroe, suggests that despite those concerns, demand for travel to South Africa remains resilient, with many Nigerians continuing to pursue opportunities and experiences across the country.