TBM Staff - Mumbai
South Africa is developing mechanisms to expedite visa applications from India and is considering the introduction of an e-visa system for Indian tourists, according to Patricia de Lille, Minister for Tourism.
Speaking to the media at the Africa Indaba, South Africa’s premier tourism fair, de Lille highlighted that the first quarter of 2024 saw 16,000 Indian visitors to the country. The event was organised by South Africa Tourism.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested a joint report from the Ministers of Tourism, Home Affairs, and State Security on measures to speed up visa processing. The Tourism Ministry has proposed a 90-day visa waiver for travellers from China and India, similar to the existing waiver for Russian and Brazilian visitors, who can also apply for visa extensions while in South Africa.
De Lille noted that the current e-visa system is not meeting expectations for tourists from India and China, often requiring travellers to leave their passports with South African embassies for up to 25 days. To address this, the Tourism Ministry has established a facilitation center in the Minister’s office to expedite visa processing.
Additionally, the South African government is negotiating with South African Airways to increase flights to India, as the airline has not fully recovered from the impacts of COVID-19. The Johannesburg-Mumbai route, in particular, remains suspended. There are also plans to collaborate with Air India to enhance flight connectivity.
Earlier this year, a South African delegation visited five Indian cities to strengthen trade relations and promote joint business initiatives. This included roadshows in various Indian cities.
De Lille also mentioned the Mahatma Gandhi Route tourism program, which highlights significant sites related to Gandhi’s time in South Africa, including his residence and the press he established. The program documents historical events, such as Gandhi being thrown off a train due to racial discrimination.
Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head for the Middle East, India, and South East Asia at South African Tourism, was also present at the media interaction.
