South Africa’s Consul‑General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, says visa applications from Nigerians have almost doubled this year, even as concerns persist over attacks targeting African migrants in the country.
He made the disclosure during an interview on Nigeria Info FM, monitored by another online media, SaharaReporters, where he assured Nigerians that South Africa remained open for tourism, business and other legitimate travel.
Moroe said the sharp rise in applications showed that Nigerians were still willing to visit the country despite public anxiety over safety.
“I indicated during the beginning of the show that the number of visa applications have almost doubled,” he said. “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.”
South Africa Says It Remains Open to Visitors
The Consul‑General addressed fears linked to past incidents of violence against African migrants, including Nigerians, which have drawn criticism from rights groups such as Amnesty International.
He insisted that South Africa continued to welcome visitors and urged Nigerians to comply with immigration rules before travelling.
“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.
He advised travellers to familiarise themselves with local laws, their rights, and the locations of law enforcement agencies. “When you get to South Africa, you know and understand your rights, but you must also familiarize yourself with the laws of the country,” he added.
Envoy Rejects Description of Attacks as Xenophobia
Moroe also rejected the description of violent incidents involving foreigners as xenophobia, a term widely used in media reports and by organisations such as the United Nations (UN).
“There’s no xenophobia in South Africa,” he said, insisting that the country was not hostile to migrants.
His comments come as Nigeria and South Africa continue diplomatic engagement over migrant safety, following previous tensions linked to attacks in Johannesburg and Durban.
The South African government has repeatedly said it is working with security agencies to prevent violence and protect foreign nationals.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
