More than 40% (147) of Africa`s 345 companies with revenues exceeding R18.8 billion (US$1 billion) are based in South Africa, a new report by wealth tracker McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) says. SA is the leader of the pack because it registered a 5.5% yearly average growth between 2015 and 2021 against a continental average of 4.9%. Egypt comes in second with 43 billionaire companies, followed by Nigeria with 23 and Morocco with 20. A distant fifth is Angola, with nine billionaire firms. The rest of the African countries range between zero and 6.The report revealed that 230 of those firms were founded in Africa or by Africans. MGI estimates that by 2030, Africa`s large corporations would have a combined value of over R10 trillion. "We estimate that large companies in Africa could increase their revenues collectively by more than $550 billion by 2030 with ambitious strategies to access new markets, strengthen productivity, increase operational efficiency, and play a role in society," reads the report. The report notes that the Covid-19 pandemic slowed down economic growth on the continent as "the number of large corporations overall on the continent shrank compared to other regions and countries." Most of the top-performing companies on the continent, according to the report, are in the fields of mining, oil and gas, retail, telecommunications, manufacturing, and financial services.

Poverty and growth

In terms of population, Africa has the numbers. According to estimates from Our World Data, by 2030, Africa's most populous countries would be Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Egypt.

The World Bank estimates that if things such as healthcare, economies, governance, and food security don't improve, nine in 10 extremely poor people will live in sub-Saharan Africa.

Consumption in Africa falls behind at the global level because most people on the continent live in conflict, famine and poverty.

Hence to unlock R56.4 trillion in consumer power, "this will take more than a growing population", says the report. 

There's a need for political and leadership will at the country-to-country level for the continent to map a sustainable growth pattern.

"Successes achieved at granular levels in countries, cities, and sectors offer models to reaccelerate growth.

"Increasing digitisation, developing talent, collaborating more regionally, supporting more business champions, and building green businesses are just some of the ways Africa can increase productivity," reads the GMI report.

The report estimates that if things were done accordingly, 250 million Africans will join the consuming class by 2030 and they will present "an opportunity for businesses to offer affordable prices at scale, target expansion in growth hot spots, and innovate in local value chains."

Over 178,000 Zimbabweans in South Africa have the special permit allowing them to live and work in the country.  

Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi has instructed his legal team to apply for leave to appeal court rulings which overturned his decision to terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) programme.

Earlier this week, a full bench in the Pretoria high court, declared the termination of the programme unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid, and directed the minister to reconsider the issue “following a fair process” that complies with the relevant laws. The court challenge was brought by the Helen Suzman Foundation and the Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa.

The judges ordered the extension of the programme  which affects about 178,000 Zimbabwean permit holders  for another 12 months.

In a separate, but related case, brought by the Zimbabwean Immigration Federation, the judges granted an interdict stopping any action being taken against ZEP holders, pending a review, still to be set down for hearing, of the Minister’s decision.

In the Helen Suzman ruling, the judges found that the Minister had not followed due process in considering the impact his decision will have on ZEP-holders and their children (born in South Africa) and had not considered the prevailing conditions in Zimbabwe.

He initially made no attempt to solicit representations and, when he did so belatedly, the process had not been meaningful. This rendered the decision procedurally unfair and irrational.

The judges said the decision was also an “unjustified” limitation of rights and thus must be reviewed and set aside in terms of the Promotion of Administration of Justice Act (Paja).

Following these rulings, Motsoaledi, in a statement, said he “will do everything in his power to ensure that immigration laws are enforced without fear or favour”.

Motsoaledi said the two judgments could not go unchallenged because they set a dangerous precedent. He said the findings regarding the applicability of Paja were highly questionable “particularly the requirement for public participation when a decision of this nature is taken, affecting a specified category of persons only, in this instance Zimbabwean nationals”.

He said the decision not to extend the permit exemptions involved policy considerations which fell within the domain of the executive.

“The judgment also deals with matters relating to a sacrosanct principle of separation of powers. The minister believes that this is another strong ground for appeal. The minister believes that the decision he took was correct and took into consideration all the interests and rights implicated, including those of children,” the statement read.

On the interim interdict granted in the Zimbabwean Immigration Federation matter, Moatsaledi said the purpose of this was not clear because he had issued directives in June this year, to ensure that the affected Zimbabwean nationals would not be deported, threatened with deportation and could travel freely between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Once all the court papers are filed, the three judges will have to decide whether or not to grant leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Should leave not be granted, the minister can apply directly to the appeal court for permission to appeal.

The Department of Home Affairs has extended its operating hours from Tuesday until Friday to deal with the influx of applications for identity documents and passports.

In a statement, it said it would open for an additional two extra hours every day to “meet the growing demands for services at offices”.

Department spokesperson Siya Qoza said Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi had approved a temporary extension of operating times by two hours at front offices from 8am to 5.30pm.

“This is to deal with the high demand for Smart ID cards and passport services at home affairs offices,” Qoza said.

“This extension applies to the 198 modernised Live Capture offices which can process Smart ID Cards and passports,” it said.

This meant that it applied to the offices that could process Smart ID Cards and passports.

Motsoaledi said the department usually received a higher volume of applications during the school holidays.

“To meet demand during this period, we have extended operating hours,” concluded Motsoaledi, emphasising it was a temporary move.

In another recent move, the department announced a further six-month extension of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP).

The ZEP was meant to expire on June 30 and was widely reported as the final extension.

However, the department extended it to December 31

For Americans, traveling to Turkey is very popular. to savor the delicious cuisine, fascinating historical architecture, and rich culture of Turkey. It is simple to apply for a Turkey visa online from the USA thanks to this convenient and modern system. Since the US is one of the nations whose citizens are qualified for an online Turkey e-Visa, US citizens can easily obtain travel authorization to this stunning and ancient nation. In an effort to expedite visa applications, the Turkish e-Visa has replaced the previous `sticker visa.`. There are three options for obtaining a Turkish visa from the US: online (recommended), at the airport, or at an embassy. It is acceptable for either one or more entries into Turkey. Even brief visits to Turkey are subject to visa requirements under Turkish law. The requirements for a US citizen to obtain a Turkey e-Visa are simple. The Turkey e-Visa, introduced in 2013, is a single or multiple entry visa that permits for a stay of 30 or 90 days depending on the passport holder`s nationality. It is also suitable for travel in Turkey. e-Visa Turkey allows US citizens to visit Turkey for up to 90 days. The e-Visa is valid for 180 days after it is issued. For stays of more than three months in Turkey, an embassy visa is necessary. The eVisa system is recommended for US citizens because it is the quickest and most convenient way to apply for a visa. Applying for a Turkish visa for US citizens no longer means going in person to a national embassy or consulate or getting a visa upon arrival at the border. Instead, the application is completely online. Americans fill out the form on their smartphone or computer and receive the approved Turkish e-Visa by email.

TURKEY VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR US CITIZENS

• A valid passport with an expiration date of at least 6 months from the date you intend to enter Turkey.

• A complete passport scan.

• A valid email address where notifications and the e-Visa will be sent.

• You can use a Credit/Debit card for paying the visa fees.

TURKEY VISA FROM CHINA

Turkey draws a lot of tourists each year because of its beautiful coastline, clear water, and seven different historical regions. If a person complies with certain requirements, they may enter Turkey without a visa. If you`re a Chinese citizen and want to travel to this wonderful nation, you must have a visa. Chinese nationals need a visa for Turkey because their country is not on the list of countries that are exempt from the requirement. Chinese nationals need to obtain an e-visa before crossing the Turkish border. In order to facilitate international travel, including by Chinese nationals, the Turkish government launched the Turkey e-Visa in 2013. Chinese nationals must submit an e-visa application before crossing the Turkish border. It serves as a substitute for the typical `sticker visa `. The Turkey e-Visa for Chinese Citizens is valid for tourist, business, and transit. It is valid for entry into the country via air, land, or sea. It grants Chinese visitors a single entry and a 30-day stay. The e-Visa is an online visa that is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. Turkey e-Visa for Chinese Citizens offers numerous benefits to visitors. Chinese citizens interested in staying longer in Turkey or planning to move to Turkey for professional or academic reasons should check with the Turkish Embassy in Beijing which travel document is most suitable for them. Turkish visa application for Chinese citizens is quick and easy thanks to the online electronic visa (e-Visa) system. The short online form only takes a few minutes to fill out, so you don`t have to hand in the documents to an embassy in person. It is widely considered the most convenient way to get permission to visit the Republic of Turkey.

Requirements of Turkey Visa for Chinese citizens

• Passport the general requirement is that your passport needs to be valid at least for six months from your intended date of arrival.

• A digital photo of you it is recommended that the photo is recently taken. Just make sure that it meets the photo requirements.

• E-mail address Your visa will be sent to you via e-mail, so make sure that you provide a valid e-mail address you have access to.

• Means of payment You can use multiple methods of payment such as credit and debit cards.

TURKEY VISA FROM CANADA

In recent years, Turkey has risen to prominence as a major tourist destination. Since Turkey offers such a wide variety of sights, landscapes, and activities that will make your stay special, more and more Canadians are making travel plans there. Since the introduction of the e-Visa system in 2013, the procedure for obtaining a visa to enter Turkey has been drastically sped up. For Canadian citizens, obtaining a Turkey e-Visa online is straightforward. Canadian nationals must obtain a visit visa to Turkey because their country is not included in the list of nations that do not require visas. One of the many nations whose nationals are qualified to apply for a Turkish electronic visa, also known as an e-Visa, is Canada. An e-Visa application can be made by Canadian citizens who intend to travel to Turkey for leisure or business. Additionally, traveling via Turkey is acceptable. The Turkey e-Visa Online is a single or multiple entry visa that allows stays of up to 30 or 90 days depending on the nationality of the passport holder and is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. Canadian citizens wishing to live in Turkey to work or study require a different type of visa, which can only be applied for at a Turkish embassy or consulate in their country of residence. If you want to stay in Turkey for more than 90 days for business or pleasure, you need to apply for a long-term permit instead of the e-Visa. Since the Turkey e-Visa is electronically linked to the applicant`s Canadian visa, once approved, the passport must be presented upon entry into Turkey. Applicants from Canada must meet certain requirements in order for their Turkey e-Visa to be approved. The online application form is quick and easy to fill out and can be completed from the comfort of your own home.

TURKEY VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR CANADIAN CITIZENS

• A Canadian passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the day Canadians arrive in Turkey

• A current email address that is frequently used because you will receive all your information about the documentation process via email.

• You can use a debit or credit card to pay for the visa fee.

TURKEY VISA FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Everyone can find something to enjoy in Turkey. Turkish embassy visits are no longer required for people with South African passports. In return, you will be able to apply online and get your e-visa more quickly. In advance of their trip, South Africans can apply for visas online. In 2013, the Turkish eVisa program was launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey. Online visa applications for Turkey are accepted from South Africa. More than 100 nations, including South Africa, are currently eligible for e-Visas from the Turkish government. Turkey is consequently growing in popularity among South African tourists. To enter Turkey for tourist, business, transit, or medical purposes, South African individuals must apply for a Turkey e-Visa. The Turkey e-Visa for South Africans is a multiple entry permit valid for stays of up to 30 days. The Turkey e-Visa is valid for a total of 180 days from the date of issue. It allows South African visitors multiple entries into Türkiye, with each journey lasting up to 90 days. This Turkey e-Visa has been launched to allow visitors to easily obtain their visas online. The process is faster and more convenient than applying for a traditional visa. This can be done in minutes from your home or office without having to visit the local Turkish Embassy or Consulate.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR CITIZENS OF SOUTH AFRICA

• Passport getting a South African passport is quite easy these days, so you should be able to get one fast. Make sure that it is valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to enter this country.

• Email address your Turkey e-Visa will be linked to your passport electronically, but you still need a copy to show at the immigration office in Turkey. Make sure that you provide a valid address.

• Means of payment You can use a credit or a debit card to pay for the eVisa fees.

TURKEY VISA FROM BAHRAIN

The Turkish online visa, also known as the Turkish e-Visa, is a document that allows visitors from other countries to enter Turkey. Bahrain is one of the nationalities that can submit an online application for a Turkey e-Visa when traveling or conducting business there. Holders of Bahraini passports are required to apply for a Turkey e-Visa (Electronic Travel Authorization), regardless of the length of their trip from one day to 90 days. Turkey`s government offers several different types of tourist visas, depending on the purpose of the trip. To enter Turkey, Bahraini nationals need a visa. Citizens of more than 100 countries can apply for a Turkey online visa, which is valid for 180 days after the date of entry. Bahrain is one of the nations that can apply for a Turkish e-Visa. Furthermore, transit visas for short layovers in Turkey are available. For all other types of travel, such as studying or working in Turkey, it is necessary to obtain a traditional visa through an embassy or consulate. Travelers can apply online for a Turkey visa from Bahrain in minutes without having to contact an embassy or consulate.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY BAHRAIN CITIZENS

• You can use a debit or credit card to pay for the Turkey eVisa fees from Bahrain.

• An email address to receive the approved Turkey visa in your Inbox.

• A valid Bahrain passport valid for at least 90 days from the date of arrival

On Wednesday a full Bench of the High Court handed down judgments finding against Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi in two Zimbabwean Exemption Permit related matters. Motsoaledi has announced that he will apply for leave to appeal against both judgments.The minister said the judgments set dangerous precedents. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced that his office will apply for leave to appeal against two Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) judgments handed down by a full Bench of the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria this week. The full Bench found against Motsoaledi on two different judgments, both relating to the ZEP. In the first, the court found that Motsoaledi`s decision to terminate the ZEP was invalid, unlawful and unconstitutional. Since 2009, eligible Zimbabweans have been granted exemption permits allowing them to live and work in South Africa. This specific type of permit, now known as the ZEP, was introduced for those who fled to South Africa due to their home country`s economic and political strife. The ZEP was due to expire in December 2021. Motsoaledi decided not to renew the permit, which affects more than 178 000 people, and extended the expiration deadline to the end of June 2023, which was later changed to December 2023.

The court found that the minister did not follow a fair process before making his decision, which should have included consultation with and an opportunity for ZEP holders to make representations.

The court also said Motsoaledi did not consider the impact his decision would have on the holders and that the decision was an unjustified limitation of rights on those affected.

The full Bench set the decision aside and ordered that the matter go back to Motsoaledi for reconsideration, following a fair process that complied with the requisite legislation.

The court also declared that, pending the process, the ZEP will be deemed to remain valid for the next 12 months.

News24 reported that in the second judgment, the court ordered Motsoaledi not to arrest or issue deportation orders for ZEP holders and that they be allowed to leave and return to South Africa.

Judgments can`t go unchallenged

In a statement on Thursday, Motsoaledi`s spokesperson Siya Qoza said the minister had carefully studied the first judgment and took legal advice.

`The two judgments cannot go unchallenged as they set a dangerous precedent,` Qoza said.

The statement said these precedents are the findings of the court on the applicability of certain sections of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), which the Department of Home Affairs said was `highly questionable, particularly the requirement for public participation when a decision of this nature is taken, affecting a specified category of persons only. In this instance, the affected Zimbabwean nationals.`

It added: `The decision that the minister took not to extend the Zimbabwean exemptions involves weighing of policy considerations which falls within the domain of the executive.`

The minister also believes that judgment deals with matters relating to the separation of powers, which he believes is another `strong ground for appeal`.

On the second judgment, the department said Motsoaledi would challenge the outcome of the matter on the same basis as the first judgment.

`It is not clear as to what is the purpose of [the] interdict when in fact the minister issued directives to ensure that the affected Zimbabwean nationals continue to enjoy the protections afforded by the directives,` Qoza said.

`The last minister’s immigration directive was issued on 7 June 2023. Since the minister took the decision, no Zimbabwean national has been threatened in any manner whatsoever and/or deported.

`They continue to enjoy freedom of movement between South Africa and Zimbabwe and anywhere, as pleaded in the affidavits filed in court on behalf of the minister showing significant movements to and from Zimbabwe by the affected Zimbabwean nationals and their families.`

According to the statement, Motsoaledi has already instructed his legal team to launch an application for leave to appeal against both judgments.

`The minister would like to take this opportunity to assure the nation that he will do everything in his power to ensure that the immigration laws of the Republic of South Africa are enforced without fear or favour.`