Jackie Phamotse's letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa follows his announcement that he will make it easier for Nigerians to travel to South Africa.

Acclaimed author and controversial media personality Jackie Phamotse has expressed her opinions in an open letter addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

This follows Ramaphosa’s announcement this week that he would make it easier for Nigerians to travel to South Africa.

Travelling made easier

Ramaphosa said: “As part of the work underway to modernise and streamline visa application processes worldwide, South African missions in Nigeria have improved the efficiency and convenience of applying for a visa.

“This is part of the visa reforms initiated by the South African government. It aims to enable economic activities and boost tourism while protecting our national security. The modernisation of the visa application process does not compromise the integrity of the visa system.

“Prospective travellers can apply for their visas without submitting their passports along with their applications. At the time of application, they are only required to submit certified copies of the biopage of their passports. And their actual passports should also be available during the application process for verification and confirmation. 

“Once a visa has been approved, they are required to submit their passports for the process to be completed, and for the visa to be affixed in the passport.

“These changes have improved the customer experience while ensuring the security and integrity of the overall visa application process,” said Ramaphosa.

Phamotse concerned about human trafficking

Phamotse was, however, not impressed. She expressed concerns regarding the nation’s increasing risk of gender-based violence (GBV), human trafficking, and other violent crimes.

She questioned Ramaphosa’s awareness of the serious issue of human trafficking in the country. Many victims fall prey to forced labour, sexual exploitation, and other forms of modern-day slavery, she said.

“It is heartbreaking to see that our constitutional rights are not being protected. And our communities continue to suffer from poverty and unemployment,” wrote Phamotse.

“The lack of job opportunities and the feeling of being ignored by the government have eroded our faith in your leadership.

“Mr president, I urge you to reconsider your decision and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of South African citizens.

“Our children deserve to grow up in a secure and stable environment, free from threats of violence and exploitation.”

Funding for law enforcement

Phamotse added that a strategy that tackles GBV, human trafficking, and other violent crimes must be in place.

In order to combat human trafficking and support victims, she suggested increasing funding for law enforcement and social services.

She also recommended awareness-raising and education initiatives to stop GBV and human trafficking.

The letter reads further: “Strengthening of border control measures to prevent the entry of criminals and traffickers.

“Additionally, I urge you to address the root causes of poverty and unemployment, which are often linked to crime and violence.

“I implore you to listen to the concerns of your citizens and take concrete actions to protect our rights and ensure our safety.

More than 51,000 spaza shops have been registered, while 800 have been closed down. 

A total of 51,788 spaza shops have been registered so far, with 800 shops closed down due to noncompliance, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said on Wednesday.

Addressing the media, he said 93% of spaza shops that have been closed down are foreign-owned.

The December 13 deadline for spaza shop registrations is fast approaching. Mbalula said spaza shops that are not compliant will face consequences.

“The spaza shops that are not compliant as per the president’s grace period should cease operating or face the law. We cannot watch while our children die and the local economy suffers as a result of lawlessness,” Mbalula said.

He said the time had come to enforce compliance more rigorously.

“We must not falter in ensuring that the laws of the country are fully implemented. This includes ensuring that no illegal immigrants are allowed to operate tuck shops. Those who are legally in the country, they must prove investment in the business of over R5m as required by law.”

Mbalula emphasised the government's commitment to reclaiming the township economy through spaza shops.

“We call on the government to employ additional inspectors to monitor the sector and ensure that it serves its intended purpose: empowering South Africans and restoring economic dignity to our communities.”

Mbalula assured immigrants residing in South Africa they were welcome, but warned that action would be taken against those who exploited South Africa's laws.

“South Africa is not a playground for lawlessness. Anyone who undermines our legal system or compromises the safety and economic opportunities of South Africans will face the full might of the law.

“This includes immigrants who engage in criminal activities and South Africans who enable this criminality by illegally registering businesses or aiding criminal behaviour, zama zamas, drug peddlers and drug laboratories and illegal immigrants.

South Africa has announced measures to simplify travel for Indian tourists, including replacing the e-visa system with an electronic travel agreement for quicker approvals. Direct flights between the two countries

In a move aimed at strengthening travel and tourism ties with India, South Africa has recently announced measures to simplify travel for Indian tourists which includes replacing the country’s current e-visa system with a new electronic travel agreement. This move is expected to significantly expedite visa processing.

If reports are to go by, under the proposed system, Indian travellers applying for visas through accredited tour operators can expect approvals within two to three days. This development was announced by Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism. This initiative is expected to make South Africa a more accessible destination.
 
World's wildest destinations!
Direct flights between India and South Africa are also in the pipeline. Currently, talks between South African Airways and Indian carriers like SpiceJet and Indigo are underway. If and when successful, these direct flights are expected to reduce travel time to just 8-9 hours from major Indian cities like Mumbai and Delhi. At present, travellers have to go through lengthy layovers.


Next year, South Africa will assume the G20 presidency, and the country is all set to make tourism the key focus. Patricia De Lille emphasised that South Africa is planning to follow the examples of India, Brazil, and Indonesia by prioritising sustainable and inclusive tourism practices.

South Africa is aiming to use tourism as a driver of economic growth while ensuring it remains environmentally conscious and inclusive of local communities.


India and South Africa share deep historical and cultural connections, and with easier visa processes and the prospect of direct flights, the country is positioning itself as a prime destination for Indian travellers seeking wildlife safaris, cultural experiences, and adventure tourism. By addressing long-standing issues like visa delays and limited connectivity, South Africa is taking bold steps to attract a larger share of this lucrative market.


The Indian travel market has shown growing interest in unique international destinations. For Indian tourists, these developments promise a more seamless and meaningful travel experience, opening doors to South Africa’s diverse landscapes and vibrant culture.

These are the most vulnerable borders and the issues home affairs anticipates.
The South African port of entry could see significant increase in traffic this festive season with Home Affairs raising several major risks.
The Minister of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority (BMA) briefed parliament on Tuesday on their plan for readiness for the festive season and the operational challenges at the Lebombo port of entry considering the political instability in Mozambique.

Risk profiles
Among the major concerns raised are the risk of congestion, self-repatriation, corruption, borderline transgression, and ICT challenges.
According to Home Affairs, contributing factors to congestion are the outdated and inappropriate infrastructural layout, as well as inadequate corridor management.

Explaining self-repatriation, the department said “travellers who enter the RSA illegally and those with expired visas or have overstayed, often claim to be undocumented while departing to their countries of origin during peak seasons”.

Anti-smuggling
Among the “conceivable” crimes at the border is the smuggling of persons and goods into and out of South Africa.
Smuggling activities are often complex and syndicated as syndicates use various methods of smuggling and concealment individually or through the support of border officials.

Home Affairs said the response to this criminality required coordinated and dedicated operations to disrupt and dismantle the various smuggling syndicates.

It added that the Port Management Committees will collaborate with INTERPOL to conduct joint operations to combat various cross-border crimes including human trafficking, smuggling of goods and humans, vehicles, cash and contraband.
Vulnerable portions of the border

Furthermore, Home Affairs listed the following as vulnerable segments of the borderline:
•    Vioolsdrift Qacha’s nek,
•    Telle Bridge,
•    Van Rooyen’s Gate,
•    Jeppe’s Reef,
•    Pafuri,
•    Pontdrift,
•    Beit Bridge,
•    Grobler’s Bridge,
•    Kopfontein, and
•    Lebombo.

Additional Human resources
In response, Home Affairs said it would be intensifying its surveillance and boots on the ground.
The Beitbridge border post will be allocated 70 more South African Police Services (Saps) officers and six additional SA Revenue Services officials. 20 Cross-Border Road Transport Agency officials will also be at the post.
20 additional Border Management Authority members will be allocated to the Groblersbridge and Ficksburg ports of entry.
“The BMA will also collaborate with the Western Cape Provincial Government and the City of Cape Town to increase capacity at the Cape Town International Airport.

“The proposed capacity augmentation will be +- 60 Peace Officers added to the Immigration stream at the port,” the department said.

Synopsis
Canada announces significant immigration policy changes, impacting millions of temporary workers and students, especially Indian nationals. Temporary permits nearing expiration may force many to leave unless renewed or transitioned

Canada has recently announced several significant changes to its immigration policies, a move that is set to significantly impact millions of temporary workers and students currently residing in Canada. This includes a large number of Indian nationals. The updated policies, announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, are part of the Trudeau government’s efforts to address pressing issues in housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.

These changes are aimed at the domestic challenges Canada is currently facing, but it is also true that these new policies are going to have tremendous impacts on foreign nationals. For many, Canada is a prime destination for work and education.

Temporary permits set to expire
At present, if reports are to go by, almost five million temporary permits are going to expire by the end of next year (2025). No doubt, this is a cause of concern for many. As per the official government announcement, many of these temporary permit holders will have to leave Canada unless a permanent residency is secured or the permits are renewed.

Reports state that approximately 766,000 study permits are going to expire by December 2025. Keeping that in mind, there's a possibility that many of these international students may opt to renew their permits. Going for post-graduate work permits may also allow them to stay longer. But it is undeniable that the majority will need to return to their home countries. If anyone overstays their visas, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) will enforce immigration laws.

Under the revised immigration rules, reductions in both permanent and temporary resident targets will be seen over the next three years. As per reports, these measures are a response to Canada’s growing challenges in providing adequate housing, healthcare services, and infrastructure to support its population.

As per recent reports, by 2025, the yearly target for permanent residents will be reduced from 500,000 to 395,000. This represents a whopping 21percent decrease. Similarly, temporary foreign workers and international students will also see significant reductions in number. The number of foreign workers are expected to drop by over 40 percent, and international students by 10 percent by 2026.

How is it going to affect the Indian community
If reports are to go by, there are over 1.6 million Indians currently residing in Canada. Many of them are in Canada on temporary visas, such as work permits and study permits.

Indian nationals form a crucial part of Canada’s workforce, with roles ranging from engineers and technicians to executives and scientists. The revised policies may make it harder for these workers to extend their stay or transition to permanent residency, potentially leading to disruptions in their professional and personal lives.