VANGUARD
South Africans have expressed mixed reactions following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of simplified visa processes for Nigerians.
The new measures include five-year multiple-entry visas and the option for Nigerian tourists to apply for visas without submitting their passports.
The announcement was made during the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town on Tuesday, where President Bola Tinubu was also present.
“Our efforts to create a favourable environment included simplifying the visa process for Nigerian business people travelling to South Africa. Qualifying Nigerian business people were granted a five-year multiple-entry visa,” Ramaphosa said at the event.
Although the initiative seeks to strengthen business and tourism connections, some South Africans have taken to social media to express their disapproval, criticizing President Ramaphosa for the decision.
@maggyvalen wrote, “This man hates South Africans,you cant tell me otherwise,he is now gaslighting us because he knows how we feel about Nigeria.”
@Packer_an noted, “Why Nigeria of all countries.”
@Lebona_cabonena said, “The whole of Nigeria is gonna come to South Africa.”