South Africa Assures Nigerian Travelers of Safety

The South African Consulate General in Lagos has moved to address growing South Africa travel safety concerns. Officials insist the country remains welcoming to Nigerian visitors despite a wave of cancelled bookings.

In a statement, the consulate said it had taken note “with great concern” of reports that Nigerian travellers were revising or cancelling their plans. The shift followed news of protests and alleged violence against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.

South Africa “unequivocally condemns all acts of intimidation, violence, discrimination and unlawful conduct directed at anyone, including foreign nationals,” the statement read. Such acts, it added, contradict the country’s democratic values and clash with the spirit of Ubuntu, a philosophy central to South Africa’s national identity, rooted in concepts of human kindness and community.

Why South Africa Travel Safety Concerns Are Rising

Anti-immigrant sentiment has spread across major cities in recent weeks. Groups like the “March and March” movement have staged demonstrations in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. Protesters are demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa by a self-imposed June 30 deadline.

The consulate stressed that violence and lawlessness don’t reflect government policy. “No individual or group has the authority to take the law into their own hands,” the statement said. Officials acknowledged that illegal immigration is a legitimate public concern, but said it must be tackled through proper state channels, not civilian action.

Tourism remains vital to South Africa’s economy. Nigeria ranks among the country’s largest African tourism markets, the consulate noted, citing strong historical, cultural and economic ties between the two nations. Law enforcement agencies are actively monitoring the situation, while government bodies work with communities to restore calm.

Ramaphosa Defends Open Immigration Policy

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the unrest in a speech on Sunday. He described South Africa as a nation built by migration, one that stays open to visitors who follow legal immigration rules.

“Migration, when properly managed and lawful, contributes positively to economic growth, regional cooperation and cultural exchange,” Ramaphosa said. He urged citizens not to blame migrants for unemployment and crime, calling these “our own problems, and which we have a responsibility to fix ourselves.” Ramaphosa also announced new measures targeting illegal immigration through legal frameworks rather than vigilante action.

African Nations Repatriate Citizens Amid Unrest

Several African governments have already begun pulling their citizens out of South Africa. Nigeria evacuated an initial group of 268 nationals, with more than 1,000 others registered for return. Ghana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique have launched similar repatriation efforts.

Malawi has been transporting hundreds of citizens home by bus from Durban. More than 1,000 Malawians reportedly gathered in the city while awaiting evacuation.

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi warned last week that the violence is hurting South Africa’s global reputation. She said South African artists are losing income as continental performances get cancelled in response to the unrest.

World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also weighed in, calling the violence a “tragic betrayal” of African solidarity shown to South Africa during apartheid. He said five Ethiopians and five Mozambicans died in the attacks. South African authorities dispute that framing, linking the Ethiopian deaths to organised crime rather than xenophobia.

For now, South African officials continue urging calm. The consulate’s message to Nigerian travellers, stakeholders and investors stays consistent: South Africa remains open, safe and ready to welcome visitors who follow its laws. Whether that reassurance eases the current wave of cancellations remains to be seen as repatriation efforts continue across the continent.