South Africa Anticipates Increased Visitor Traffic Through Entry Ports This Festive Season

Johannesburg, Dec 2 (NationPress) South Africa is poised to welcome a higher number of visitors at its ports of entry during the forthcoming December-January festive season, according to a government representative on Monday.

Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Michael Masiapato made these comments in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, while updating the media on control measures at entry ports during the festive season.

During the pre-Covid festive period of 2019/2020, the BMA managed 6.3 million individuals at the entry ports. This number dropped to approximately 1.6 million during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 periods.

However, in the 2022/2023 period, we saw a recovery to over four million individuals. This upward trend continued into 2023/2024, surpassing five million. We anticipate returning to the pre-Covid figure of over six million people during the upcoming festive season, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The BMA plans to extend operating hours at some key entry ports that do not currently operate 24/7. Additionally, talks have been initiated with neighboring countries, such as Lesotho, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, to enhance border procedures and collaborate on operational strategies for the festive period. Masiapato stated, “We will also increase staffing at the busiest ports of entry to enhance service delivery and provide technical assistance.”

According to the BMA, South Africa boasts 71 entry ports, including 52 land ports, 10 international airports, and nine seaports.