South Africans express their discontent with President Cyril Ramaphosa following his declaration of a streamlined five-year visa procedure for Nigerian citizens.
This initiative, unveiled during the 11th Session of the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission in Cape Town on December 3, has ignited anger, prompting numerous individuals to use social media under the hashtag #RamaphosaMustGo to call for his resignation.
The policy seeks to stimulate economic expansion and tourism by facilitating visa processes for Nigerian entrepreneurs. Qualified applicants will receive a five-year multiple-entry visa, with no requirement to submit a passport during the application stage.
“Our initiatives to foster a positive environment include rolling out a simplified visa procedure for Nigerian entrepreneurs,” President Ramaphosa stated, emphasizing that this is part of broader reforms to modernize global visa application frameworks.
Nonetheless, the government’s ambitions have been met with intense backlash. Detractors accuse the administration of overlooking domestic issues in favor of international relations. An open letter to the president and extensive online criticism showcase public ire.
The lenient visa policy emerges at a time of tense relations between Nigerians and South Africans, with social media frequently acting as a battleground for heated discussions. Many South Africans worry the policy could exacerbate existing social and economic problems, especially given apprehensions about unemployment and limited public resources.
However, the presidency has maintained its position, asserting that the policy is part of a wider strategy to fortify bilateral relations and enhance economic collaboration between South Africa and Nigeria.