Africa Archives - Page 177 of 197

Angolan ex-refugees given chance to apply for residency in South Africa

Angolan ex-refugees in South Africa who were given a two-year deadline in 2013 to return to their country have been given a chance to apply for residency.

SA committed to fulfilling obligations towards refugees

According to the Legal Resources Centre (LRC)‚ the negotiated settlement allows for former Angolan refugees falling into this category to submit further documents to the Department of Home Affairs in order to attempt to regularise their stay in South Africa and apply for permanent residency.

The LRC represented Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town and a number of former Angolan refugees in litigation against the Department of Home Affairs regarding the legal status of former Angolan refugees in South Africa.

In 2013‚ Home Affairs decided that former Angolan refugees no longer needed the protection of the South African government‚ as Angola was considered politically stable. Those Angolans who had been recognised refugees in South Africa were advised to apply for a special type of visa (Angolan Cessation Process Permit) which would allow them to legally work and study in South Africa for another two years‚ while making plans to return to their country.

“Many Angolans have lived in South Africa for close to 20 years. They have created lives for themselves and raised their families in South Africa.

Source

Kenya

Kenya Pops On Investors Radar As Commodity Prices Slump Hits Africa’s Top Economies

Kenya, one of Africa’s leading economies, is enjoying an investor boom amid the economic crisis that has hit South Africa and Nigeria occasioned by a persistent commodity prices slump.

The leading economy in East Africa grew by 5.7 percent last year and it is projected to expand at an average of six percent up to 2018.

The stability of the Kenyan Shilling, which is the most stable of all the leading eight-currencies traded across the continent and one of the best performers this year, has been a major attraction for investors, Bloomberg reported.

In South Africa and Nigeria, the two leading economies on the continent, their national currencies have been struggling in the past two years, scaring investors away and forcing several to close down operations.

The Rand hit an all-time low against the dollar in August while bonds and shares struggled as the political battles between President Jacob Zuma and his Finance minister, Pravin Gordhan intensified.

In Nigeria, a shortage in foreign currency reserves has hit investors hard. They have been forced to cut down their staff size and other closed operations due to the crisis.

The West African nation is in its worst economic crisis in 25 years, after it slumped into recession in August, Sahara Reporters reported.

The drastic reduction in oil production following militant attacks in the Niger Delta region in May further compounded the situation.

Last week, the rand became the world’s most politically volatile currency while in Nigeria, the naira hit a record low of 445 to the dollar, in a country where the black market forex has nearly crippled the economy.

Source

South Africa

Department of Home Affairs implements new birth certificate travel requirements for minors

In a move to streamline the process of travelling with minors in or out of South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs has implemented two versions of the birth certificate.

Previously, an abridged birth certificate was issued to parents for newborns up until 2013, however since 2014, an unabridged birth certificate was issued to all newborns, which entails both parent’s details.

From Tuesday, November 1, newborns in South Africa will now receive a birth certificate, a single document which details both their maternal and paternal birth details.

In a nutshell, it simply remains an unabridged birth certificate, this just means that the word ‘unabridged’ as well as the abridged birth certificate is being removed.

Home Affairs director general Mkuseli Apleni confirmed this during a public announcement in Johannesburg on October 28, stating the “replacement of the name “unabridged birth certificate” with “birth certificate.”
Unchanged travel requirements for minors at South African ports of entry
South Africans travelling with minors will still need a birth certificate detailing both parents details when travelling in or out of the country.

Source

South Africa

South African passport holders require visas for New Zealand as from 21 November 2016:

Visa changes for South African nationals:

All South African visitors to New Zealand will require visitor visas from the 21 November this year.

These changes are being made as a result of an increase in the number of South African nationals who have been refused entry at the New Zealand border in comparison to other visa waiver countries.

Currently, people from South Africa do not need to apply for a visitor visa before travelling to New Zealand, with genuine visitors being granted a visitor visa on arrival. As a result of the change all visitors from South Africa will need to obtain a visa before travelling to New Zealand.

INZ recommends that applicants apply for a visitor visa about six weeks in advance of their intended travel dates.

South Africa visa changes – Questions and Answers

Why is the Government introducing visitor visa requirements for all South African nationals wishing to travel to New Zealand?

The Government is introducing these changes as a result of an increase in the number of ineligible passengers who do not meet New Zealand entry instructions.

This is evidenced by an increase in the number of passengers who have been refused permission to board a flight to New Zealand or refused entry at the border in comparison to other visa waiver countries.

Additionally, there have been incidents of passengers who have been found holding counterfeit or fraudulently obtained South African passports.

What do these changes mean?

This means that on and after the 21 November all South African nationals will need to obtain a visa before travelling to New Zealand

Applicants wishing to travel to New Zealand can visit the Visas Zone website to obtain requirements and applications forms.

Questions and answers:

I’m from South Africa and purchased a ticket prior to today’s’ announcement, what happens now?

People who have already purchased tickets for travel to New Zealand prior to today’s (And departing on of after 21 November 2016) announcement should immediately apply for a visitor visa.

I’m planning to travel to New Zealand before 21 November, but I won’t be leaving until afterwards. Do I need to apply for a visa before I travel?

No. You will be a granted visitor visa on your arrival in New Zealand providing you meet standard requirements (such as having sufficient funds, an outward ticket and satisfying the immigration officer you are genuinely intending a visit). The visitor visa will remain valid for up to three months from your arrival.

I’m a South African national in New Zealand and wish to extend my stay; do I need to apply for a visitor visa?

Yes – whether you were granted a visa under visa waiver provisions or arrived with a visa you will need to ensure you remain lawfully in New Zealand. If you wish to stay beyond the duration of the visa you currently have please apply for another visa well before your current visa is due to expire.