Tourists landing in SA ‘may have to watch video’ on staying safe

Officials have proposed that tourists should be greeted by 'safety videos', when they first step foot inside a South African airport.

Oct 13, 2022 - 18:30
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Tourists landing in SA ‘may have to watch video’ on staying safe

A Select Committee has entertained ‘multiple proposals’ to bolster the safety of travellers in South Africa. Last week, a German tourist was killed in a botched hijacking, along the Numbi Gate route towards Kruger National Park – and the government response has been strong.

‘Safety video’ for arrivals in SA touted

While the ANC is still considering an option to briefly close Numbi Gate, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has been working overtime to reassure visitors that they are safe to visit Mzansi. However, the international community isn’t exactly taking her word for it.

Both the US and Australia have issued travel warnings for tourists heading to South Africa, asking them to avoid Numbi Gate and ‘take additional precautions’. This one act of violence has become a source of global indignity for our leaders, who are now scrambling for solutions.

Proposals to keep tourists safe go public

A number of interventions have been punted, but none are more eye-catching than this. As seen in one of the presentation slides, it has been proposed that a pre-recorded ‘safety video’ – fronted by Minister Sisulu – is played at all airports in SA which welcome international tourists.

Other ideas include national-specific briefings to different embassies, and ‘a designated police force’ for tourists:

A presentation made by a Tourism Select Committee has proposed the introduction of ‘travel safety videos’ at airports across South Africa, on order to brief travellers about security risks – Photo: YouTube / Parliament RSA

Are tourists safe in South Africa?

Although murder rates for tourists remain relatively low in SA, the Numbi Gate incident sets a dangerous precedent. That’s why officials are trying to ensure the safety of all travellers visiting KNP. SANParks acting CEO, Hapiloe Sello, told visitors to use other gates earlier this week.

“This incident has brought a lot of apprehension to many of our loyal local and international visitors which could result in cancellations for planned visits to the park. It is thus important for us to remind visitors that KNP has 10 other gates which tourists can safely enter from.” | Hapiloe Sello