SA to review divisive visa rules

Pretoria - South African President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday ministers would review new visa rules that have hit tourism and stoked tensions within the ruling party.
Last year South Africa implemented regulations requiring visitors to provide biometric data when applying for visas, a problem for people in large countries like China, which only has South African consulates in Beijing and Shanghai.
Further rules implemented in June require parents to carry unabridged birth certificates for their children when travelling to South Africa, a move heavily criticised by the tourism industry and foreign governments.
"We have noted with concern the complaints about the new visa regulations," Zuma told reporters in Pretoria, where he was providing a mid-year review on the economy.
"The ministerial committee will address the unintended consequences of the new immigration regulations on various sectors, including tourism and investment."
The new birth certificate rules have fuelled a rare public spat within Zuma's African National Congress (ANC) party.
Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom said last month the rules had to be changed after visitor numbers dropped, prompting a backlash from Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba who argued they were needed to stem child trafficking.
ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe last week reprimanded both ministers for publicly bickering.
The visa row is the latest headache for Zuma, who is under pressure over sluggish economic growth and high unemployment.
Zuma said the most pressing task for Africa's most developed economy was to ease chronic electricity shortages, which were cutting 1 percent off GDP growth.
South Africa's economy grew 1.5 percent last year but Zuma said he hoped this would rise to at least three percent over the next three years if power constraints eased.
South Africa's heavily-indebted state power utility Eskom is struggling to keep the lights on due to insufficient generating capacity, increasing costs for industries like mining and manufacturing and discouraging new investment.
Long-delayed new coal plants are due to be completed in the next 2-3 years and Zuma's government is pursuing a controversial programme to bring 9,600 megawatts of nuclear energy onto the grid by 2030.
Zuma said the nuclear plan was at an "advanced stage" and procurement should be concluded within the current financial year.
Zuma's opponents have questioned the high cost and perceived lack of transparency of the nuclear plan, which could cost 400 billion to 1 trillion rand ($32-$81 billion).

- Reuters

Interesting Facts About SA You Didn't Know Before

Ever wondered why you love SA as much as you do? You know you love the people, the diverse culture, the food and the sport, but those are all emotional reasons...


South Africa has the longest stretching wine route in the world 


South Africa is the largest producer of meat in Africa


Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains in the world


South Africa is the only place in the world where Mercedes Benz manufacture right hand drive cars


South African has the highest commercial bungee jumping bridge in the world at Bloukrans 


South Africa's Table Mountain alone has more flower species than England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland combined


There are more than 1 000 dedicated tobacco producers in South Africa


South Africa has the world's most luxurious train, the Rovos Rail 


Vilakazi Street in Soweto, South Africa is the one street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu


The Palace of the Lost City is the biggest theme resort hotel in the world and the largest building project undertaken in the southern hemisphere


South Africa naturally hosts four of the seven fastest mammals in the world, namely the wildebeest, the African lion, the springbok and the cheetah 

Clothing Bans and Restrictions Travellers Should Be Aware Of

The last thing you need to be doing while travelling the globe is to ignorantly insult the places you visit, either ethically, morally or in some cases illegally by breaking the laws they have in place.

Like, if you prance about leaving nothing to the imagination in the Vatican City, for example, don't complain when one of the Pope's guards throws you out of the City's walls.

Here's what you need to know when you're dressing to impress abroad. 


Saudi Arabia
Cover, cover, coverThis might be the strictest country you'll visit in your life, so cover up everything you can. The country's clothing laws are grounded in religion, and are therefore a very emotional matter too. Even an accidental show of an ankle will land you in trouble if you're a woman, so be respectful if you're a visitor here.

It might be hot in this desert country, but the wrath of the people may be even hotter, so rather cover, cover, cover.


Vatican City
Cover your knees and shoulders
If you don’t comply, you won’t be able to see stunning its museum and Sistine Chapel… and you’ll have no choice but to fall victim to the plenty of hawkers selling severely overpriced scarves outside this holy city.

Regardless of the unforgiving summer weather in Italy, no traveller wants to see the Chapel draped in four scarves – two around each leg, and two around each arm. Wear appropriate clothes.


Thailand
Are you safe in bikinis?
The Thai prime minister made a bit of a blooper when he said beautiful women are unsafe in bikinis in Thailand following the gruesome murder of two Brits on holiday in the country.

His exact words were, 'Can they be safe in bikinis... unless they are not beautiful?' Did he mean that only ugly people should dress skimpy? Or is everyone unsafe?

He's since apologized for his bizarre comment...
Believe it or not, but Thailand has also now specifically banned the taking of an "underboob" selfie. The country aims to avoid the 'obscene' material causing 'public panic', and guilty underboob snappers could face jail time for their offenses.


Qatar
Leggings are illegal
This is no joke, it’s the law. In the “Reflect Your Respect” campaign, launched by the Qatar Islamic Cultural Center, advice and tips for tourists were lisetd on how to dress modestly in preparation for the 2022 Football World Cup it is hosting.

The pamphlets asked visitors to help preserve Qatar's culture and values saying, 'If you are in Qatar, you are one of us. Please dress modestly in public places.' Its specifically stated that, 'Leggings are not pants.'


Ascot Racing Day
Hide them shoulders 
According to the 16-page style guide laid out by Ascot, hats should always be worn, and strapless, halterneck and spaghetti-strap dresses are strictly prohibited, reports Daily Mail.


Dubai
No shoulders and knees 
It’s the same as in the Vatican City, but here you might actually be prosecuted and insulted if you disobey. For your own safety, cover up.

Spain

Save the bikinis for the sea 
The Good Citizen Plan in the country will fine you almost R9 000 (£500) if you wander away from the shores in your itsie bitsie bikini or speedo. Stay on the beach in your bikini to avoid a penalty.