Cape Town calls for visa reform, port efficiency and manufacturing support

In his statement, Alderman Vos commented on the dire state of South Africa’s visa system, noting a concerning backlog of nearly 119 000 residency applications.

He said:

‘When the president opened Parliament and delivered his SONA on 10 February 2022, he said that the Department of Home Affairs was “streamlining and modernising the visa application process to make it easier to travel to South Africa for tourism, business and work.” Two years later, it is clear that the very opposite is true, with the department sitting on a mountain of almost 75 000 unprocessed temporary residency visas with an additional backlog of 44 000 permanent residency permits.’

Vos stated that a recent directive, which instructs international visitors who have not received a visa renewal by 23 February 2024, to leave South Africa by the end of the month or risk being barred, threatens to expel international visitors, jeopardising tourism and the overall economy.

According to Vos, industry organisations like CapeBPO and UVU Africa have noted that the visa system’s inefficiency not only hinders sectoral growth but also prevents crucial skills transfer.

Vos called for a streamlined visa process, including the long-awaited remote worker visa, to facilitate economic expansion and job creation.

Alderman Vos said that the operational challenges at the Port of Cape Town represent a significant bottleneck for the national economy, with losses estimated at R98 million daily.

Delays and inefficiencies disrupt the supply chain, affecting everything from food prices to the availability of consumer goods.

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Alderman Vos advocated for the introduction of private-sector partnerships to enhance port operations, a move anticipated to inject R6 billion into the economy and generate thousands of jobs.

‘An improved port would lead to the creation of job opportunities, increasing export volumes and improving our standing in the global market. More specifically, if the necessary upgrades and maintenance are conducted, we can see an economic injection of R6 billion and 20 000 new jobs,’ he said.

The third area in which Alderman Vos has called for urgent government action is further duty reductions on imported materials for clothing production, which is viewed as a strategic measure to boost the local manufacturing sector.

He said that, following the success of the 2021 duty cut, expanding these reductions could enhance the global competitiveness of South African products, fostering industry growth and job creation.

‘For the nation to thrive, President Ramaphosa must address these pressing issues, unlocking the true potential of South Africa and providing tangible relief for millions grappling with unemployment and rising living costs,’ Vos concluded.

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