THE DEPARTMENTS of Tourism
and Home Affairs were “close
to an agreement” on the
requirements for minors travelling
into and out of South Africa, said
Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom.
But while the travel industry
is hopeful, there is concern
that the discussion may centre
on international travel and that
requirements for South African
children are not included in the
talks.
The requirement for children
under the age of 18 to travel with
an unabridged birth certificate was
implemented in 2015, exasperating
those in the travel industry, who
warned that the regulations would
hinder travel. At the time, the
Department of Home Affairs said
the regulations were to deter child
trafficking.
According to Hanekom, an
announcement on the rules could
be made “within weeks”, while
Home Affairs Minister, Malusi
Gigaba, has said that he is looking
at international best practice.
“It is very encouraging that the
discussions are taking place and
that consideration is being given
to global best practice to guide the
decision going forward,” said Asata
ceo, Otto de Vries. “However, I am
concerned that there hasn’t been
any specific commentary regarding
the impact that it has had and will
continue to have on South African
travellers wishing to travel abroad.”
Satsa ceo, David Frost, said he
was incredibly optimistic. He said
the tourism industry had looked into
the issue, delving particularly into
international best practice. “What
became apparent is that we needed
to find an equitable solution.
Elsewhere in the world, people are
vigilant, but they do not apply the
heavy-handed approach of making
airline check-in staff be your frontline
immigration officers.”
He said internationally there was
a more sophisticated, nuanced and
targeted approach to preventing
child trafficking that included more
specific policing and traveller
profiling.
