Wesgro’s Chief Marketing Officer for Tourism, Judy Lain said that
the lowering of restrictions confirms that Cape Town is a
resilient destination. “This is extremely helpful for our
destination brand for both tourism and investment. It certainly
assists with the message that we are open for business and that
visitors can come and enjoy the amazing experiences that our
destination has to offer,” said Lain. “We, however, encourage all
visitors to South Africa, no matter where they may go, to value
water as a precious commodity and to be mindful that we are in a
water-scarce region.”
Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism said: “The lower water
restrictions are certainly going to work in our favour. We would
love to see those who have deferred visiting because of water
restrictions coming to explore the city. Our main message, as
always, is that the city offers unparalleled attractions and
experiences, and that the holiday of a lifetime can be enjoyed
here.”
However, Martin Wiest, CEO of Tourvest Destination Management,
says in terms of the international market, this will not be
immediately effective due to the long-term purchasing decisions
framework. “Domestic tourism will feel an increase, as this
involves more short-term purchasing decisions, so there will be
some movement.”
According to Duminy, the many initiatives undertaken to reduce
water usage, as well as the ones that are still under way, have
radically altered people’s relationship with the resource. “The
efforts have been noted by an international audience, resulting in
several conferences being organised in the city on the topic of
sustainability,” he said. “The Secretary General of the UNWTO
singled us out for our efforts in reducing water usage â€` how we
learned to collaborate during a crisis has become a best-practice
case study.”
There have been multiple campaigns and communication efforts
which, collectively, have ensured that the messaging is brought
across to visitors and that water usage is reduced accordingly.
“Water-wise tourism is what we all need to practise in South
Africa,” added Duminy.
Suzanne Benadie, Sales Director at Tourvest DMC, says the company
has done a lot to ensure the right information is communicated to
their clients on the various projects undertaken by both the
private and public sector during the year.
Wiest believes that the current Wesgro PR campaign does aid in
communicating the change of Cape Town’s water status, which, in
turn, will improve the volumes to the

region. “Globally, this is
not a short-term impact. The international traveller has become
more aware and water-wise over the years â€` travellers have been
aware of this behaviour, as green and sustainable tourism has been
around for a while.”
Wesgro’s #NowhereBetter campaign was developed with the industry
to re-ignite interest in the destination and put Cape Town and the
Western Cape back on the consideration list, reminding tourists
about the breadth and depth of experiences on offer in the
province, explained Lain, who said that the campaign had only been
running for a week and had already seen a good level of
engagement. The campaign, geared towards changing perceptions
tourists may have about the destination, is scheduled to run for
one year.
“Tourvest DMC has supported the campaign and its drive to
communicate to our audiences on various platforms, that Cape Town
is indeed open for business. This can only have a positive impact
for other areas of Southern Africa, as Cape Town often forms an
integral part of many itineraries to the region,” added Benadie.
Preceding #NowhereBetter, Wesgro’s Destination Marketing Unit
launched the #ItsAllStillHere campaign, featuring local surfing
talent Franky Solomon, Mikey February and Jordy Smith. Using their
networks, sponsors and influence to get the message out, the
campaign profiles the Cape’s top surfing talent, natural beauty,
and world-class surf conditions. “It acknowledges that our region
has suffered its worst drought in history, but shows how we`ve got
through the crisis and that our extraordinary destination is ‘all
still here’,” added Lain.
According to Benadie, in Tourvest DMC’s last-minute markets there
is opportunity for more bookings to be confirmed over the December
peak season. “I am confident that the collective efforts to
promote the positive messaging will also have a longer-term impact
beyond December, and that we will see more bookings for the first
quarter of 2019.”
“Cape Town remains a highlight on the global travel schedule,”
concluded Duminy.
The city views 2019 as a recovery year after having successfully
emerged from the unprecedented drought, and the decision comes
after a meeting between the National Department of Water and
Sanitation and the water users of the Western Cape Water Supply
System. V.2663

One of the highlighted topics: Critical Skills Visa.

- Key Insight: Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast track to working in South Afr...
- This matter relates to critical skills visa and its broader implications.
- Individuals are advised to seek professional guidance.

Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast trac V.6139
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One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, became a victim of identity theft in 2012 when fraudulent transactions occurred, using her personal details.

-The Pretoria High Court found that the department of home affairs had violated constitutional rights without due process.
-Only half of Lawyers for Human Rights` test group has been unblocked, while 385 000 identities remain blocked nationwide.
-LHR appeals extension, urges affected people to seek help now.

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) are intensifying pressure on the department of home affairs over the national ID-blocking crisis, accusing the state of acting too slowly to unblock qualifying individuals despite a landmark court ruling.

In January last year, the Pretoria High Court found that the department`s practice of blocking IDs without due process was unlawful and unconstitutional. One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, a Swati citizen and South African permanent resident since 1998, fell victim to identity theft in 2012 when fraudsters used her personal details.

 V.6133
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6128
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6129
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A Washington state mother and her 6-year-old son have been released after spending more than three weeks in US immigration detention due to a brief trip to Canada and a small paperwork mistake, her attorney told CNN on Saturday.

Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen who has lived legally in the US since she arrived in 2021, was detained at the Blaine, Washington, Customs and Border Protection checkpoint when returning home after dropping her two oldest children off at the Vancouver airport for a flight to visit their grandparents in New Zealand. Shaw, 33, chose the flight out of Vancouver because it was direct and she didn`t want her children to have to navigate a layover alone, her attorney Minda Thorward, told CNN.

 V.6130
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On 22 July 2025, the Gauteng High Court dismissed Sitrusrand Boerdery`s review of the Department of Employment and Labour`s refusal to issue a Working Conditions and Salary Benchmarking Certificate, an essential precondition for obtaining corporate visas under the Immigration Act.

Acting Judge Kekana AJ held that the Department`s decision was lawful, rational and procedurally fair. This judgment illustrates how businesses can - and must - structure their corporate visa applications to meet statutory requirements, and how legal practitioners should prepare robust review challenges when administrative authorities decline to recommend foreign-work permits.

 V.6131
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The United States could forfeit an estimated 9.4 billion dollars in visitor spending over the next three years following the introduction of a new 250 dollars `visa integrity fee,` according to industry groups, who warn the policy risks undermining tourism and costing thousands of jobs.
The United States’ decision to introduce a 250 dollars `visa integrity fee` on international visitors has triggered sharp criticism from the global tourism industry, with officials warning that the measure could deter millions of travellers and cost the U.S. economy billions.
The 250dollar `visa integrity fee,` part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025, will take effect later this year. According to immigration law firm Envoy Global, it applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders which include students, tourists, temporary workers, and business visitors particularly from African countries. V.6132
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6127
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1. Right to Legal Representation•You have the right to consult with a legal representative.•Contact an immigration practitioner, legal aid clinic, or attorney urgently.•Do not sign any documents without understanding them fully. 2. Section 34 of the Immigration Act•You must be brought to court with 48 hours to confirm arrest but you can remain locked up very long as courts figure out what to do with you •If you`re found to be illegally in South Africa, you may be detained for up to 30 days (extendable by a magistrate) pending deportation.•BUT this cannot happen arbitrarily. You must be informed of your rights, and Home Affairs must follow due process.- becomes a nightmare , you could lose your job , business , place to stay V.6121
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Driving for Bolt, Uber, Mr D, or Checkers Sixty60?If you`re undocumented, you`re risking more than just your income.The Risks if You`re Not Legal: - Vehicle impoundment - Heavy fines - Arrest & deportation - Permanent bans from working in SA V.6122
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