There’s an isiZulu idiom that posits, ‘Isisu somhambi singangenso yenyoni.’ Directly translated, it suggests that a visitor’s belly (satiation capacity) is as small as the size of a bird’s kidney. But, this translation belies the profound and instructive meaning.
The true and deeper meaning speaks to the unstoppable spirit of hospitality, generosity and sharing of what little you have. A spirit so innate to African life that extending these courtesies even to a total stranger who just so happens to visit one’s home is considered no burden at all.
In the traditional, rustic village life of old, it was not uncommon for a weary traveler far from home, battered by the day’s travels, troubles and toils to at dusk approach any home on his or her path in this spirit, and be welcomed in that unique ubuntu-inspired hospitality.
Despite the vastly changed social setting in our country, that spirit of ubuntu has never left us as a people. The genuineness of the smiles we give visitors when they come to our shores, going out of our way to assist them where they need directions or recommendations for the best braai spot, the soul and passion we pour into our conversations and the laughter and dance when we entertain are some of the traits that consistently rank highly when tourists from various parts of the world are asked about their experiences in our beautiful country.
To think that we, as Africans in the southern tip of our continent, are an anomaly in this regard would be complete folly. And, I suspect no one knows this better than Boipelo Tladinyane Hlubi, who bears the truly unique honour of having visited 54 of the continent’s 55 countries in an epic backpacking adventure.
See, Boipelo told delegates at the recently concluded Africa’s Travel Indaba about the incredible hospitality of the people she encountered and that hit home powerfully once again. She told of the intrigued-yet-warm African smiles with which she was received into and sheltered overnight in people’s homes, allowed to sleep on a rooftop and at the beach, among many overnight stays.
I also imagine the journey her palate must have also taken, from pap and nyama in the south to sadza ne nyama in Zimbabwe, nshima and kapenta in Zambia, to ugali na nyama choma in Kenya, to yam and egusi in Nigeria, and fufu and njama njama in Cameroon. Notice how many of the above-mentioned dishes refer to meat in some iteration of the word nyama? It and several others are the emphatic etymological proclamation - we are one!
Boipelo

no doubt returned with tons of stories from her travels, as her book, A Safari Back to Self, attests. But equally, she undoubtedly imparted her “South African-ness” to those she encountered, as much as those countries all deposited something into the person she is today.
This is what my Ghanaian counterpart Koffi Atta Kakra Kusi had in mind when he told us at Africa’s Travel Indaba that the story of Africa can be told through our heritage, natural resources, culture and traditions, as well as our values and customs as a people.
So, allow me to lay down a challenge for you, my fellow South Africans. This is a challenge that is perhaps aptly captured by the colloquialism: ‘Let’s keep it real’. Let us be true to who we are, as a people. Let us be true to the values of our unimpeachable humanity that has over generations enamoured us with people the world over. Let us not grow weary of extending the kind of ‘give you the shirt off my back’, exuberant hospitality and generosity.
After all, the economic benefits of doing so commend themselves. In the first three months of this year, for example, there were 1 047 558 international tourist arrivals into our country, representing a much-needed 170.7% increase when compared to the same period last year. Of those, a landslide 778 313 were tourists from other countries in our continent, rendering Europe, our second-biggest source market, with a contribution of 192 494 tourists, minuscule by comparison. Importantly, these visitors spent millions of rands staying in our lodges, hotels and B&Bs, eating out at restaurants, hiring vehicles and shuttles, and shopping in our malls and flea markets.
But, beyond the rands and cents sense of it all, our disposition is and should always be of arms wide open and ready to welcome. This is especially true in the year that marks exactly 20 years since the ideal of an African Renaissance was born, with the launch of the African Union in our ever-warm city of Durban.
I can think of no better way to take individual ownership of and give full meaning and content to our former president Thabo Mbeki’s timeless words: “Being part of all these people and in the knowledge that none dare contest that assertion, I shall claim that I am an African” than to be as exuberant as ever in our hospitality.
www.samigration.com V.4378

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.

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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.

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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.

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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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