Young South Africans must explore the world with correct travel documents

Source: News 24, 24/12/2018

In 2019, more than 100 young South Africans travelled to China on
student visas with the hope that when they arrive, they will get
work visas and work in different schools and colleges to teach
English and other subjects. However, as they later found out, the
work visas never materialised and they ended up in police custody.
The stories from those returning from detention in China are
varied from how they were treated to how they were detained, but
there is a common thread through most of the stories: they were
recruited in South Africa by fellow South Africans working with
Chinese agents who promised them opportunities. They were
convinced that they can travel with study visas and the work visa
will be sorted when they arrive in China. It sounded that simple.
As we now know, many of them, if not all who travelled on student
visas never received work visas on arrival in China. The agents
dissapeared and the schools did not assist much to secure them. In
cases where visas were issued, some of the schools also violated
the visa regulations by moving teachers to different schools
across China, which resulted in a number of South Africans
arrested in various provinces of China.
When the first group was arrested in May 2018, International
Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu called on young
South Africans to ensure that they have correct documents and when
in doubt, to verify with the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria.
“I call on parents, guardians and young people themselves who seek
to travel to explore opportunities across the world to make sure
they have all the necessary travel documents and that the
documents are valid before they travel. Young people must
research. They must the curious enough to seek to know all details
before they travel” Sisulu said at the time.
The Minister added that South Africa has seen a rise in the number
of young people, teachers, engineers, nurses and professionals
being recruited across the world. “Due to our growing good
bilateral relations with various countries, we are seeing many
South African professionals leaving for better opportunities
abroad, and we are very proud of that. We urge them to make sure
that they have correct documents. Many countries require a work
visa, and this can easily be obtained in all foreign embassies in
South Africa,” Sisulu said.
The Minister stressed that South Africans must not be shy to seek
work experience in Africa and across the world. They must venture
and explore. “The implementation of the Continental Free Trade
Area Agreement (CFTA) and the growing trade within BRICS, and with
Asia and the Gulf region, Europe and the Americas, will definitely
open opportunities for skilled young South African professionals.
They must seize these opportunities on the Continent and
globally,” she added.
Earlier this year, the Department of International Relations and
Cooperation (Dirco) launched the Travel Smart Campaign to remind
and also sensitise South Africans to have all the necessary
documents, information and requirements of traveling before they
depart.
“With the Travel Smart Campaign, we want South Africans to be
alert, and to know the rules, laws and cultures of countries they
seek to visit,” Sisulu emphasised.
The key elements of the Campaign include reminding travellers to
have travel and medical insurance and to verify their documents
before they travel. South Africa has 125 missions across the world
and all have recorded growing numbers of South Africans who are
traveling for business, leisure and official duties. The numbers
show that South Africans are exploring the world.
The Minister has directed South Africa`s diplomats in China to
continue to engage with the Chinese authorities to ensure that all
young South Africans detained on visa violations are released as
soon as possible and hope that no additional South Africans will
fall for the same scam again.