Statement by Adrian Roos MP – DA Spokesperson on Home Affairs:
The DA welcomes the launch by Home Affairs of the Meetings, Exhibitions, Events and Tourism Scheme (MEETS) visa platform, aimed at streamlining visa processing for international events hosted in South Africa.
The purpose of MEETS is to boost tourism and enhance South Africa’s attractiveness as a destination for global events by reducing administrative hurdles that have long delayed or discouraged participation.
The platform is designed for international travellers attending events, ensuring faster and more coordinated visa processing for high-volume, time-sensitive applications.
A key feature of the system is that domestic event organisers must first be accredited to access the platform, ensuring that only vetted organisers can submit group visa applications and safeguarding the integrity of the system.
MEETS forms part of Home Affairs’ broader digitalisation drive to modernise visa processes, improve security, and eliminate inefficiencies in the system.
The DA supports reforms that grow the economy, create jobs, attract international visitors, and position South Africa as a competitive and accessible destination on the global stage.
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Fun South African Fact: South Africa is known as the “Rainbow Nation” thanks to its mix of cultures across the country. The status of being a cultural “melting pot” is evident in the fact that South Africa has a whopping 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, IsiNdebele, Sesotho, Northern Sotho, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga. Most South Africans speak more than one national language. IsiZulu is the most common first language and isiXhosa is second. Fun fact – did you know the people of Wakanda speak isiXhosa in Marvel’s Black Panther movie?
Houston Rocket
Shebeen – an unlicensed bar [sha-been] These are unlicensed bars usually found in low-income suburbs located outside of the major towns and cities, more commonly known as ‘the townships’.