Tiwa Savage, AY, Others Celebrate South African Tourism

The South African Tourism Department recently rallied several Nigerian entertainment practitioners and other stakeholders to discuss fresh options for the industry.

The programme, tagged SAT Soiree, was attended by the Consul-General of the South African High Commission, Mr. Darkey Africa; South African Ambassador to Ghana, Ambassador Lulama Xingwana; and the South African Tourism CEO, Sisa Ntshona.

Celebrated singer, Tiwa Savage, joined other stars, including Ayo Makun, O.C. Ukeje and some top broadcasters, at the event.

The essence of the event was to discuss challenges facing tourism on the continent. The participants, who gathered at the Miliki Lounge in Victoria Island, also had the opportunity to network and watch a documentary of the Nigerian entertainers adventure to the Mandela country.

Questions came up on the need for a uniform and relaxed visa regime for Africa, as well as the ordeal that foreigners, especially Nigerians, usually face in the hands of South Africans. All the principal officers from Johannesburg, however, gave an assurance that the South African Government was doing a lot to promote unity and liberate tourism beyond its borders.

The consular-general said that South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, was present at the African Union meeting where the issue of the Africa Passport was discussed. She however pointed out that there was no instruction given on the matter yet.

On her part, the ambassador said that the Xenophobia issue was a thing of the past. She noted that the isolated crisis was not a reflection of the general South African public’s attitude towards West Africans and others.

Also at the programme anchored by Inside Africa Publisher, Oluwaseyi Adeyemo, were the Regional Manager, North, West & Central Africa at South African Airways, Mr Ohis Ehimiaghe; Regional Director, Africa, South African Tourism, Ms. Evelyn Mahlaba,   ATQ Publisher, Mr. Ikechi Uko; TOPCOMM Chief Executive Officer, Ogbeni Temitope Ogbeni-Awe and NANTA President, Bernard Bankole. punch