South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo has
disclosed that his country earns over N12.3 billion annually from Nigerians, who visit
the country on leisure, tourism or business.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Ambassador Mamabolo, revealed that a
recent statistics shows that in January 2011 alone, about 4,220 Nigerians visited
South Africa, compared to about 3,491, who visited the country for the same purpose
in January last year.

“Nigeria remains the leading African market in terms of tourist arrivals in South Africa.
Based on our research, Nigeria is identified as the hub of West Africa and a great
base for South Africa tourism to centralize tourism functions and activities within the
region. This of course is based on the country’s standing as the powerhouse of West
Africa and it’s growing economy, large population, increased use of technology and
political stability”, he said.

Ambassador Mamabolo revealed that as a result of this growth, South Africa Tourism
has concluded plans to open an office in the country, beginning with a skeletal staff
this year and full fledged operations within the next couple of years, while a new
South Africa Chancery and residential building have already been built in Abuja.
He maintained that South Africa has laws that guarantee safety and security for
residents as well as tourists visiting the country, noting that xenophobia, or violence
against visitors is a common problem in every parts of the world.

And yet those life froms keep equating all Nigerians to the criminals living in their midst?