South Africa has begun working on the technical arrangements needed to resume visa issuance to Rwandans holding ordinary passports, more than a decade after restrictions were introduced, according to Tinyiko George Hlungwane, the country’s new High Commissioner to Rwanda.
This is part of efforts to normalise relations between the two countries following a meeting between Olivier Nduhungirehe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, in Pretoria on June 17.
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The ministers agreed to resume visa issuance to Rwandans holding ordinary passports within 12 months and revive the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC), which is expected to meet in Kigali in 2027.
"The decision to lift the ban has been taken. So, what is technical now is working on the system,” Hlungwane said during The New Times’ podcast, The Context.
South Africa’s visa restrictions on ordinary Rwandan passport holders date back to 2014, affecting travellers including students and businesspeople.
Hlungwane said the technical arrangements were being worked out alongside South Africa’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which is being tested in selected countries.
The system is intended to allow travellers to complete visa-related procedures electronically, reducing the need to visit consular offices.
"The system seems to be working so far as they are testing it, they're dealing with all the glitches that come up from time to time,” Hlungwane said.
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He said the government hoped the system would be ready within the agreed 12-month period. If it continued to experience problems, an alternative arrangement would allow Rwandans to apply for visas within the same timeframe.
"Once the system gets to the point where we realize that there are no issues, it's working fine, they will make an announcement. Might be December, it might be in June.”
Joint commission to include businesses
Preparations for the JCC have already started, with government departments expected to identify areas for cooperation ahead of the meeting, Hlungwane said.
The commission will also involve business representatives. Hlungwane said the South African High Commission was already engaging businesspeople who could participate in the meeting.
"The two ministers, once they agree on the dates, we will know that we're working towards that particular date,” he added.
The commission is also expected to provide a forum for the two countries to discuss issues affecting their relations, including legal and security concerns.
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Hlungwane said the two countries’ justice departments could use the commission to discuss legal matters and work towards agreements or other arrangements to address them. Security agencies are also expected to take part.
Broader cooperation
According to Hlungwane, efforts to improve relations reflect a broader recognition that African countries need to work more closely together.
"We have woken up to realize that African countries need each other today more than they have ever needed each other in the past because working together, building Africa it's a very important function.”
South Africa and Rwanda also share an interest in strengthening African institutions, including the African Union and regional bodies, as well as increasing trade and investment under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He added that South Africa’s decision to deploy a new high commissioner was itself a sign of its commitment to improving relations, following a prolonged period of strained ties and the departure of the previous ambassador Mandisi Bongani Mpahlwa in 2024.