Understanding South Africa's new R500 visa fee

The Department of Home Affairs has proposed a R500 electronic processing fee for travellers using South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system.

The proposal is contained in a draft notice published in Government Gazette No. 55072 last month.

The ETA, introduced in October 2025, allows travellers to apply for travel authorisation and visas online as part of Home Affairs’ digital transformation programme.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the ETA had been operating as a fully subsidised service because the platform initially lacked an integrated online payment facility.

Full story at IOL

By Mthobisi Nozulela

See Nigeria like never before with Traveltomtom

Popular travel content creator Traveltomtom has been sharing an eye-opening journey across Nigeria, highlighting vibrant cities, smooth airport arrivals, and stunning natural wonders like the Agbokim Waterfalls in Cross River State and Zuma Rock in Abuja.

His viral logs challenge common negative media stereotypes, showcasing Nigeria as a welcoming and beautiful destination.

Key Highlights of the Tour:

Lagos Arrival: Arrived smoothly at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, praising local friendliness.

Lufasi Nature Park: Explored the peaceful urban forest and animal sanctuary in Lagos State.

Abuja & Zuma Rock: Visited the iconic monolith and stayed at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Agbokim Waterfalls: Traveled to the lush, multi-stream cascades near the Cameroonian border in Cross River State.

Suleja Dam: Explored the scenic countryside waters just outside Abuja.

You can also experience Nigeria through his website booking guidelines at https://www.traveltomtom.net/

By Olagunju, Success Taiwo.

UNFPA Appoints Botlhale Boikanyo as Regional ICPD Youth Champion for East and Southern Africa

Johannesburg, August 2026 – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) East and Southern Africa Regional Office is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Botlhale Boikanyo as its new Regional International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Youth Champion.

 

Botlhale Boikanyo is an award-winning South African poet, actress, speaker, and youth advocate whose journey from becoming the first poet and youngest winner of South Africa's Got Talent at the age of 11 has evolved into a powerful platform for youth empowerment and social change. As the founder of the Botlhale Boikanyo Foundation, she has dedicated her work to amplifying young voices, championing education and self-expression, and inspiring a new generation of African changemakers through the power of storytelling. Through her advocacy and leadership, she has inspired young people to use their voices and engage in shaping policies and solutions that affect their lives and futures.

 

As Regional ICPD Youth Champion, Botlhale will work alongside UNFPA to amplify the voices of young people across East and Southern Africa and advocate for accelerated action towards achieving the commitments of the ICPD Programme of Action. She will support efforts to advance bodily autonomy, gender equality, access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, and meaningful youth participation in decision-making processes.

 

For UNFPA,  young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today. Putting young people at front and centre of sustainable development is both urgent and non-negotiable. Their voices, experiences, and innovations are essential in building the Africa we want.

 

Speaking on her appointment, Botlhale Boikanyo said:

 

“My hope and dream is to live in a world where every young person, especially women and girls, has the freedom and opportunities to shape their own future and is included in the rooms where decisions about their lives are made. Being a UNFPA Champion is another step towards turning that vision into reality. It is an opportunity to amplify the voices of young people through storytelling across our region, and advocate for investments that uphold the rights, dignity, well-being and potential of every young person everywhere.”

 

The appointment comes at a critical moment for the region, where young people in Africa constitute a significant share of the global youth population of 1.9 billion and are leading transformative efforts in their communities. Yet many continue to face barriers to education, healthcare, employment, and opportunities to meaningfully participate in decisions that affect their lives. She believes that storytelling is a catalyst for social change and that young people must not only be heard, but meaningfully included in shaping the decisions that affect their lives and futures.

 

As Regional ICPD Youth Champion, Botlhale will use her energetic presence and platform to engage with young people, policymakers, civil society, and development partners to advocate for investments and policies that uphold the rights, dignity, and potential of every young person.

Fourways & Environ: Gina Hair Braiding at your service

Ladies and gentle men, Gina Hair Braiding, is currently service the best:

Gina Hair Braiding is an African hair braiding specialist salon located at 6 Forest Drive, Fourways, Sandton, South Africa. You can reach them by phone at +27 73 636 4463. 

Salon Details & Contact

Address: 6 Forest Drive, The Pearls of Fourways, Sandton, 2001, South Africa
Phone Number: +27 73 636 4463
Website / Social Media: Visit the Hair By Gina Facebook Page for updates.

Canada Issue Latest Travel Advice To Citizens Travelling to Nigeria

Canada has made it clear through its social media post on the 14th July 2026 about travel advice to Nigeria for citizens wanting to visit Nigeria.

It is now requested for all Canadians to complete an online health declaration form; according to this Facebook Post:

Before you travel to #Nigeria, you must complete an online health declaration form. You will then receive a PDF and QR code by email, which you must show upon arrival. https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/nigeria#entryexit

By Olagunju, Success Taiwo