PRETORIA - South Africa and Kenya will sign four major bilateral agreements aimed at deepening ties and boosting both nations’ tourism sectors.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola announced the deals earlier.
The agreements coincide with Kenyan President William Ruto’s three-day state visit.
Kenya is South Africa’s largest African trading partner outside the Southern African Development Community region.
"We already have about 28 agreements with Kenya, and today, we will sign about 4 that will further enhance the work. With regards to tourism, in 2022, when the President visited Kenya, we signed a visa-free agreement with Kenya for 90 days, which is reciprocal.
"It has improved tourism into South Africa from Kenya by a huge number. It has also increased the tourism from South Africa into Kenya, also by a huge number. So this is a good example of how regional, well-managed and planned regional migration can work," Lamola said.
He refuted claims of xenophobia in the country, saying South Africa was battling a surge of illegal immigration.
"It's clear that the South African public are welcoming, peace-loving people, who want to work with everyone on the continent. The challenge we are dealing with is the irregular and illegal migration, which the South African government is dealing with decisively."
He condemned individuals and private groups taking the law into their own hands.
"The work of ensuring that migration is regular should be left to law enforcement."