South Africa Is Safe, No Xenophobia — SA Envoy Bobby Moroe Urges Nigerians to Visit

Diplomat Addresses Nigerians’ Fears Over Safety, Attacks and Life in South Africa                                                                                

    

For many Nigerians, the decision to travel to South Africa is about more than tourism.

It can mean visiting family, attending a business meeting, studying, shopping, seeking medical care or simply taking a holiday. But for some travellers, concerns about violence against foreigners have made the decision increasingly difficult.

South Africa’s Consul-General in Lagos, Professor Bobby Moroe, is now trying to ease those fears.

Moroe has urged Nigerians to continue visiting South Africa, insisting that the country is safe and rejecting the idea that South Africans as a whole are hostile towards Nigerians.

His comments come amid renewed conversations about the safety of Nigerians and other African nationals living and travelling in South Africa.

‘You Can Still Visit South Africa’

Moroe's message is aimed directly at Nigerians who may have become hesitant about travelling to the country.

He argued that incidents involving violence or crime should not be used to paint an entire country or its people with the same brush.

For a Nigerian planning a trip to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban or another South African city, however, the reassurance is likely to be judged by personal experiences and the safety information available before travelling.

That is why the envoy's acknowledgement of Nigerians' concerns is significant.

He has recognised that people have genuine reasons to ask questions about their safety, even while disputing the broader description of South Africa as a xenophobic country.

Why Some Nigerians Are Worried

South Africa has experienced several outbreaks of violence involving foreign nationals over the years.

News reports and videos of attacks, business closures and confrontations involving migrants have sometimes spread rapidly across social media, creating fear among Nigerians who live in or plan to visit the country.

For families, the concern can be especially personal.

A parent sending a child to study in South Africa may worry about their safety. A business owner may wonder whether their shop will be protected. A first-time visitor may simply want to know whether they can move around without becoming a target.

These concerns cannot easily be separated from the memories of previous incidents.

Moroe Says Crime Should Not Define South Africa

The South African envoy has argued that violence and criminality should be viewed within the wider context of social and economic challenges facing the country.

Unemployment, poverty and inequality have contributed to tensions in some communities, he suggested, and not every incident involving a foreign national should automatically be classified as xenophobia.

His argument is that South Africa should not be viewed through the lens of its worst incidents.

At the same time, acknowledging the fears of Nigerians is important because perceptions of safety can have a real impact on tourism, business and relations between ordinary people.

Nigerians and South Africans Have Deep Connections

The relationship between Nigerians and South Africans goes far beyond government meetings.

People from both countries work together, run businesses, attend universities, form friendships and build families.

Nigerian entrepreneurs have established businesses in South Africa, while South African companies have significant commercial interests in Nigeria.

There are also strong cultural connections between the two countries through music, entertainment, sport and popular culture.

For many people, therefore, tension between Nigerians and South Africans is not an abstract diplomatic issue. It affects friends, colleagues, neighbours and relatives.

Safety Remains the Most Important Question

Moroe's reassurance may encourage some Nigerians to reconsider travelling to South Africa, but ordinary people will ultimately want more than assurances.

They want to know that police will respond when crimes occur, that businesses will be protected and that foreigners can report abuse without fear.

They also want reliable information about which areas are safe and what precautions travellers should take.

For tourists, safety advice, emergency contacts and awareness of local conditions remain important regardless of nationality.

A Message to Nigerian Travellers

Moroe's appeal is essentially a message not to allow fear to completely overshadow the relationship between the two countries.

South Africa remains an important destination for Nigerians, whether for tourism, education, business or family visits.

But the concerns that have prompted the debate should also be taken seriously.

A safe travel experience depends not only on the reputation of a country but also on effective law enforcement, responsible communities and the protection of everyone living within its borders.

What This Means for Nigerians

For Nigerians considering a trip to South Africa, Moroe's comments offer reassurance but do not mean travellers should ignore normal safety precautions.

Visitors should remain aware of their surroundings, follow local security advice and seek reliable information about their destination before travelling.

For Nigerians already living in South Africa, the bigger issue is whether official assurances translate into everyday protection and equal treatment.

The Human Side of Nigeria-South Africa Relations

Ultimately, the debate is about people.

It is about the Nigerian student who wants to complete a degree without fear, the entrepreneur trying to build a business, the family visiting relatives and the tourist hoping to enjoy a holiday.

It is also about South Africans who want to live peacefully alongside people from other African countries.

Moroe's invitation for Nigerians to continue visiting South Africa therefore carries a wider message: the relationship between the two countries should be built around people-to-people trust, safety and mutual respect.

Whether that confidence grows will depend not only on what officials say, but on what Nigerians experience when they arrive, work and live in South Africa.