Ministers and deputy ministers of eight Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries have committed themselves to working towards a ”uni-visa” for the region by 2010.
The ministers met on Monday at Johannesburg International Airport to discuss how the region could benefit from the World Cup Soccer tournament that year.
”We need much more free movement of people,” said South African Environment and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk on the notion of a one visa requirement for visitors to the region.
A campaign that encouraged a marriage between the soccer event and the transfrontier conservation areas and national parks would help tourism in the region.
”All the countries [at Monday’s meeting] committed themselves to this unanimously,” said Van Schalkwyk. The countries represented were South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique. Senior officials from Angola were also present.
”Obviously there are some issues we still have to deal with,” said Van Schalkwyk.
”By the end of June tenders by the SADC Secretariat will go out to initiate work on the single visa.
”Last week in Cape Town the security issue was discussed.”
He said that in the next two to three weeks, 30km of fencing in the Great Limpopo Park, running into South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, would be lifted.
He added that a new border post would open between Mozambique and South Africa in the latter part of this year
According to a statement, ”the meeting considered a new strategy, identifying seven specific transfrontier parks and the necessary upgrading and investment to ensure that these facilities offer travellers to the World Cup the opportunity to experience Africa beyond the walls of the soccer stadia.”
Infrastructure needed to be developed, including landing strips, accommodation and the upgrading of fencing.
”Governments will have to make their own contributions and donor money will also be needed,” said Van Schalkwyk.
”Tomorrow there will be a meeting in Gaborone to release European Union money.”
Willem van Riet of the Peace Parks Foundation told a press conference that some â,¬100-million was needed to build and redevelop infrastructure in the seven parks.
Van Schalkwyk said an investor conference was scheduled for the second half of the year for direct investment into park projects. – Sapa