South Africa’s Deputy Minister Thandi Moraka Welcomes Pan-African Parliament, Announces Forthcoming Visa-Free Entry for Africans

Delivering the host-country’s welcome at the opening of the Fifth Statutory Sitting of the Sixth Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on Monday, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Hon. Thandi Moraka struck an upbeat, integration-first tone.

A rallying call for continental unity and reparatory justice

Moraka framed her address around this year’s African Union (AU) theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” urging delegates to translate the slogan into collective action and “restorative healing.”

She applauded PAP President Chief Fortune Charumbira for forging closer ties with Sixth-Region (diaspora) diplomats and other AU organs, saying the growing collaboration “will ensure the unity we need to advance the aspirations of the African continent and the African diaspora.”

Landmark visa-waiver pledge takes centre stage

In the headline announcement of the morning, the Deputy Minister confirmed that South Africa will waive visa requirements for all African delegates and travellers by 1 October 2025.

“Facilitating visa-free or simplified travel is crucial to fostering stronger links among our nations,” she said, adding that easier mobility would boost intra-African trade, tourism and diplomacy.

The move aligns with the AU’s Free Movement Protocol and responds to long-standing calls from businesses and civil-society groups for fewer borders on the continent.

Reinforcing PAP and South Africa’s host responsibilities

Moraka acknowledged Pretoria’s fiscal constraints but reaffirmed its commitment to keep PAP “a beacon of democratic participation, dialogue and collective decision-making,” revealing that a review of the PAP Host-Country Agreement is already at an advanced stage.

Leveraging the 2025 G20 Presidency for African priorities

With South Africa set to chair the G20 next year, she invited PAP to “work alongside us” to ensure Africa’s interests dominate the global economic agenda—on debt, climate, sustainable development and trade.

 Moraka argued that Parliamentarians can help drive continental economic transformation by supporting SMEs and maximising the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Spotlight on the diaspora

Concluding, the Deputy Minister announced that DIRCO will co-host a “Diaspora Week” later this year with Sixth-Region and AU member-state missions, an event designed to deliver “concrete outcomes” on reparatory justice.

Key Take‑Aways from Moraka’s Address

1. Free movement commitment: The visa-waiver timeline gives tangible momentum to decades-old AU mobility goals.
2. Institutional support: By fast-tracking the Host-Country Agreement review and pledging ongoing logistical backing, South Africa shores up PAP’s operational stability.
3. Global platforms: Linking PAP to the forthcoming G20 chairmanship elevates Parliament’s voice on debt reform, fair trade and climate finance.
4. People-centred reparations: Moraka’s emphasis on reparations, diaspora inclusion and grassroots unity aligns the legislative agenda with citizens’ expectations.

With the Fifth Session now underway, delegates will watch closely to see whether the promised visa liberalization—and the broader agenda of justice, trade and integration—moves from podium pledges to on-the-ground reality before the next PAP sitting at year-end.