Before the coronavirus pandemic, foreign tourists were spending more than €27,000 per minute in South Africa to explore its many natural wonders.
But the country's thriving tourism sector suffered greatly from travel restrictions put in place to curb the spread of COVID -19 and its variants.
In 2019, tourism contributed about 7% to South Africa's GDP, but that figure fell to 3.7% in 2020. Foreign arrivals decreased by 71%, from more than 15.8 million in 2019 to less than 5 million in 2020.
In late March, the South African government decided to ease some restrictions related to the coronavirus, announcing that the country will remain at Alert Level 1, the lowest of a five-tier system.
This means that some restrictions will remain in place to improve the health situation in the country, but they'll not be as strict as before, especially given the ongoing rollout of vaccines.
Over 30% of the population is fully vaccinated, and the number is increasing. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has introduced certain measures to promote vaccination.
For example, travelers entering South Africa must present a vaccination or a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to travel. Unvaccinated travelers entering the country will also be offered vaccination.
“We are returning, as far as possible, to the lives that we lived before the pandemic," Ramaphosa said in a national address last month, according to The Africa Report.
“It [the pandemic] has shattered many livelihoods and devastated our economy, leading to the closure of many businesses and the loss of some two million jobs," he added.
Global market research firm Fitch Solutions predicts that easing restrictions and the continued introduction of vaccines will boost economic growth in South Africa in 2022.
The government is also taking other measures to attract more international visitors to the country.
Digital nomad visa
Recently, it was announced that South Africa will amend its visa regulations to make the country more accessible, especially for slow-traveling professionals known as digital nomads.
The proposed remote work visa, currently under consideration by the government, would allow digital nomads to stay in and work from the country for more than 90 days and up to a year. It can be renewed.
The details of the requirements for this special visa haven't yet been officially announced. However, according to media reports, the minimum monthly salary will be around €2,800.
Applicants must also provide proof of employment showing that their employers or clients are based outside South Africa. Proof of health insurance and rented or booked accommodation is also required.
Once the new visa regime is approved, digital nomads from all countries will be able to submit their application online.
The South African government recently launched an e-visa system that's currently open to 14 countries. This is intended to reduce the processing time for visa applications, which could encourage more people to apply.
When South Africa introduces the remote work visa, it'll be the first African mainland to offer such a visa. So far, only African islands such as Seychelles, Cabo Verde, and Mauritius offer special visas for digital nomads, who typically stay in their chosen destination for about three months.
Skills shortage
According to the South African president, the remote work visa isn't only intended to create a new source of income. It also aims to attract skilled talent to the country.
Digital nomads, many of whom are well-educated and have well-paid technical jobs, could help local communities by sharing their knowledge and experience.
A recent survey from International financial services provider Allianz shows that the shortage of a skilled workforce is the 8th biggest risk facing businesses in South Africa in 2022.
Digital nomads not only can contribute to local communities, but also can be good ambassadors for the country as they share their travel experiences with other digital nomads through various online platforms.
Why South Africa?
South Africa is indeed a destination that digital nomads should seriously consider. The different cultures and languages are worth exploring, and the country offers favorable conditions for location-independent professionals.
Some of the reasons digital nomads should visit South Africa include a large English-speaking population, good Internet in major cities, and a relatively low cost of living.
Numbeo, an online database of user-entered data, estimates the monthly cost for a single person in South Africa at €567.92, excluding rent.
It goes without saying that the country is also a paradise for nature lovers. There aren't many countries where you can kayak with crocodiles, explore hundreds of nature and safari parks, watch turtles, and do a variety of other adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities.
Another plus is that South Africa can serve as a base for working travelers who want to explore other parts of Africa through a large network of busses and flights.
The best places to stay in South Africa
South Africa is a big country and you may be wondering where the best place to settle down for a few months is.
Here are some destinations you should consider.
Cape Town
Cape Town keeps showing up on the list of best destinations for digital nomads. At the time of writing, the city is ranked 7th on Nomad List's list of the most popular places in the world for traveling professionals.
The developing infrastructure, beautiful coastline, rich culture and history, vibrant nightlife, and modern co-working spaces are some of the factors that have made this city so popular among international remote workers.
Pretoria
Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is another top destination for some remote workers. But some digital nomads aren't happy with the Internet situation there.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg, which is emerging as an up-and-coming business center, has invested in meeting and co-working spaces in recent years. The city has also increased its Internet speeds to attract more business people and freelancers. However, digital nomads, especially female travelers, don't rate the city highly due to security concerns.
Security is a challenge
As the expat community grows in South Africa, more security measures are being put in place to reduce safety concerns. However, crime rates are still high, negatively impacting the experience of locals and international visitors.
In the last quarter of 2021, the murder rate increased by 8.9% and the number of kidnappings increased by 13.8%.
“We must deal with another major challenge, a challenge which was well articulated to me by the President of China [Xi Jinping] who told me that many Chinese tourists want to come to South Africa and Africa, but the issue that is holding them back is crime,” says the South African president.
Travel experts say the government needs to do more to ensure South Africa is a safe destination for foreign visitors.
It remains to be seen how successful South Africa will be in harnessing the potential of digital nomads to boost tourism and develop local communities through the exchange of technical knowledge and expertise.
