Fans desirous of watching the continent�s first World Cup in South Africa in June this year, will not be required to pay any visa fees as is the norm. That largesse however, goes with some requirements.
The South African High Commissioner in Accra, Ms. Ntombizodwa Lallie, told the Times yesterday that World Cup fans would first have to meet a five-point set of criteria to qualify for what she described as a �Special Even Visa.�
Processing for the 90-day visa, which is expected to take five days to complete, starts on April 1 � barely two months away from the world�s biggest football festival.
To qualify for a visa, the fan must possess a valid passport which must not expire by end of the June 11 � July mundial; have a proof of a return air ticket, show enough evidence of taking care of oneself for the period of the event or stay, acquire a ticked voucher from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) or FIFA, as well as having a proof of a hotel/hostel accommodation.
Ms Lallie advised applicants to show up personally at the High Commission and cautioned them about the activities of potential �charlatans (visa contractors) who could take advantage of the situation to swindle unsuspecting victims.�
She dissuaded fans who have the intention of settling in South Africa after the World Cup to disabuse their minds of such plan. �Much as there would be an extremely friendly environment in South Africa, I don�t think the authorities are necessarily going to relax or renege on their responsibilities as far as security is concerned,� she cautioned.
The High Commissioner said that though South Africa is not a police state, the security is very efficient. She recalled that quite a sizeable number of fans who decided to remain after the 2009 Cricket World Cup hosted by the country, were all later �rooted out� by the authorities.
She said South Africa was all-too ready to host the world, assuring fans of a �highly successful tournament that would forever be engraved on the minds of all.� �We have taken a long-and-hard look at security too and we can stoutly guarantee the safety of everybody in South Africa, including the Black Stars of Ghana,� Ms Lallie said.
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