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In a positive step for South African tourism, the government has announced the scrapping of the UBC (Unabridged Birth Certificate) ruling, meaning that foreign minors travelling to South Africa with their parents will now require just a valid passport to travel without needing additional supporting documents such as birth certificates and consent letters. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi signed a waiver on Friday 8 November, effectively ending the regulations which were introduced in 2015.
Tourism industry bodies have praised the decision, with the CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa hailing the move as "an audacious move by Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi that will clear all the confusion around travel requirements and ease travel for tourists coming into South Africa. Tourism minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane has also welcomed the move and said the announcement could not have come at a better time, just ahead of the festive season.
Africa Travel's Chris Wain has once again been named one of the world's top travel specialists by Conde Nast Traveler.
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