President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that South Africans are no longer afraid of Kenyans after the country granted her 90-day visa-free visit beginning January 1.
Ramaphosa said previously, the country was hesitant to allow a free flow of Kenyan migrants to Africa's second largest economic hub due to the fear of the unknown.
"What always held us back is the fear. We were afraid that by opening up the doors to Kenyans it will come with undesirable elements that just want to transgress our immigration laws but today we were able to say let's ditch the fear," he said.
This, he said, now opens an avenue for Kenyans to do business with South Africans, study in South Africa, visit relatives, establish homes in and tour the country as tourists.
"And of course we have reached a very good agreement on this process. We are going to be hands on and it's not going to be a loophole that we have opened for those who want to transgress immigration regulations and slip into south Africa without proper papers," Ramaphosa said.
Previously, Kenyans were exempted from paying Visa fees for less than 30-day stay in South Africa.
If the stay exceeded 30 days, a Sh4,800 Visa fee was applicable.
Ramaphosa said Kenya has also been bold enough to get rid of its own fear to say that there will be return policy where those who went to South Africa illegally will be returned home.
"That is very positive and we welcome that," Ramaphosa said.
