President Cyril Ramaphosa launched South Africa's new Electronic Travel Authorisation system at OR Tambo International Airport on 12 August 2026Ramaphosa framed the digital visa platform as an economic tool directly linked to youth unemployment and job creationThe ETA system initially targets four G20 source markets and forms part of the broader Operation Vulindlela reform programmeCyril Ramaphosa said the new ETA system would create employment. Image: @PresidencyZASource: TwitterEKURHULENI, GAUTENG — President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launched South Africa's new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system at OR Tambo International Airport on 12 August 2026, positioning the digital platform as a direct response to the country's persistent youth unemployment crisis. ETA rolled out across 4 G20 marketsThe system allows eligible foreign visitors to apply for travel authorisation entirely online, removing the requirement to visit South African diplomatic missions abroad. Ramaphosa described the ETA as a key component of Operation Vulindlela, the government's structural reform agenda designed to strengthen national competitiveness. His call for a balanced approach was met with significant backlash from South Africans, who criticized his perceived inaction on immigration issues.