Over 100 South Africans stuck in Kuwait have finally begun their journey home amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Image: Clayson Monyela/X
South Africans stranded in Kuwait have begun their journey home as authorities move to assist citizens following heightened tensions in the Middle East that sparked concern among nationals living and working abroad.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed that 116 South Africans are being assisted to return home, with diplomatic missions coordinating evacuation efforts through neighbouring countries.
Clayson Monyela head of public diplomacy at DIRCO, said the first group of citizens had already started travelling out of Kuwait.
“#SouthAfrican🇿🇦 embassies in Kuwait & Saudi Arabia are facilitating the return of 116 nationals from Kuwait. The first group of 30 are enroute to Riyadh by road. They’ll fly home to 🇿🇦 with @flyethiopian,” Monyela said in a post on X.
Officials said the group will travel by road from Kuwait to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia before boarding an Ethoiopian Airlines flight back to South Africa.
Last week, DIRCO issued a series of advisories urging South Africans in the region to make contact with diplomatic missions and register their whereabouts with the relevant embassies.
“This follows another South Africa wishes to urge all its citizens currently in the Middle East Region to contact the respective Embassies accredited to their countries of residence to ensure that they are registered with and that their whereabouts are known to the Embassies,” the department said.
DIRCO cautioned that consular assistance in some parts of the region may be limited due to the volatile security situation.
“It is important to note that South Africa’s support in these countries could be limited and that it could be assumed that no face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency and the South African Government may not be able to help you if you get into difficulty, depending on your location.”
Smoke rises from a reported Iranian strike in the area where the US Embassy is located in Kuwait City, an AFP correspondent saw.
Image: AFP
The department also reported a surge in registrations on its travel monitoring platform as tensions escalated.
“The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) notes a significant increase in registrations by South Africans on the Travel Smart system, with over 6 400 South African citizens in the Middle East registering their presence as of March 4, 2026.”
Authorities urged South Africans in the region who are travelling for non-essential reasons to consider leaving affected areas through available commercial flights.
“We urge all citizens to note that several airlines have resumed limited commercial flights out of the region. Citizens are strongly encouraged to take immediate advantage of this opportunity to leave, as heavy attacks are regrettably expected to continue in the coming days. Your safety is our paramount concern.”
DIRCO also discouraged non-essential travel to the Middle East at this time and encouraged citizens in affected areas to register with the nearest South African embassy or consulate and on the department’s Travel Smart platform.
The department reiterated South Africa’s call for restraint amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
“South Africa takes this opportunity to reiterate its firm call on all parties to the conflict to exercise maximum restraint and to act in a manner consistent with international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of the United Nations Charter.”
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za