Tebogo Tsape

Despite steady growth in South Africa’s international tourism sector, the number of tourists arriving from India plummeted by a drastic 44.0% year-on-year in May 2026. The latest international tourism report, published by Statistics South Africa, shows that the country’s total volume of overnight tourists increased by 7.2% overall, rising from 804 163 in May 2025 to 861 750 in May 2026. However, India saw a glaring decline during this period.

The United States has officially claimed the top spot as South Africa’s largest overseas tourism market for May 2026. Defying diplomatic tensions, travellers from the US have touched down in their tens of thousands to experience South Africa’s local hospitality. According to the latest international tourism report published by Statistics South Africa, the country’s overall tourism sector is experiencing steady growth.

The Cape Town stage will offer a test of how the geography of school chess is changing. The global system is gradually moving beyond stand-alone international tournaments toward continental qualifiers, school-based programs and digital platforms. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) are building the organisational framework, national federations are fielding teams, and private capital is financing competitions and technology infrastructure.