A combination of pre-paid travel cards, mobile phones and services has been launched for foreign visitors to South Africa.

The Neo Africa Secure Solution is a package comprising a mobile phone handset and pre-paid travel card, bundled with safety and concierge services. There are several options available, from an economy package through to a premium package.
  
The following features are on offer:
 
• A pre-paid travel card in local currency;
• Cardholders have complete control over their card, which cannot be used without the linked mobile phone. Travellers are able to switch their debit card on and off using the mobile phone. By default, the card will automatically switch off after every transaction – rendering it unusable to anyone other than the authorised cardholder should it be lost, stolen or even cloned;
• An affordable pre-paid mobile handset and local SIM card, approved for use on local mobile networks and offering local call rates;
• An optional handset upgrade to a full qwerty-keyboard phone, with built-in TV and dual SIM capability;
• The mobile phones offer a series of one-touch features which include switching the card on and off, reloading both the card and the mobile phone airtime, a balance check, and instant access to Neo Africa’s concierge and emergency services;
• The mobile phones offer an integrated tracking service, allowing Neo Africa to locate the traveller in case of emergency. Depending on the package, this also includes active monitoring by an emergency call centre and a courtesy call should the traveller stray into an unsafe, red-flagged area. Web-based tracking is also available on selected packages;
• The traveller receives a text notification on the mobile handset not only when a card transaction is successful, but also when a transaction is blocked – informing the cardholder of any use of the card, whether fraudulently attempted or simply a reminder that they have forgotten to activate their card for that particular transaction;
Visitors to South Africa will be able to receive their package immediately upon their arrival in the country at special Neo Africa Secure Solution kiosks situated at South Africa’s major airports or at outlets and mobile delivery points around the country.
Members of the travel sector can earn commission on all clients who purchase one of the three different packages on offer (R30 to R100 depending on the package sold). A minimum order of 20 is required. The Neo Africa Secure Solution is supported by MasterCard, Vodacom and Standard Bank. Packages will be available from June 1.