The first flight of Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa over anti-immigrant tensions was en route to Accra on Wednesday, Ghana's foreign ministry said.

Some 800 Ghanaians in total are expected to leave South Africa after Accra organised repatriation flights in response to a wave of protests targeting foreigners in the country.

"The information I have indicates that the flight (was) delayed," but is currently on its way, Fred Duhoe, an aide to Ghana's foreign minister, told AFP.

An AFP photographer saw hundreds of Ghanaian nationals queuing at the O.R. Tambo International Airport, outside Johannesburg, early on Wednesday.

Unemployment rate

Flight tracking website FlightAware showed the plane had taken off just after 11:00 am local time.

The Ghana High Commission in South Africa has said some 300 people are expected on the initial flight, set to land later on Wednesday.

Ghana's government has promised to give those it is evacuating from South Africa a re-integration financial package and psycho-social support.

South Africa, which has recorded an unemployment rate of over 30%, has seen the mounting of anti-migrant protests, including in recent weeks.

The South African government has urged its citizens to exercise restraint and be accommodating of foreigners who are legally in the country.