South Africa’s Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof Bobby Moroe, has explained that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was initially denied a South African visa in 2024 because her team submitted an inappropriate yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Moroe made the clarification in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, stating that the incident occurred in February 2024 and was unrelated to recent claims that Nigerian entertainers were being denied entry into South Africa.
According to the diplomat, the issue resurfaced after reports claimed that Ayra Starr and members of her team had been denied South African visas. He said officials subsequently engaged the singer’s team to explain the documentation required for the application.
Moroe stressed that the decision was based solely on immigration requirements and had nothing to do with the singer’s fame or nationality.
He said, “I do not see the relevance of that rejection to the development of today, except for using that rejection to sow division.”
He explained that one of the problems with the application was the yellow fever certificate submitted by the singer’s team.
“One of the challenges was that they did not submit an appropriate yellow fever certificate. They submitted the yellow fever certificate of another country when they were supposed to submit the yellow fever certificate of their home country.”
Moroe said the matter was later resolved, allowing Ayra Starr to obtain a visa and travel to South Africa for performances.
“Subsequently, the matter was resolved amicably and they were granted a one-year visa to go and perform in South Africa in 2024, and I think that was what they forgot to mention.”
The envoy maintained that South African immigration authorities assess all applicants based on the same requirements, regardless of their fame or social status.
“If you meet the requirement for a visa, whether you are a star or not, tall, short, black or white, if you qualify, you will get it. But if you don’t, regardless of who you are, the immigration section will uphold the immigration law of the country,” he said.
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He added that travellers are expected to provide the necessary documentation, including a valid yellow fever certificate from their home country as evidence of vaccination.
Moroe also rejected claims that South Africa had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians, describing the reports as false.
“Whether you are Ayra Starr or anyone, if you qualify, you will get it. The narrative that we have stopped issuing visas to Nigerians is false. We are not politicians; we don’t get into politics. Whether there are unrest or not, if you qualify for the visa, you will be given.”
He disclosed that the number of visa applications from Nigerians had actually increased, rising from an average of 40 to 60 applications monthly to between 60 and 80.
“The visa applications have increased compared to the past. Before now, it used to be between 40 and 60 applications monthly, but now it has increased to between 60 and 80 applications monthly,” he added.
Meanwhile, the South African Consulate in Lagos issued visas to five Nigerian DJs on Wednesday for an event in South Africa.
One of the DJs, Solomon Akinkunmi, confirmed the development, saying he received a one-year visa while the other applicants were issued three-month visas.
“We were five that were given visas. I was given a one-year visa, while others were given three months each,” he said.