The South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, has revealed that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was initially denied a visa to enter South Africa in February 2024 because of an incorrect yellow fever certificate.
Moroe said the visa issue, which has resurfaced amid reports of difficulties encountered by some Nigerian entertainers seeking entry into South Africa, was not related to the singer’s status or nationality.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the diplomat explained that Ayra Starr’s team had submitted a yellow fever certificate issued by another country instead of the required certificate from their home country.
“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.
He said the matter was later resolved amicably after the South African mission engaged with the singer’s team.
“Subsequently, the matter was resolved amicably and they were granted a one-year visa to go and perform in South Africa in 2024,” he said.
Moroe stressed that South African immigration officials assess visa applications based on established requirements and do not give preferential treatment to celebrities.
“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.
The consul-general also dismissed claims that South Africa had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians, describing such 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,” Moroe said.
According to him, visa applications from Nigerians have actually increased, rising from an average of 40 to 60 applications monthly in previous years to between 60 and 80 applications per month.
“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.
The clarification comes amid renewed concerns over alleged visa challenges faced by Nigerians travelling to South Africa, particularly entertainers.
Meanwhile, the South African Consulate in Lagos recently issued visas to five Nigerian disc jockeys travelling to the country for an event, further indicating that visa issuance to Nigerians remains ongoing.
