The South African Consul-General in Nigeria, Prof Bobby Moroe, has explained that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was once refused a South African visa because she submitted the wrong yellow fever certificate.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Moroe said the visa issue happened in February 2024 and was not a recent incident, as some reports suggested.
According to him, the issue came back into the spotlight after reports claimed that Ayra Starr and members of her team were denied visas to South Africa.
He said the South African mission later met with the singer’s team to explain the documents they needed to provide.
Moroe stressed that the visa refusal had nothing to do with Ayra Starr being a celebrity or a Nigerian.
The South African Envoy said the application did not meet the required immigration conditions at the time.
He said, “I do not see the relevance of that rejection to the development of today, except for using that rejection to sow division.
“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.
“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.”
Moroe also maintained that South African immigration officials treat all visa applicants equally, regardless of their fame or nationality.
“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 diplomat further explained that travellers applying for South African visas are expected to provide the necessary documents, including a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate from their home country.
His comments come amid renewed concerns about claims that Nigerians, particularly entertainers, are facing difficulties getting South African visas.
Moroe rejected reports that South Africa had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians, describing the claim as false.
He said visa decisions are based on whether applicants meet the required conditions.
He said, “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 also revealed that the number of Nigerians applying for South African visas has increased.
According to him, monthly applications have grown from about 40 to 60 in previous years to between 60 and 80 applications currently.
“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.
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