Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was initially denied a South African visa after submitting an inappropriate yellow fever certificate, South Africa’s Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof Bobby Moroe, has said.
Moroe said the incident occurred in February 2024, contrary to recent reports suggesting that the singer and her team were denied visas in connection with a more recent trip.
According to the diplomat, the visa application was rejected because it did not meet the required immigration conditions and had nothing to do with Ayra Starr’s status as a prominent Nigerian artiste.
He said the singer’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 the matter was subsequently resolved after the South African mission engaged with Ayra Starr’s team to clarify the visa requirements.
He said the singer was later granted a one-year visa to perform in South Africa in 2024.
“Subsequently, the matter was resolved amicably and they were granted a one-year visa to go and perform in South Africa in 2024.”
The envoy stressed that South African immigration authorities apply the same requirements to all visa applicants regardless of their profession, nationality or public profile.
“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 explained that travellers applying for South African visas are required to provide relevant documentation, including a yellow fever certificate from their home country as evidence of vaccination where applicable.
South Africa Denies Visa Ban on Nigerians
Moroe also dismissed claims that South Africa had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians, saying applications continued to be processed based on established immigration requirements.
“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 said visa applications from Nigerians had increased in recent months.
According to Moroe, monthly applications that previously averaged between 40 and 60 had risen 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.”
The clarification comes amid concerns over alleged difficulties faced by some Nigerian entertainers seeking entry permits to South Africa.
Meanwhile, the South African Consulate in Lagos issued visas to five Nigerian DJs travelling to South Africa for an event.
One of the DJs, Solomon Akinkunmi, said he received a one-year visa, while the other four were issued visas valid for three months.
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