Prof. Bobby Moroe, the South African Consul-General to Nigeria, has provided an explanation for the initial denial of a South African visa to Nigerian artist Ayra Starr.
Recall that Black Africans from other African countries were recently requested to leave South Africa. Nigeria is one of the nations where South African singer Tyla will play on her tour, according to an announcement made shortly after by her company.
Recalling that Ayra Starr was refused a visa to enter South Africa, Nigerians demanded that Tyla not be allowed admission into their country.
In response, Prof. Moroe, South Africa’s Consul-General to Nigeria, told Punch that Ayra Starr’s application for a visa was rejected due to an incorrect yellow fever certificate.
He went on to say that the denial of the visa happened in February 2024, not as recently as was suggested.
According to the envoy, the dispute reappeared after it was reported that Starr and her team had been refused entrance visas to South Africa. This prompted the South African mission to meet with her team and explain the conditions that needed to be met.
He claims that the singer’s personality or status as a Nigerian seeking access into the nation had nothing to do with the rejection, which was based on not meeting visa requirements.
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.”
He added: “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.”