The South African Consul-General in Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, has provided an explanation for the visa issue involving Nigerian Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr, revealing that her initial application failed to meet a required immigration condition.
According to Moroe, the incident occurred in February 2024 and was not a recent development, despite renewed reports suggesting otherwise.
He explained that the problem centred on the yellow fever vaccination certificate submitted by Ayra Starr’s team. Rather than providing a certificate issued in Nigeria, the team reportedly submitted one from another country.
Moroe stressed that the decision was strictly based on South Africa’s immigration requirements and was not connected to Ayra Starr being a celebrity or to any policy against Nigerian citizens.
He said the matter was later cleared up after South African officials engaged with the singer’s representatives and explained the documents that were required.
The issue was subsequently resolved, and Ayra Starr was granted a one-year visa which enabled her to travel to South Africa for a performance in 2024.
Moroe also rejected the idea that prominent personalities receive special treatment during the visa process, explaining that applicants are assessed according to the same immigration rules regardless of their status.
He said:
“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.”
He added:
“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 diplomat further maintained that meeting the necessary requirements, rather than fame or nationality, determines whether an applicant receives a visa.
“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,” Moroe said.
His comments come amid renewed speculation that South Africa has stopped granting visas to Nigerian entertainers or introduced tougher restrictions specifically targeting Nigerians.
Moroe dismissed the claim, insisting that South Africa continues to process and approve Nigerian visa applications when applicants satisfy the relevant requirements.
“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,” he said.
