Nigerian Afrobeats singer Ayra Starr was initially denied a South African visa after submitting an inappropriate yellow fever vaccination certificate, South Africa’s Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, has disclosed.
Moroe made the disclosure in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, clarifying that the incident occurred in February 2024 and was not a recent visa denial as recently portrayed.
According to the diplomat, Ayra Starr and her team had submitted a yellow fever certificate issued by another country instead of the certificate required from their country of origin.
He explained that the South African mission later engaged with the singer’s team to clarify the visa requirements, after which the issue was resolved amicably.
Moroe said Ayra Starr was subsequently granted a one-year visa to travel to South Africa for performances in 2024.
The envoy stressed that South African visa applications are assessed according to immigration requirements, regardless of an applicant’s fame, nationality or social status.
“If you meet the requirement for a visa, whether you are a star or not, 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.
Moroe also dismissed reports that South Africa had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians, describing such claims as false.
He said visa applications from Nigerians had actually increased, rising from an average of between 40 and 60 applications per month in previous years to between 60 and 80 applications monthly.
Meanwhile, the South African Consulate in Lagos recently issued visas to five Nigerian disc jockeys who are scheduled to travel to the country for an event.
One of the DJs, Solomon Akinkunmi, confirmed that he received a one-year visa, while the other four were issued three-month visas.
Moroe reiterated that applicants who meet South Africa’s immigration requirements will continue to receive visas, regardless of their profession or public profile.
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