Why South Africa Initially Denied Ayra Starr Visa — Consul-General

The South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof Bobby Moroe, has explained why Nigerian singer, Ayra Starr, was initially denied a visa to enter South Africa.

Moroe said the singer’s visa application was rejected because she submitted an inappropriate yellow fever certificate, stressing that the decision had nothing to do with her status as a Nigerian or her celebrity status.

The envoy made the clarification amid renewed controversy over the planned visit of South African singer, Tyla, to Nigeria as part of her tour.

The controversy followed recent calls by some South Africans for Black Africans from other African countries to leave South Africa. When Tyla’s team subsequently announced Nigeria as one of the countries where she would perform, some Nigerians demanded that the singer should not be allowed into the country.

They cited the earlier controversy involving Ayra Starr, who was reportedly denied entry to South Africa.

However, speaking with The Punch, Moroe said Ayra Starr’s visa rejection occurred in February 2024 and was not a recent development.

According to him, the issue resurfaced after reports claimed that Starr and members of her team had been denied South African visas.

He said the South African mission subsequently engaged with the singer’s team to explain the requirements that had to be met.

Moroe explained that one of the issues was the yellow fever certificate submitted by the team, which he said was from another country rather than the applicant’s home country.

He said the matter was later resolved amicably, with Starr and her team eventually receiving one-year visas to travel to South Africa for her performance in 2024.

The envoy 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 further stressed that South Africa’s visa process applies equally to everyone, regardless of their nationality, profession or social status.

“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.