South Africa Denies Ayra Starr Visa Rejection Claims Amid Tyla Concert Drama

According to Ireporter Online, South Africa’s Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, said immigration officials could not confirm any visa request or rejection involving Ayra Starr, adding that those making such claims should provide relevant details for verification.

Moroe explained that the South African mission would need the names of the applicants and visa reference numbers to investigate the allegations and determine whether any application was rejected and for what reasons.

The clarification follows claims by organisers of Ayra Starr’s planned performances in Johannesburg and Cape Town that the February 2024 shows were cancelled due to visa-related challenges.

Concert organisers, Steyn Entertainment, had previously stated that efforts were made to secure visas for the Nigerian singer and her team but were unsuccessful, leading to the cancellation of the events.

The issue has sparked reactions from Nigerian lawmakers and public figures, including former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who called for fair treatment of Nigerian entertainers travelling to South Africa.

Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that if the visa denial claims were confirmed, Nigeria should consider reciprocal measures in response to what she described as unequal treatment.

Meanwhile, Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla has reportedly removed her scheduled Lagos performance from her upcoming world tour itinerary, adding to the growing controversy between fans in both countries.

A review of Tyla’s official tour schedule showed that the December 22 Lagos date was no longer listed, although other international performances remained unchanged. Neither the singer nor her management has publicly explained the reason for the removal.

The development comes amid criticism from some Nigerians over alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa. Some social media users had questioned Tyla’s silence over the reported incidents and called for the cancellation of her planned Nigerian performance.

Reacting to the situation, Moroe said the South African government had not received any official complaint from Tyla’s concert organisers and could neither confirm nor deny reports surrounding the cancellation.

He, however, stressed that diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa remain strong despite recent disagreements, noting that both countries continue to engage through diplomatic channels to address areas of concern.

Moroe added that recent high-level discussions between officials of both nations demonstrated a commitment to maintaining and strengthening bilateral relations.