Fani-Kayode accuses South African Presidency of excluding his speech from livestream

Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has accused the South African Presidency of deliberately excluding his introduction and speech from the livestream of a ceremony where he presented his letters of credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria.

Fani-Kayode made the allegation in a statement following the ceremony at the South African Presidential Guest House, where he presented his credentials alongside ambassadors from 14 other countries.

He described the occasion as historic, noting that it marked the first time in four years that Nigeria had posted a substantive ambassador to South Africa.

According to him, the ceremony was livestreamed by the South African Presidency, but while the introductions and speeches of the other 14 ambassadors were broadcast, those of the Nigerian delegation were omitted. He alleged that the livestream resumed only after he had concluded his speech.

Fani-Kayode said he raised the matter directly with Ramaphosa during a photo session, prompting the South African President to take him to the relevant officials and direct them to resolve the issue immediately. However, he said the intervention came too late, as Nigeria’s presentation had already been left out of the broadcast.

“The entire event was livestreamed, but of all the 15 introductions and speeches made that morning, only Nigeria’s was cut out. Clearly, some elements in South Africa do not want to hear what we have to say or see our faces, but we are here to stay as long as we are welcome and have the confidence of President Ramaphosa, which I am sure we do,” he said.

The ambassador said at least two Nigerian television stations recorded the ceremony, including his speech and his subsequent exchange with Ramaphosa, adding that the footage would be released to the Nigerian public. He also disclosed that he declined an interview offered by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), asking its representatives to listen to the speech that was excluded from the livestream.

Fani-Kayode expressed appreciation to Ramaphosa for his intervention, but stressed that his respect and affection for South Africa and its people would not stop him from speaking out against any perceived disrespect towards Nigeria and its citizens.