Fani-Kayode Declines SABC Interview After Livestream Controversy

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has declined an interview request from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) following controversy over the livestream of a diplomatic ceremony attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Fani-Kayode disclosed his decision after complaining that his introduction and speech were excluded from the livestream of the presentation of letters of credence by foreign diplomats.

The ceremony took place on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Tshwane, where representatives of 15 countries presented their diplomatic credentials to Ramaphosa.

According to Fani-Kayode, the livestream appeared to experience an interruption while another diplomat was speaking. When the broadcast resumed, it showed Ramaphosa addressing the gathering instead of continuing with the scheduled speeches.

The Nigerian envoy said he subsequently raised the matter directly with the South African President, who referred him to relevant officials to address the complaint.

However, he announced that he had rejected an interview request from SABC News because of what he described as the treatment of the Nigerian delegation.

The South African Presidency later responded through its spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, who said Ramaphosa had no authority to interfere in the operational or editorial decisions of public broadcasters.

Magwenya explained that the President had directed Fani-Kayode to Sophie Mokoena, SABC’s acting political and foreign editor, as the appropriate official to address the complaint.

He also claimed that the Nigerian envoy declined to speak with Mokoena, describing his approach to the matter as inappropriate.

The spokesperson maintained that the broadcast interruption was an operational issue and should not have been linked to the South African President.

Hours after the controversy emerged, the South African Presidency uploaded a separate video containing Fani-Kayode’s speech to its YouTube channel.

In his address, the Nigerian envoy had pledged to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, while recalling Nigeria’s historical support for the country’s struggle against apartheid.

The disagreement has attracted attention as Fani-Kayode begins his diplomatic assignment in South Africa.