SABC Says Fani-Kayode Declined Interview Over Livestream Dispute

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has confirmed that Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, turned down an interview invitation following his protest over the omission of his speech from a livestream of a diplomatic ceremony.

The broadcaster disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, expressing regret over the envoy’s decision while maintaining that it remained willing to engage with him and the Nigerian High Commission.

The disagreement followed Friday’s presentation of letters of credence by 15 ambassadors to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria.

Fani-Kayode had complained that his introduction and address were left out of the ceremony’s livestream, which he said broadcast the presentations of 14 other ambassadors before resuming after he had finished speaking.

The envoy also disclosed that he rejected an interview offered by SABC News at the venue because of his dissatisfaction with the treatment of Nigeria’s delegation.

In its response, the broadcaster said it respected his decision.

“We regret that the High Commissioner declined an interview with SABC News, reportedly because of his dissatisfaction with the livestream of the ceremony. We respect his decision and remain open to engaging with him and the Nigerian High Commission,” the statement said.

However, the SABC did not directly address the allegation that Fani-Kayode’s speech was excluded from the livestream.

It also rejected being described as a state broadcaster, explaining that it operates as a public service media organisation with an independent editorial mandate.

“Two points need clarifying. First, the SABC is a public service media, not a state broadcaster. Our mandate is to serve the public interest through independent, impartial and credible journalism. The Presidency’s livestream arrangements and SABC News’ editorial coverage are separate matters.

“Secondly, SABC News did cover the ceremony. It was carried on the SABC News LIVE channel on SABC+, and the High Commissioner’s arrival was shown during a live crossing on the SABC News Channel (DStv Channel 404). We also published a clip on our official X account of the High Commissioner speaking to President Cyril Ramaphosa,” it said.

The broadcaster further stated: “The SABC remains committed to upholding the principles of fairness, impartiality and editorial independence in its coverage, as well as value our longstanding relationship with Nigeria.”

The South African Presidency subsequently released the complete recording of the ceremony, including Fani-Kayode’s speech, on its YouTube channel.

The incident also triggered a public exchange between the Nigerian High Commission and Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Ramaphosa.

Magwenya disputed the envoy’s account of the President’s intervention, saying Ramaphosa neither controlled the broadcaster’s operations nor influenced its editorial decisions. He said the President had instead directed Fani-Kayode to the appropriate SABC official to lodge his complaint.

The Nigerian High Commission, however, defended the envoy, alleging that Nigeria had been treated with contempt and maintaining that Ramaphosa had intervened.

The disagreement comes amid renewed concerns over attacks against Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa.

Nigeria has repeatedly expressed concerns about the safety of its citizens in the country. In September, the National Assembly suspended official visits to South Africa over anti-migrant violence, while Nigerian authorities reported that 98 citizens had died in mob or hate-related incidents there since 2022.