The South African Presidency has released a separate video of Nigeria’s High Commissioner, Femi Fani-Kayode, delivering his address at a diplomatic credentials ceremony, hours after he protested the omission of his speech from the official livestream.
Fani-Kayode was among 15 ambassadors who presented their letters of credence to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Tshwane, Gauteng.
However, his address was not captured in the ceremony’s livestream on the South African Presidency’s official YouTube channel.
The broadcast reportedly experienced a technical interruption while French Ambassador Antoine Michon was speaking. Although Fani-Kayode was scheduled to speak next, the livestream switched to Ramaphosa’s address.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian envoy questioned whether his speech had been deliberately excluded, suggesting that some elements in South Africa were uncomfortable with his presence and views.
“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,” he said.
Fani-Kayode disclosed that he personally brought the omission to Ramaphosa’s attention during a photo session after the ceremony.
According to him, the South African president immediately took him to the relevant officials to address the complaint.
Hours later, the presidency published a separate recording of the Nigerian diplomat’s speech on its YouTube channel.
In his address, Fani-Kayode pledged to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, describing his appointment as an opportunity to rebuild cooperation between both countries.
“Nothing can come between the two of us. And part of my job here is to reset that relationship, to come and build that bridge,” he said.
He recalled Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle, stressing that the longstanding relationship should provide a foundation for stronger bilateral cooperation.
The envoy also described Nigeria as South Africa’s largest trading partner in Africa and called for closer collaboration to advance the continent’s interests.
He warned that the future of Africa could be affected if both countries failed to work closely together.
Fani-Kayode further commended South Africa’s positions on international issues, including the Gaza conflict, its membership of BRICS and its advocacy for the Global South.
He also praised Ramaphosa’s efforts towards securing Nigeria’s inclusion in the Group of 20 (G20).
The credentials presentation ceremony marked the first posting of a substantive Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa in four years, according to Fani-Kayode.
