Magwenya accused the Nigerian envoy of misrepresenting President Ramaphosa’s involvement in the controversy and urged him to engage constructively with South African institutions while respecting the country’s constitutional principles.
The disagreement followed Fani-Kayode’s complaint that his introduction and speech during a ceremony at the South African Presidential Guest House in Pretoria were deliberately excluded from the livestream of the event.
Reacting to the ambassador’s comments, Magwenya said he regretted having to address Fani-Kayode publicly but considered it necessary to correct what he described as a false account of the President’s involvement.
“Your Excellency, I deeply regret that I have to address you through a public platform. However, now that you have falsely referenced the President on a matter he has no involvement in, I’m duty bound to clarify your misrepresentation of facts,” he stated.
Magwenya explained that President Ramaphosa did not intervene on Fani-Kayode’s behalf, maintaining that the South African leader had neither the legal nor political authority to interfere in the operations or editorial decisions of the country’s public broadcaster.
According to him, Ramaphosa merely directed the Nigerian ambassador to Sophie Mokoena, whom he identified as the appropriate person to address the complaint.
“In South Africa the President does not intervene on operational matters at the public broadcasters, neither did he intervene on your behalf. He simply pointed you to @Sophie_Mokoena who was the most appropriate person to raise your grievance with,” he said.
The presidential spokesperson further alleged that Fani-Kayode declined to speak with Mokoena, who he said could have clarified the circumstances surrounding the livestream.
“Your Excellency, you refused to speak to @Sophie_Mokoena who would have cleared the misunderstanding with you. I would encourage you, that as you start your tenure in South Africa you meet with SABC to forge a mutually beneficial, respectful and professional relationship,” Magwenya added.
He emphasised that the SABC operates as a public broadcaster with editorial and operational independence, which must be respected by public officials.
“The SABC is a public broadcaster. The President carries no legal or political mandate to interfere with its operations or intervene in its editorial processes,” he stated.
Describing the ambassador’s reaction as inappropriate, Magwenya said the disagreement arose from what he characterised as a minor operational issue that had been misunderstood.
“Frankly, your approach in this regard on a minor operational issue which you misunderstood was grossly inappropriate.
“I wish you well on your tenure and I hope you begin to engage the various aspects of South African society and its constitutional tenets constructively,” he said.
Fani-Kayode Accuses South African Presidency of Exclusion
The controversy began after Fani-Kayode accused the South African Presidency of deliberately excluding Nigeria’s delegation from the livestream of a ceremony involving 15 ambassadors who presented their letters of credence to President Ramaphosa.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Friday, the Nigerian envoy claimed that the introductions and speeches of 14 other ambassadors were broadcast, while his own presentation was omitted.
He described Nigeria as the only country whose ambassadorial introduction and address were excluded from the livestream.
Fani-Kayode said the ceremony, held at the South African Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, was watched by audiences in Nigeria, South Africa and other parts of the international community.
He also claimed that he raised the matter with President Ramaphosa during the event, prompting the South African leader to question officials and direct that the complaint be addressed.
However, Magwenya’s response has disputed the ambassador’s account of the President’s intervention, insisting that the matter was an operational issue for the SABC rather than one within the President’s authority.
