You Misunderstood a Minor Issue, Your Approach Was Grossly Inappropriate – South Africa Blasts Fani-Kayode

The South African presidency has responded to claims from
Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s excessive commissioner to the nation, alleging that his
speech was reduce off when he introduced his letters of credence to President Cyril
Ramaphosa.

 

Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, mentioned Fani-Kayode
misrepresented the scenario and falsely referenced the president as an
intervening authority within the matter.

Fani-Kayode introduced his letters of credence alongside 14
different envoys on Friday on the Sefako M. Makgatho presidential visitor home in
Tshwane, Gauteng.

The South African presidency livestreamed the ceremony on
YouTube.

However, the livestream appeared to undergo a glitch whereas
Antoine Michon, the French ambassador to South Africa, whom Fani-Kayode was
scheduled to talk after, was delivering his speech.

The broadcast subsequently reduce to Ramaphosa addressing the
ambassadors.

Fani-Kayode publicly expressed his grievances in a prolonged
submit on X.

The diplomat mentioned he raised the problem instantly with
Ramaphosa, who “in fairness to him”, took Fani-Kayode to the “related
officers and acted with despatch”.

Fani-Kayode mentioned he turned down an interview supply from SABC
News, the South African state broadcaster, “as a consequence of the deplorable
manner we had been handled”.

SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENCY RESPONDS

Magwenya mentioned Fani-Kayode referenced Ramaphosa on a matter
he had no involvement.

“In South Africa the President doesn’t intervene on
operational issues on the public broadcasters, neither did he intervene on
your behalf,” he mentioned.

Magwenya mentioned Ramaphosa solely directed Fani-Kayode to Sophie
Mokoena, SABC performing political and international editor, who was essentially the most acceptable
individual to lift his grievance with.

Magwenya mentioned the excessive commissioner refused to talk to
Mokoena, who would have cleared the misunderstanding.

“The SABC is a public broadcaster. The President carries no
authorized or political mandate to intervene with its operations or intervene in its
editorial processes,” he added.

“Frankly, your strategy on this regard on a minor
operational situation which you misunderstood was grossly inappropriate.”

The presidential spokesman urged Fani-Kayode to fulfill with
the SABC to forge a “mutually useful, respectful {and professional}
relationship” as he begins his tenure.

“I want you properly in your tenure and I hope you start to
have interaction the assorted points of South African society and its constitutional
tenets constructively.”

Hours after Fani-Kayode’s submit, the South African presidency
uploaded a separate video that includes his speech on its YouTube channel.

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