Magwenya challenged Fani-Kayode in a post on X on Friday, saying Ramaphosa had no involvement in the matter and could not interfere with the operations or editorial decisions of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
“Your Excellency, you refused to speak to @Sophie_Mokoena who would have cleared the misunderstanding with you,” Magwenya wrote.
He urged Fani-Kayode to establish a professional relationship with the public broadcaster, adding that the President had no legal or political mandate to interfere with its operations.
The exchange followed Fani-Kayode’s complaint that the South African Presidency had deliberately excluded Nigeria’s delegation and his address from the livestream of Friday’s presentation of Letters of Credence to Ramaphosa in Pretoria.
Fani-Kayode said representatives of 15 countries attended the ceremony, but the introductions and speeches of 14 ambassadors were broadcast while Nigeria’s presentation was omitted.
He also claimed that he raised the matter directly with Ramaphosa during a photo session after the ceremony, prompting the South African leader to take him to relevant officials and direct them to address the issue.
However, reports on the livestream indicated that the broadcast experienced a technical interruption while French Ambassador Antoine Michon was delivering his address, before cutting to Ramaphosa.
The disagreement has also generated reactions from Nigerians and South Africans on social media, with several users criticising Fani-Kayode’s handling of the incident.
A South African user, Mark Boikanyo, wrote, “They serve you right because you guys have allowed this nobodies to disrespect our country.”
Another user, Chimaboi, commented, “South Africans drag him. You have our full permission.”
Some Nigerian users also criticised Fani-Kayode. Rinu Oduala, reacting to Magwenya’s response, wrote, “Lmaooo. You don’t know who you admitted as ambassador.”
Another user, Moshood, linked the controversy to domestic politics, writing, “They’ll always disgrace us home and away, APC is a criminal organization.”
The South African Presidency subsequently released a separate recording containing Fani-Kayode’s full speech on its official YouTube channel on Friday afternoon, hours after his complaint.
During the address, Fani-Kayode pledged to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, describing his assignment as an opportunity to rebuild ties between the two countries.
The ceremony marked the presentation of diplomatic credentials by representatives of 15 countries to Ramaphosa at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria.
