Fani-Kayode’s 2006 “madness” confession resurfaces in South Africa

An old report that Femi Fani-Kayode was cured of madness is trending in South Africa after he clashed with President Ramaphosa’s office over a livestream glitch.

A 2006 Nigerian newspaper report claiming Femi Fani-Kayode was treated for madness has resurfaced on South African social media following a row between the envoy and President Cyril Ramaphosa, Peoples Gazette reports.

The P.M. News front page, titled “How I was Cured of Madness. Fani-Kayode, OBJ’s Minister Gives Testimony In Church,” is being shared by users mocking Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa.

The dispute began on Friday when Fani-Kayode was among 15 ambassadors presenting letters of credence to Ramaphosa in Tshwane. An apparent livestream glitch left his speech off the broadcast.

Fani-Kayode complained on X that his speech was cut off, saying Ramaphosa acted promptly after he raised the matter. He also said he turned down an SABC News interview over the delegation’s treatment.

The presidency disputed his account. Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa does not interfere in public broadcasters’ decisions and referred the envoy to SABC’s acting political and foreign editor, Sophie Mokoena, whom he declined to speak with.

Magwenya called the envoy’s approach inappropriate over a minor operational misunderstanding.

The presidency later posted Fani-Kayode’s speech on YouTube.