One of South Africa’s leading rappers, popularly known as AKA, has been shot dead outside a restaurant in the coastal city of Durban.
Kiernan Forbes was killed on Friday, February 10, 2023, along with his close friend, the chef, and entrepreneur Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.
The pair are thought to have been on their way to a nightclub for a performance as part of Forbes’ birthday celebrations when they were shot.
The motive of the killing is being investigated.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda has told the BBC that the rapper and his friend were walking to their car when they were approached by two armed men who shot them at close range.
The assailants then fled the scene on foot.
Police have said they don’t want to speculate on whether the murders were a result of a hit but said that possibility cannot be ruled out.
Forbes began his musical career as part of the rap group Entity before he launched his solo career, winning several awards in South Africa for his music.
He was also celebrated internationally, with several nominations for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) Award in the US and an MTV Europe Music Award.
Hours before his death, the 35-year-old posted on social media about his upcoming album, Mass Country, which is set for release later this month.
Forbes’ parents have paid tribute to him in a statement posted on one of his social media accounts.
“To us, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend, most importantly father to his beloved daughter Kairo,” they wrote.
“To many, he was AKA, Supa Mega, Bhova, and the many other names of affection his legion of fans called him by. Our son was loved and gave love in return.”
Motsoane, who was also AKA’s former manager, has been described on social media as “a true gentleman”.
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world and shootings are not uncommon.
The charity Gun Free South Africa, which works to reduce gun violence in the country, estimates that 30 people are murdered in the country with guns daily.
Burna Boy Is A Champion, We Consider Him A Winner – South African AKA
In what looked like a call for truce, South African rapper, Kiernan Jarryd Forbes popularly known as AKA has on Monday, January 27, 2020, described Burna Boy as a champion.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalls that AKA and Damini Ogulu, a Nigerian Singer popularly known as Burna Boy, were at war over the last xenophobic attack in South Africa.
Burna Boy had threatened to deal with AKA for his choice of words while AKA dared Burna Boy to step foot in South Africa, however, on November 14, 2019, AKA requested that Burna Boy should apologise to South Africans before stepping into the country for an event.
Following the Grammy Awards event, a fan of Burna Boy had threatened to mock AKA if Burna Boy had won but AKA responded with words of truce.
Mrs_Me7 tweeted “If Burna Boy wins grammy like this, We trolling AKA and S.A till the next grammy awards.”
AKA responded saying “What you should have done is focus on the positive instead of thinking about me and my country.
“In any case, Burna is still a champion. We still consider him a winner.”
A twitter user, Mobamz also trolled AKA saying “If Burna should win that grammy award, what am I saying. When Burna wins that grammy tonight AKA will be sent back to his village on credit by Nigerians.
AKA then tweeted “I never hated Burna Boy. All I did was stand up for my country.
“I think it’s time to move past this narrative. Like I said, even a nomination is a huge achievement.
Source: BBC
