Akhumzi's letter to his 16-year-old self will leave you in tears

A few years ago actor and producer Akhumzi Jezile wrote an open letter to his younger self, encouraging him to never give up and embrace his body while he still can.

Akhumzi died in a horror car accident last weekend alongside four other friends, including Siyasanga Kobese and actor Thobani Mseleni.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, close friends of the actor said they were devastated by the news and the deaths have a void in the entertainment industry.

"Police told me everyone in the car died. All of them. They were all genuine people. Akhumzi was bold. I am much older than him and he would tell me if I was right or wrong. I had a heart attack and he was always phoning to check on me. He checked on me every day and asked how my heart was," Joyous Celebration founder Lindelani Mkhize said

In a letter first published by Drum, and republished after his death, Akhumzi showed glimpes of this kind heart while opening up about the insecurities, fears and dreams of his 16-year-old self.

"Today you’re 16 and in Grade 11 with a bucket full of dreams, and you have no idea which ones will come to pass and which ones are just baggage. At times you feel like the whole world is against you – your mom forces you to do the dishes, your sisters are your biggest enemies, and the only person that gets you is you," he wrote.

He said that every obstacle he faced made him stronger and the advice of others shaped who he was. He ended the letter by telling his younger self to not worry so much and make peace with himself while he still can.

"Live every day stress-free, God has your back at all times. And finally, you’ll be living in this body for the rest of your life so best make peace with it and enjoy it while you can!"

Speaking to Arye Kellman on CliffCentral in February, the former YoTV presenter said that he hardest part of growing up was dealing with insecurity while trying to separate yourself from the fame.

"When you are a teenager you are in a crucial part of your life, a stage where you are trying to define and figure yourself out. The hardest is to do this while there are so many eyes. It made me who I am. It made me separate myself from who you see on TV. I learnt to deal with fame. I see people come into the industry right now and watch their heads inflate, and you know how it is going to end...you can't take it all home with you"