Government offers to help AKA’s family with ‘necessary’ burial arrangements

Fela In Versace hit maker will be laid to rest at a private funeral on Saturday

15 February 2023 - 09:45
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AKA will be laid to rest at a private funeral on Saturday.
AKA will be laid to rest at a private funeral on Saturday.
Image: Instagram/AKA

The Gauteng government has offered to help Kiernan “AKA” Forbes' family with the burial of the late rapper. 

AKA and his lifelong friend celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane were shot dead at a popular restaurant in Durban's Florida Road on Friday night. 

Speaking to media outside AKA's family home in Bryanston this week, Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi said government would provide “necessary assistance” to make sure the rapper is given a befitting farewell. 

“We are committed to provide whatever necessary assistance is needed so we can ensure our hero is given a befitting farewell.

“We believe he is an international icon supported across the globe, and it is an opportunity for us as South Africans to ensure we stand with the family, especially his daughter,” said Lesufi. 

He said government was not offering to help the family because AKA had a long-standing relationship with the ANC. 

“We are not doing this on the basis that it is AKA, but you can't eliminate the importance and power of those who are known in the public space and our presence here is on the basis of that. We attend to many people known and unknown, and we provide all the necessary support that is needed,” he said.

AKA's memorial service, which is open to the public, is set to take place on Friday at the Sandton Convention Centre from 3pm to 5pm.

The Fela In Versace hit maker will be laid to rest in a private funeral on Saturday.

“We as the Forbes family would like to acknowledge the outpouring of love we have received over the past few days. Kiernan wasn’t just loved by us as a family but by the nation, as we’ve seen from loved ones, friends, industry colleagues, media tributes and the Megacy. It is our wish to celebrate the life of Kiernan with those he touched and impacted through his gift of music,” the family said. 

The family acknowledged the support from extended family, and said DJ Zinhle's husband Murda Bongz will not attend.

“We'd also like to acknowledge our extended family, the Mohosanas. for their unwavering support during this time as Bongani Mohosana will be in absentia at the memorial and the funeral due to observing cultural protocol”. 


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