Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh opens up about his relationship with late rapper AKA

Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh opened up about his relationship with late rapper AKA during his sit-down with fellow podcaster Penuel The Black Pen in a recent episode of The Konvo Show. 

One topic that took centre stage was his childhood friendship with the late rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, who was shot dead on February 10 outside a restaurant on Florida Road in Durban. His murder is still under investigation. 

Sizwe and AKA were part of the hip-hop group Entity in the 2000s, and their friendship dated back to their school days when attending St John's College.

“I lost touch with Kiernan 10 years before his death. We hadn't spoken in a very long time, even though we were best friends at school, and so when I spoke about him before, there was a certain amount of resentment because I felt like, ‘you became famous and then you forgot about us’. I realise that was very short-sighted of me,” he said.

“When he died, in that moment, suddenly things fall into perspective. I wish we could've had a chance to sit down for the last time and just talk.” 

Sizwe admitted that when AKA died, he was reluctant to attend his funeral and memorial service because they had lost touch but was grateful the family reached out to him so he could pay his respects.

“I didn't want to claim my proximity to him because I hadn't spoken to the guy in 10 years.”