By Lehlohohonolo Lehana.
A public memorial service was held to celebrate the life of Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes at the Sandton Convention Centre.
AKA (35) was shot and killed outside a popular night spot in Durban a week ago. His long-time friend and former manager, Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane (41), was killed in the same shooting.
They will be laid to rest in private funeral ceremonies on Saturday.
Attendees included the Forbes family, AKA’s father Tony, mother Lynn, his brother Steffan, Brittany Smith, girlfriend Nadia Nakai, DJ Zinhle, their daughter Kairo Forbes and Pearl Thusi’s daughter Thando Mokoena.
The family were emotional during the touching memorial celebrating AKA’s life. Most of them were dressed in black T-shirts that read out the words: “Long live Supa Mega, live long.”
Kabelo Mabalane started the memorial with prayer, and revealed he was AKA’s spiritual mentor. He also told the mourners he used to lead home cell groups attended by AKA.
The Kwaito legend said the rapper also brought his partner Nadia Nakai along to the last group he attended before he was murdered.
In Mabalane’s prayer request, he said he hoped that AKA’s last album, Mass Country, becomes successful.
There were emotive musical performances from Langa Mavuso, Sjava and Joyous Celebration. The award-winning choir sang their collaboration with AKA for the first time, as their song will feature on Mass Country.
In attendance included Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, artists JR Bogopa, Khuli Chana, Yanga Chief, Oskido and DJ Tira.
Lynn said she only planned to have two sons, Kiernan and Steffan, however, because of AKA’s friends she was now a mother of many sons.
“My kids have spread over.”
Lynn said her son’s death was “calculated” and “cold”.
In her message to his fans, the Megacy, she said: “Today going forward it will not just be about me and the rest of our family, extended family and friends. It will be about the Megacy as our broader family. I believe that is what Kiernan would have wanted.
My beloved family of the Megacy, Kiernan’s body was taken from us, it has been taken from us in the most brutal way and I do understand that just like me and our family, you must be feeling the same anger and incredible pain and being in a state of absolute disbelief.”
She asked fans to be in control of their emotions.
She also said her son never wanted to produce mediocre music and he would want them to carry on his legacy.
Lynn said Nadia and Zinhle would always be her daughters, and that she doesn’t care what social media says about them.
“They don’t matter, the Megacy matters.”
She concluded: “Don Design, you are my son. I love you.
JR Bogopa also shared his memories and said hey had many after-hour calls, looked back at their music collaboration and how a city like Durban, which he loved would be the one to take him.
JR said while he could not remember how they met, an early moment that stood out in their friendship was around late 2009 or early 2010 when he asked AKA to accompany him to Durban for a show.
He added AKA would never end a phone call without saying ‘I love you.’