The South African government has offered to help Kiernan “AKA” Forbes’ family with the necessary funeral arrangements. The 35-year-old rapper and his close friend, celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, were gunned down outside Wish restaurant in Durban last Friday.
Panyaza Lesufi, speaking outside the family home this week, expressed condolences to the bereaved and stated that the government is willing to assist them in giving the Lemonade rapper a dignified send-off.
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On Tuesday this week, the family of slain rapper AKA announced that they would be having a memorial service on Friday 17 February. The memorial service is open to the public and will also be live-streamed.
They also shared, in a press release posted on AKA’s social media, that he would be having a private funeral the following day (Saturday 18 February.)
Speaking outside the family home in Bryanston earlier this week, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said that the government would provide any “necessary assistance” to make sure AKA gets a dignified funeral.
“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 according to a TimesLive article.
NO FAVOURITISM, SAYS GOVT
The premier also added that they were not only offering assistance because of the rappers affiliation 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.