The KwaZulu-Natal Department MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Amanda Bani-Mapena, said she learnt with shock and sadness of the fatal shooting of rapper Kiernan Forbes known as AKA, last Friday.
The MEC said the incident happened in Durban’s bustling Florida Road precinct.
Bani-Mapena added that she has joined millions of AKA’s fans, supporters and family in mourning the rapper whose life was taken in a brutal way leaving a gaping hole in the South African entertainment scene.
She said according to police at the scene, the rapper was killed in a drive-by shooting by unknown assailants while he was standing outside the Wish Restaurant, adding that one other person was also killed while another sustained injuries.
“The attacks and killing of music artists are often unheard of and the news we have just received are not only shocking but infuriating. The tragic killing, no matter the motivation, has not only deprived AKA’s family but it has put paid to one of the scintillatingly successful artistic stories in South Africa, Africa and the entire world. AKA was a household name globally,” said Bani-Mapena.
She added that the rapper’s Durban visit was part of the continuation of his birthday celebration and a tour ahead of his anticipated release of his Mass Country album on February 24, saying that he was billed to perform at Yugon on Friday evening.
Bani-Mapena said the fact that the incident happened in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the rapper’s much-vaunted appearance at the Durban All White Concert at the Durban ICC was on its own disheartening.
“We refuse to be defined as a province that does not recognise the value of human life. We cannot have artists lives taken in such an inhumane manner. This has left us distraught and bereft. We hope the law enforcement agencies will do their work in bringing the perpetrators to justice. We send heartfelt condolences to his beloved family, fans and industry colleagues,” said Bani-Mapena.
She added that last year Supa Mega, as he was affectionately known to his adoring fans, took his AKA Orchestra to Durban assisted by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page
