Cape Town — Tony Forbes, the father of former rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes, said the family are still coming to terms with his death, just seven months later.
AKA was tragically shot and killed in Durban in February and the family have gone through a difficult time as they heal from and grieve his loss.
In an exclusive interview with eNCA, Tony said the family is still trying to accept that Kiernan is no more.
“We are okay, but it is very difficult. I think after seven months you start getting to that stage where life is carrying on, and for me, at this point, I feel the gap, the hole of him not being with us anymore.”
“I have my bad, very bad, and better days, and I think it will be like that for a while. It wasn’t just losing a child, but the circumstances and the emotional side is still very much there. The tears are very close, anything can trigger an emotional state. As a family we continue to struggle with coming to terms with what happened” he said.
He said that they are grateful that they continue to hear his voice through his music but it is painful when there are silent moments.
Tony also spoke about how he’s used Kiernan’s music and memories to get through the tough time and he said he considered writing a b0ok inspired by stories from AKA’s colleagues and friends who spoke about his journey.
He also said he had a role to play as a grandfather to Kairo and how he admired what a strong and resilient child she is.
“She did a track at Joburg Day, for example. She was very brave and said no one else is coming with me. I am doing it alone. But after that… She got sad because she missed her dad at that moment.”
Tony also shared some memories of him and Kiernan supporting their favourite football team, Manchester United.
“Man United was our other big passion. Early memories we spent a lot of time, particularly on a Wednesday night when they were still in the Champions League.”
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Picture: Instagram/@tonydforbes
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
