AKA: focus on gun violence in SA
Continued shootings directed at celebrities sparks conversation on rampant crime
THE gruesome death of Kiernan Forbes, who was affectionately known as AKA, has sparked a conversation on gun violence that is growing to be rampant in South Africa.
Forbes was 35 years old when he was shot dead outside a popular Durban restaurant, Wish, while saying his goodbyes to friends.
The news of his death was confirmed by his family hours after speculation had been swirling around social media, with many of his fans reeling in shock.
Gun violence has been on the rise in South Africa and has made headlines with a number of mass shootings in different parts of the country.
In November, Police Minister Bheki Cele released the second quarter crime statistics for 2022/23.
During the latest release of the crime statistics, Major-General Norman Sekhukhune said murder increased by 13.6% to 7 004 and was the highest in the Eastern Cape, followed by KZN, the Western Cape and Gauteng.
July was the worst month during the three-month period, with 28 565 recorded serious crimes, compared with 12 596 recorded in August and 10 830 in September.
Speaking to IOL earlier this year, anti-firearm advocacy group Gun Free SA said it believed the country was experiencing a gun violence epidemic.
To reduce deaths as a result of firearms, the circulation of firearms must be reduced, it said.
“The biggest source of illegal guns in South Africa are legal guns owned by civilians, which includes the private security industry.
“Legal guns and the main supply of illegal guns are flooding into this country.
“Gun dealers have reported an increase in the demand for guns and ammunition, particularly after the July 2021 unrest,” the group said.
Mary de Haas of the KwaZuluNatal Violence Monitor also previously stated that almost all illegal firearms were legal before they were leaked into the “illegal pool”.
This happened via loss and theft, fraud, corruption, poor law enforcement, cross-border trafficking and conflict guns, she said.
“There are historic stockpiles, guns coming over the border, and far too many going missing from the police and the military – not to mention in the hands of dubious security companies,” De Haas was reported as saying.
While illegal firearms continue to circulate, innocent lives are taken daily.
The Forbes family requested privacy as they grieved their tragic loss. “In this time of grief, we appeal for your compassion, space and time to congregate as a family to decide on the upcoming days. We thank you for the love and support we have received thus far and ask you to continue to keep us in your prayers and uplifted in the Lord.”
A Wish restaurant spokesperson said they were co-operating with the SAPS and had handed over surveillance footage from the evening in question, adding: “We are awaiting further communication from the SAPS and the investigation officer working on the case. We would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to both the Forbes and Motsoane families, and as such, we will remain closed until further notice.”
The pair’s deaths come shortly after those of other well-known stars such as DJ Sumbody and Vusi Ma R5, who were also gunned down by unknown assailants while in pursuit of their performances.
The continued shootings of celebrities have commanded public attention, calling into question safety and prevalence of gun violence in South Africa, which appears to be out of control.
The list of celebrities who have been brutally murdered without a trace or apprehension of their perpetrators has become the norm, which has raised concerns.
Supa Mega, as Forbes was affectionately known, boasted a stunning repertoire of music that his fans will remember him for.
Not only did he have numerous accolades under his belt, but AKA went beyond South African borders, building his brand with giants such as Nigeria’s Burna Boy. |
RECENTLY, Showmax shared a trailer of its latest sexually-charged show, Sex and Pleasure. The adults-only documentary is set to debut on March 8.
The 90-second trailer opens with Lesego Tlhabi, aka Coconut Kelz, seated in a living room and sharing some thoughts on the subject matter of the new Showmax Original, which carries a PG18 SNL.
“Everyone has sex,” she said. “Even your most conservative grandmother had eight kids. So let’s talk about it.”
The trailer also sees OnlyFans creators, exotic dancers and couples discussing their sexual habits.
The trailer features familiar faces, like actor Siv Ngesi and Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux, who’s a disability and women’s rights activist. The trailer also advocates for more sex as the secret to long life.
Last year, the streamer launched a show, Sex in Afrikaans, which was one of the 10 most streamed titles on Showmax in South Africa.
But, given these “it’s clearly not just Afrikaners who like to pomp”, as a press release from the channel put it, they found the need to expand with a new show.
In the words of @lesego_thabi, “everyone has sex, so let’s talk about it,” Showmax shared on Instagram. “#SexAndPleasureShowmax is coming soon to Showmax.”
Writer Kim Windvogel, who co-wrote and conceptualised the show alongside journalist Romantha Botha, explains: “I’m a sex positive, curious queer who works in the sexual and reproductive health and rights space. That’s just feminist talk for believing that people should have access to sexual health information and services.”
Botha added: “We made this doccie series because we really wanted to know how South Africans, from various intersections, experience and explore sex in their everyday lives.”
Safta-winning production company IdeaCandy, which was also behind the popular shows Steinheist and Devilsdorp, is producing the eightpart series, which is directed by Ayanda Duma and includes playful motion graphics by Mbali Hlatshwayo.
“The aim is to invite the whole country, from conservative to highly liberal, to take part in an adult conversation that hasn’t been possible until now,” said Duma.
Episode one of the series is set to explore sex work “in all its forms” and yes, that includes slay queens, according to some of the people being interviewed.
Among others, look out for author Jackie Phamotse; public attorney Sanja Bornman; Moonlight, a Master’s graduate who founded a phone sex academy; and dominatrix Mistress Cleo, the owner of Fetish Haven, self-described as “the ultimate kink venue”, which she runs with her son.
Interviewees discuss talking dirty in Zulu, race play and age play, Christmas-themed porn, family reactions and the power dynamics of sex work.
They also ask why, if doing the horizontal tango is about giving and receiving, the transactional nature of sex remains a crime in South Africa?
Each subsequent episode will also explore sex in relation to various topics: parenting, love, drugs, orgasm, disability, age and spirituality.