Man who was gunned down alongside rapper AKA identified as his lifelong friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane

Social media users are still wrapping their heads around AKA’s unexpected death as new information keeps emerging.

AKA’s death has brought the country to a standstill, and South Africans are trying to piece together the circumstances around his murder.

The fatal shooting that claimed the life of celebrated rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes also claimed the life of AKA’s lifelong friend and celebrity author Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane.

Tebello was standing outside Wish Restaurant with AKA and others when gunmen in two cars opened fire, killing both men and injuring another man said to be AKA’s bodyguard.

In a statement, SAPS confirmed that a 35-year-old male and another male had been shot dead on Friday night. While the identity of the second man was initially unknown, it has since been confirmed as Motsoane.

Tebello managed AKA many years ago before deciding on a new career path and becoming a chef and starting a clothing brand.

The duo and others had flown into Durban on Friday, Feb 10th to celebrate AKA’s 35th birthday and perform at a club when the tragic incident happened.

May their souls rest in peace.

Born in Katlegong, a township 35km east of Johannesburg, the brand strategist and The Colour of Wine: Tasting Change’ author had always been an ambassador for good food and good wine.

In an interview with Sunday Times, Motsoane opened up about his love for food and good wine. An extract from the book by Motsoane, made it clear that he set out to break stereotypes about black people, luxury lifestyle and fine dining.

“The Colour of Wine: Tasting Change’ is not a handy guide to the best wine-tasting places to visit when you are holidaying in the Cape. Those books do exist aplenty and are available if you need them. This is, rather, a beautiful keepsake about the story of how wine has transformed in SA since democracy.

“Together with an array of local recipes as well as insights from wine doyen John Platter, ‘The Colour of Wine’ traces the personal stories of black winemakers, chefs, sommeliers, drinkers and connoisseurs, showing how something as fundamental and earthy as wine becomes a taste of what our new world could be.”

Tributes are pouring in from fans on social media as most are waking up to the terrible news that AKA was shot on Friday night.

Some mentioned Tebello’s massive contribution to AKA’s musical career and cultural influence in the hip-hop scene.