The murdered rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes’ request for a state funeral has been rejected by South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.
AKA was one of the few famous people who actively opposed xenophobic attacks in the nation while he was still living and had the best interests of the nation at heart.
In light of this, Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of Gauteng, wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa to ask for permission to hold a state funeral for him.
“We want him to be buried in a secluded venue with leaders and heroes of the society and provide him with security support. We felt a person of this international stature there must be some form of honour,” he said.
Speaking to the media, he explained that the authorisation was given so that the rapper may be honoured in an unusual way rather than having the state pay for his funeral.
He wanted the American flag to be draped over AKA’s coffin and for the state flags to be flown at half-staff.
But, for as-yet-undisclosed reasons, their plea was denied.
AKA’s funeral will take place the following day, February 18, 2023, after a public memorial service on Friday, February 17, 2023.
A week after his murder, AKA’s burial would be live-streamed on his social media accounts.
