The funeral service for Anele “Nelli” Thembe was held on Friday at the Durban International Conference Centre. The young woman’s father is responding against suicide rumours.
Anele was engaged to SA rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and was found dead after having allegedly jumped from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town.
According to IOL, Sandile Zungu read a letter from Anele’s father, Moses, during the funeral service. Moses addressed the narratives that his daughter was suicidal, emphasising that this was not the case.
“As Anele’s father, I hereby state categorically that Anele was neither suicidal nor did she commit suicide.”
He went on to state that until Anele was 21 she would never have considered taking her own life.
“Anele wouldn’t consider taking her own life as a solution. Not a single member of our family, Anele’s family, would have ever associated her with suicide.”
According to Moses, Anele loved herself too much and wanted to “live more rather than less.” He also described his daughter as a woman who was “feisty” and “strong-willed,” and someone who gave her absolute best to those around her.
According to News24, the couple were meant to attend counselling the weekend of Anele’s alleged suicide.
“ I was determined to assist both of them in conquering their challenges, some of which I knew about,” Moses said.
During the service Moses went on to address the rapper AKA directly, stating:
“Kiernan, I think I know what you are going through, I know the pain that you are feeling. In the face of extreme emotional pain, men and women resort to all kinds of remedies. My son, I invite you to turn to the Lord and in so doing, you will become a much better man.”
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