The death of Anele Tembe, the fiancée of SA rapper AKA, has thrown suicide back in the spotlight, as many on social media are conversing about mental health.
According to EWN, the death of Tembe, who fell from the tenth floor of the Pepper Club Hotel in Cape Town on Sunday, was being treated as a suicide.
The report quoted the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) as saying: “We hear more and more about it as it hit the press and social media.”
SADAG said call volumes to its helpline had remained at an all-time high over the past year, adding that on average, the country reported 23 suicides a day, while at least 460 people attempted to take their lives.
IOL reported on Monday that a guard at the hotel where the incident happened heard a scream that was followed shortly by a loud thud at around 7.30am on Sunday.
At first he thought it was a car crash and when he went to look, there was nothing.
“… then someone shouted that there was someone lying on the street. We went closer and saw a naked young woman, she was still breathing at the time,” the guard was quoted as saying.
Paramedics confirmed that Tembe allegedly jumped from the tenth floor of the hotel.
Many expressed their views on social media.
Sometimes I don’t particularly like to comment on deaths, especially whilst it’s still fresh. Kana that’s someone’s child/sibling/friend… yoh ??my heart goes out to Anele Tembe’s family and her fiancé Mr. Forbes. I for one know the pain of losing someone to suicide hey!
— ??: ???? ????? ???? ????? ? (@Kvlvngv_cess22) April 12, 2021
About 4 years ago before I began my anti-depressant treatment, I called the number and it never went through. I was sitting on line waiting for someone to take my call and it never happened. The following day I tried to commit suicide ?#RIPNellie | Anele Tembe https://t.co/FphKXoTu6w
— Ayanda Gumede (@ayanda_gumz) April 12, 2021
In all honesty how did everyone come to the conclusion that Anele Tembe was suffering from depression? Not everyone who fell from high rise buildings had depression or committed suicide had a history of depression.
I’m just curious as to what happened moments before the fall. pic.twitter.com/DFChfHm8kv
— HYPE HONCHO (@HypeHoncho) April 12, 2021
PICTURE: Cape Town etc gallery