In a deeply moving TikTok interview with influencer Romeo Black, Thando Mokoena, daughter of actress and DJ Pearl Thusi, opened up about the special relationship she shared with late rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes.
“I would bring back my uncle Kiernan if I could bring anyone back to life,” she confessed, her voice tinged with both admiration and sorrow.
A Bond Beyond Friendship
Thando described her bond with AKA as more than just an uncle-niece relationship. “My uncle Kiernan taught me a lot about religion and respect. He was another type of father figure that I needed in my life,” she said. Unlike typical fun uncles, AKA was serious with her, guiding her with care and discipline.
The rapper’s tragic assassination in Durban on February 10, 2023, alongside his chef friend Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, left a void in Thando’s life. Reflecting on what was lost, she added, “He needed to make more music; he had a lot more plans to execute and a lot more things to do in life, I feel.”
When asked what she would say to him now, she admitted with raw honesty: “I appreciate them… I don’t think I showed appreciation enough when they were still here, and it is something I still have to deal with to this day.”
@romeoblackza In this public interview , Thando tells me about her uncles that she’d love to see again #publicinterviews #publicinterview ♬ Repeat Until Death – Novo Amor
Growing Up as the Oldest Child
Thando also shared insights about her upbringing as Pearl Thusi’s eldest child, contrasting her experience with that of her younger sister, Okuhle. “If you’re the oldest, you understand… You feel like your parents are cheating you in certain ways. You weren’t allowed to do things, but your younger sibling was. It feels unfair.”
She added that parenting is a learning curve. “Children are different, so you have to be able to realise that, even when you’re in a fight with them. Try to have healthy communication with your parents.”
@romeoblackza In this public interview , Thando let’s me in on how you can’t dwell on your feelings for too long. #streetinterview #publicinterviews #publicinterview ♬ Repeat Until Death – Novo Amor
Lessons for the Future
Thando expressed her approach to future parenting, emphasizing the importance of letting children learn from mistakes. “Parents try to stop you from making the mistakes they made, but you don’t understand until it’s done. I’d let them make their own mistakes, but they also wouldn’t want their kids to go through what they went through.”
@romeoblackza Thando tells me she’s in her first public relationship in this public interview #publicinterviews #publicinterview ♬ Gentle Soul – softy & Kaspa.
Opening Up About Feelings
In another candid moment during the interview, Thando admitted the difficulty she faces in discussing emotions. “I don’t know how to talk about my feelings at all… It’s human nature to suppress them and keep going. You can’t dwell on your feelings; you have to go to work.”
A First Public Relationship
For the first time, Thando also revealed that she is in a public relationship. “I’m not someone who loves being in front of the camera. It’s hard. I don’t know where the boundary is with posting my relationship. It’s my private life, and I don’t want people using that against me.”
Thando’s reflections offer a rare and intimate glimpse into the life of a young woman navigating loss, family, and love under the public eye, all while honoring the memory of one of South Africa’s most beloved artists.
{Source: IOL}
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