Five celebrity deaths that shocked SA in 2023

1 December marks the start of the last month of the year 2023 and it has been an extremely difficult year for South Africans who have had all sorts of hardships thrown at them. Talking about load shedding, high-interest rates, and costly food items are just a few things that many have struggled with. 2023 also brought a long with it the deaths of beloved celebrities and prominent figures.

Here is a list of people we’ve lost this year.

Five celebrity deaths that shocked SA in 2023 Kiernan “AKA” Forbes

Kiernan “AKA” Forbes

In February this year, South African rapper AKA was shot and killed outside a Durban restaurant after dining with his friends.

The Composure hitmaker was visiting the KwaZulu-Natal city as part of his birthday tour and was set to perform at a local night club before an unknown hitman shot and killed both him and his former manager Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane.

Busi Lurayi

How To Ruin Christmas star Busi Lurayi was found dead at her Edenvale home on Sunday 10 July.

Busi was only 36 at the time of her passing. Her cause of death has not been disclosed, however, her lifeless body was reportedly discovered by her father Freddy Mokoena.

Derek Watts

Carte Blanche presenter Derek Watts lost his battle to cancer on 22 August this year.

The seasoned investigative journalist had previously opened up about getting diagnosed with skin cancer which later spread to his lungs.

Derek was 74 at the time of his passing.

Costa Titch

Almost exactly a month after the passing of AKA, another young rapper — Costantinos “Costa Titch” Tsobanoglou — lost his life.

The Big Flexa hitmaker shockingly passed on after collapsing while performing at Ultra Music Festival on 11 March this year.

His budding career was cut short at the age of 28.

Zoleka Mandela

Zolekka Mandela, the grandchild of SA struggle hero Nelson Mandela, passed on after battling cancer.

Before her passing, the local celebrity and author shared her fears about leaving behind her four children.

She was laid to rest on Friday 29 September at the age of 43.