DJ Zinhle Says She Wasn’t Prepared to Raise a Grieving Child

South African DJ and businesswoman DJ Zinhle has opened up about one of the most difficult chapters of her life, revealing that nothing could have prepared her for the responsibility of raising a grieving child after the death of Kiernan Forbes, famously known as AKA.

Speaking candidly on the L-Tido Podcast with L-Tido, DJ Zinhle reflected on different aspects of her life, from her upbringing to how she started her successful DJ career. However, one of the most emotional moments of the conversation came when she spoke about the impact AKA’s passing had on their family, particularly on their daughter, Kairo.

South African rapper AKA died on February 10, 2023, at the age of 35, leaving behind loved ones who had to navigate life without him.

Looking back on that painful period, DJ Zinhle admitted that she never imagined she would one day have to help her daughter process such a heartbreaking loss.

“Oh, bad. It’s bad for everyone. It was so unexpected. Personally for me, I don’t think I was prepared to raise a grieving child. By the time Kiernan passed, I had already moved on and was building my life with Bongnai. They had mutual respect, which I now appreciate because had we all been stuck fighting it would have been weird. Everyone was manoeuvring and building their life to make sure that Kairo is okay,” she said.

She also spoke about how close she remains to the Forbes family, explaining that the bond has continued despite the changes in her own life.

DJ Zinhle also addressed criticism she has received on social media whenever she speaks about AKA or is around his family. According to her, many people have questioned whether doing so is disrespectful to her husband, Bongani Mohosana, popularly known as Murdah Bongz.

“I know people have questioned my marriage with Bongani and it’s like I’m disrespecting him as my husband in whatever I’m doing. Nothing that I’m doing and I feel like a lot of us are doing is because we’re doing it for ourselves,  its really just to make sure that Kairo is okay,” she said.

The award-winning DJ explained that she has also faced questions about why she continues to maintain a close relationship with AKA’s family, with some suggesting that it is disrespectful to her husband’s family. However, she made it clear that every decision she makes is centred on giving Kairo stability and peace.

“I want Kairo to feel like everything is normal and I value peace a lot. I will always make a decision from a place of peace and peace is at the centre and my child is at the center..”

She also praised Murdah Bongz for the role he has played in their blended family, saying his understanding and support have made a significant difference during a challenging time.

“It gets tough for me when it seem like I’m disrespecting my husband which I’m not. I uphold that guys name to the highest level. I respect that guy so much because of his role in Kairo’s. Life. I do know that I couldn’t have chosen a better partner because of the responsibilities in our lives.”

Through her heartfelt reflections, DJ Zinhle shared the reality of navigating grief as a parent while trying to ensure that her daughter continues to feel loved, supported and surrounded by family. Her message highlighted that, above everything else, Kairo’s wellbeing remains at the heart of every decision she makes.