Anele Tembe was a young and talented woman passionate about cooking, fashion, and entrepreneurship.
She was also known as the fiancée of the late South African rapper AKA, who died in a tragic shooting in 2023.
Anele Tembe’s life was cut short in 2021 when she fell from the 10th floor of a hotel in Cape Town, in a case that sparked controversy and speculation.
This is the story of her life, career, and legacy.
Profile
- Full name: Anele Tembe
- Date of birth: October 11, 1999
- Age: 22 years old (at the time of her death)
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Durban, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Profession: Model, chef, social media influencer, entrepreneur
- Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
- Parents: Moses Tembe (father) and Nelli Tembe (mother)
- Siblings: N/A
- Spouse: N/A
- Children: N/A
- Relationship status: Engaged (to AKA)
- Net worth: $600k
Early Life & Education
Anele Tembe, who would have turned 24 in 2023, was born on October 11, 1999, in Durban, South Africa.
She was the only child of Moses Tembe and Nelli Tembe, who were both successful and influential in their respective fields.
Moses Tembe was a prominent businessman and philanthropist who owned several hotels, restaurants, and properties in South Africa. Nelli Tembe was a homemaker who devoted her time and energy to raising and supporting her daughter.
Anele Tembe grew up in a wealthy and privileged family but was not spoiled or arrogant. She was humble, respectful, and generous, according to her friends and relatives.
She attended some of the best schools in Durban, where she excelled academically and socially. She was also interested in extracurricular activities like music, dance, and sports.
Anele Tembe had a passion for cooking and fashion from a young age. She loved experimenting with different cuisines and styles and often shared her creations on her social media accounts.
After finishing high school, she decided to pursue her culinary dreams and enrolled at the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal.
She completed her chef training in 2019 and graduated with honours and accolades.
Personal Life
Anele Tembe’s personal life was marked by her romantic relationship with Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, better known as AKA, one of the most famous and successful rappers in South Africa.
They met in 2020, and they fell in love quickly. They became one of the country’s most popular and admired celebrity couples, and they often posted pictures and videos of their happy moments on their social media accounts.
They got engaged on February 21, 2021, and announced the news to their fans and followers. They planned to get married later that year and were looking forward to starting a family together.
However, their relationship was not without challenges and difficulties. They faced rumours and allegations of infidelity, violence, and substance abuse, which they denied and dismissed.
Anele Tembe died on April 11, 2021, after falling from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town, where she and AKA were staying.
The cause of her death was ruled as suicide by the authorities, but her family disputed this and accused AKA of being abusive and violent towards her.
They claimed that AKA had assaulted and injured Anele Tembe several times and that he had influenced her to use drugs and alcohol.
They also alleged that Anele Tembe had tried to escape from AKA on the night of her death and that he had pushed her off the balcony.
AKA denied these accusations, and he maintained that he loved Anele Tembe and that he was devastated by her death.
He said that he had tried to help her with her mental health issues and that he had never harmed her physically or emotionally. He also said that he had no involvement in her death and that he was cooperating with the police investigation.
AKA died on February 10, 2023, after being shot outside a restaurant in Durban. The motive and the suspects of his murder are still unknown.
His death shocked and saddened his fans and colleagues, who paid tribute to his music and legacy. His death also reignited the controversy and speculation surrounding Anele Tembe’s death, and some people wondered if there was a connection between the two incidents.
Career
Anele Tembe had a promising and diverse career showcasing her talents and skills in various fields. She was a model, a chef, a social media influencer, and an entrepreneur.
As a model, she worked with various local brands and AKA’s clothing line. She had a stunning and unique look, which made her stand out from the crowd.
She was also confident and charismatic, which made her a natural in front of the camera. She had plans to expand her modelling career internationally, and she had received offers from some of the top agencies in the world.
As a chef, she had a passion and a flair for cooking. She specialized in fusion cuisine, which blended different flavours and ingredients from various cultures and regions.
She had worked as a sous chef at some of the finest restaurants in South Africa and catered for some of the most prestigious events and parties in the country. She had aspirations to open her restaurant someday and had already designed the menu and concept.
As a social media influencer, she had a large and loyal following on Instagram and Twitter, where she posted about her life, career, and interests.
She has over 500,000 followers on Instagram and over 200,000 followers on Twitter. She also had a YouTube channel, where she uploaded videos of her cooking tutorials, fashion tips, and travel vlogs.
She had a friendly and engaging personality, which made her relatable and likeable to her audience. She also used her platform to raise awareness and support for various causes, such as education, health, and women’s empowerment.
As an entrepreneur, she had a vision and a drive for business. She had launched her beauty line, called Anele Cosmetics, which featured a range of products, such as lipsticks, eyeshadows, and foundations.
Net Worth
Anele Tembe had an estimated net worth of $600k, which she earned from her various sources of income.
Death
Anele Tembe died on April 11, 2021, at the age of 22, after falling from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in Cape Town, where she and AKA were staying.
She was pronounced dead at the scene, and her body was taken to the mortuary for an autopsy.
The police launched an investigation into her death, and they ruled it as suicide based on the evidence and the witnesses.
They said that there was no foul play or criminal activity involved and that Anele Tembe had jumped off the balcony voluntarily.
However, her family and friends did not accept this verdict, and they claimed that Anele Tembe had been murdered by AKA, who had abused and manipulated her throughout their relationship.
They said that Anele Tembe had been unhappy and depressed and that she had tried to leave AKA several times, but he had threatened and coerced her to stay with him.
They also said that AKA had forced her to use drugs and alcohol, which had affected her mental and physical health. They demanded justice and accountability for Anele Tembe and hired a private investigator and a lawyer to prove their case.
AKA, on the other hand, denied these allegations, and he said that he was innocent and heartbroken by Anele Tembe’s death.
He said that he had loved her, that he had tried to help her with her mental health issues, and that he had never harmed her physically or emotionally.
He also said that he had no involvement in her death and that he was cooperating with the police investigation. He asked for privacy and respect, and he said that he was grieving and mourning for Anele Tembe.
Anele Tembe’s funeral was held on April 16, 2021, at the Durban International Convention Centre. It was attended by her family, friends, and celebrities, who paid their respects and condolences.
Anele Tembe’s father, Moses Tembe, delivered a eulogy in which he praised his daughter’s achievements and character, and he also spoke out against the rumours and accusations surrounding her death.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: N/A
- Twitter handle: N/A
