‘The comments are so cruel’: DJ on being dragged into Nelli Tembe’s death

The first episode of DJ Zinhle: Unexpected which aired last night (18 September) on BET Africa, dived into how DJ Zinhle felt when she was dragged into Nelli Tembe’s death. 

DJ ZINHLE ON NELLI TEMBE’S DEATH

South African DJ and businesswoman Ntombezinhle Jiyane, popularly known by her stage name DJ Zinhle got emotional in the first episode of her much anticipated reality series. The businesswoman is notoriously private so her reality series is a rare opportunity for fans to take a look at her personal life. At the time the episode was shot, the DJ was pregnant with her second child, Asante Mohosana with Murdah Bongz. 

She also has a six-year-old daughter with rapper Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, popularly known by his stage name AKA named Kairo Forbes. DJ Zinhle explained that because she is the mother of AKA’s child, she got dragged into the death of his late fiancée Nelli Tembe. Nelli Tembe plunged to her death from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel while on vacation in Cape Town with AKA on 11 April. 

ALSO READ: Did AKA’s tell-all interview clear his name in the Nelli Tembe investigation?

DJ ZINHLE POPPING UP ON AKA’S TRIBUTE TO NELLI

DJ Zinhle gets emotional in a scene where she is sitting on her couch confiding to her friend Nomuzi “Moozlie” Mabena, who features heavily in the reality series. The Umlilo hitmaker was upset because a picture of her popped up on AKA’s tribute video to Nelli Tembe at her memorial, in April. DJ Zinhle explained that this had nothing to do with her and she was concerned for both AKA and the Tembe family as they lost someone they loved. 

“This is something that is happening in Kiernan’s life but because Kiernan and I have a child together, it ends up affecting me. Kiernan has lost someone he loves and now people are making it about me,” said Zinhle.

Moozile then jumped in saying that she is dragged into the drama because AKA cannot do anything without her being involved.

“Kiernan can’t do anything without you being involved.,” said Moozlie. 

“In my view right now, there are people that are going through worse with the situation… but it’s just also a bit tough when the comments are so cruel,” continued Zinhle.

She went on to explain that the comments made by Tweeps are “so cruel” which affected her at the time considering that she was pregnant. She added that it is not her situation to be hurt over.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIRST EPISODE 

• DJ Zinhle also revealed that her romance with boyfriend Murdah Bongz began when he slid in her Direct Messages (DM). The pair reportedly welcomed their baby girl Asante to the world on Wednesday 8 September. 
• AKA’s mom Lynn “Glammy” Forbes is also featured in the series. In a teaser for next week’s episode, DJ Zinhle is going to tell her friend, actress Pearl Thusi about her pregnancy.
• The DJ also revealed that she respects AKA’s decision on whether Kairo Forbes should be featured in the show, as it could go either way with him.