Back in February, Twitter users were shocked when they found out that “Sim Dope” was a real person. Simphiwe Gumede was introduced to the Megacy at the memorial service for late rapper AKA held at the Sandton Convention Centre in February. Here’s five things to know about the man that may have just been AKA’s childhood best friend, Sim Dope.

 

AKA was shot dead outside of Wish restaurant on Florida Road, Durban on 10 February.AKA gave Gumede the nickname Sim Dope when they were in school and then dedicated a song to him. The rapper bagged four awards at the Metro FM Music Awards (MMAs) held on 6 May. His parents Lynn and Tony Forbes along with his daughter Kairo accepted his awards on his behalf and there after took it to his grave.

Sim Dope appeared to have also joined the Forbes family to celebrate AKA’s big win. Take a look…

So, who is Sim Dope?1. AKA GAVE HIM THE NICKNAME ‘SIM DOPE’
While delivering a speech at AKA’s memorial service, he revealed that the rapper had given him the nickname. Sim Dope explained that when he joined the rugby team at their school, AKA told him that he needed a nickname.

“Now that you are a ‘boet’ you can’t be going on a Saturday and be known as Simphiwe, I mean that’s not dangerous,” he said.

He then said that he told the rapper that he was the “lover boy” writing love letters so he should come up with the nickname… and he did! That’s when “Sim Dope 11” was born.

2. SIM DOPE INSPIRED AN AKA SONG?
Gumede revealed that AKA told him his life is about to change because he wrote a song about him and their life together.

“I wrote a song dawg… about you, and me, life and everything,” he quoted AKA as saying.

He went on to say that the rapper told him that he meant a lot to him. Take a look3. HE IS THE SON OF A BUSINESSMAN
Sim Dope is the son of businessman Robert Gumede. Robert is He is the founder of the IT firm Gijima Technologies and its holding company Gijima Group.

ALSO READ: Cassper addresses beef with AKA, says it was ‘exaggerated’

4. HE ATTENDED ST JOHNS COLLEGE WITH AKA
AKA met his longtime friend back in school when they attended St Johns college.

5. HE IS BELIEVED TO BE MARRIED
The son of Robert Gumede is believed to be married. However, he lives a private life so there is not much information on his marriage.