It already been nine months since the new year began and several South African celebrities have died since January. Here is a list of nine local celebs who have died in Mzansi in 2023…

1. AKA
On 10 February, South African rapper Kiernan Jarryd Forbes who was best known as AKA was shot and killed outside Wish restaurant in Durban, on Florida road by an unknown gunman. His murder came as a shock as his life was cut short in a successful plot to kill him.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by AKA (@akaworldwide)

died
Here is a list of none South African celebs who died this year. Image via Twitter @cemetarygirlz
2. TEBELLO ‘TIBZ’ MOTSOANE
Celebrity Chef, Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane was gunned down in Durban with his long-term friend, slain rapper AKA –real name Kiernan Jarryd Forbes.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tebello Motsoane (@tebello.motsoane)

ALSO READ: RIP: ‘Cultish’ collabs with AKA & Costa Titch with tribute garments

3. MARK PILGRIM
Mark Pilgrim passed on peacefully on Sunday, 5 March at his home after a distressing fight with stage four lung cancer. The veteran radio personality was initially diagnosed with cancer in 1998 and fought long and hard before he was finally laid to rest.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Mark Pilgrim (@markpilgrimza)

4. COSTA TITCH
Costa Titch—real name Costantinos Tsobanoglou suddenly died in front of a large crowd during his performance at the Ultra Music Festival in Johannesburg on 11 March. He was only 28 years old when he died and was suspected of having died due to an epileptic seizure which his mother does not believe to be the cause of his death.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by COSTA TITCH LEGACY | 🇿🇦 | (@costatitch)

5. ANGIE OEH
Afrikaans singer Angelique Greeff, best known as Angie Oeh was pronounced dead on 19 August just days after she revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer. She took her last breath at Life Wilgers Hospital in Pretoria around 17:24.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by angie (@angie_oeh)

6. DEREK WATSS
Veteran and seasoned journalist Derek Watts died at 74 years old surrounded by his loved ones. In 2022, he was diagnosed with skin cancer that rapidly spread to his lungs. He died on Tuesday, 22 August.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Derek Watts (@derekwatts1)

ALSO READ: RIP: ‘Carte Blanche’ and MNet pay tribute to the late Derek Watts

7. TERSIUS EATHON KOCKS
Season 12 Idols SA contestant, Tersius Eathon Kocks’ lifeless body was discovered in his house on Sunday, 27 August. The 35-year-old was said to have battled with mental health and depression, Sunday World reported.

8. BOTHA ROSSOUW
53-year-old, former Rugby player, Botha Rossouw died on 29 August due to a pulmonary embolism, Style You 7 reported. He

9. MBULELI MATHANGA
29-year-old athlete and 2023 Half Marathon champion, Mbuleli Mathanga was found hanging dead in his girlfriend’s room on 31 August in what is suspected to be a successful suicide.