As the number of coronavirus infections continue to increase in South Africa, popular musician AKA is the latest celebrity to reveal he’s tested positive for the virus.
The Cross My Heart rapper posted a statement to his social media pages revealing the news.
“Multi award-winning South African musician, AKA, has tested positive for the novel COVID-19 virus. In an attempt to create awareness around the virus and to caution citizens to be more careful in their daily interactions with others, AKA has chosen to make his results public,” the statement started.
The rapper urged fans to take regulations seriously. “AKA pleads for everyone to adhere to social distancing guidelines, to wear masks and to hold stringent hygiene measures by frequently sanitizing and washing [y]our hands.”
Stay Safe. ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/qGls3wfRkc
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 10, 2020
In a series of tweets following his statement, AKA listed some of the symptoms that led him to go get tested. “As soon as you feel that cough coming on, that headache . . . weakness in your muscles. Chills at night. Trust me. GO TEST ASAP. There’s places where they do the swab at the back of your throat, not that insane up your nose one. Do it so you can know what you dealing with,” he wrote.
As soon as you feel that cough coming on, that headache ... weakness in your muscles. Chills at night. Trust me. GO TEST ASAP. There’s places where they do the swab at the back of your throat, not that insane up your nose one. Do it so you can know what you dealing with.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 10, 2020
Many of his fans wished him a speedy recovery but others refused to believe the news, accusing the rapper of having been paid by the government to promote testing for the virus.
How much did they pay you?
— Eric D'Louxz (@DeLouxz) July 10, 2020
You test positive, premier of North West tests positive, premier of Western Cape tests positive, premier of gauteng tests positive - good rythym pic.twitter.com/puKaXT8Kji
— Nomakanjane (@Nomakanjanism) July 10, 2020
Mara this is definitely a Promo yazi... Like you telling us the things we know. Aiii ngeke ????????... Either way speedy recovery my brother. pic.twitter.com/1mL6Gwl1kK
— Cellular ? (@robzinterris) July 10, 2020
Addressing those who chose not to believe him, AKA warned people to take the virus seriously as it has led to many deaths. “Lots of jokes flying around in my mentions . . . that’s okay. Just remember that people are actually DYING. As in, DEAD . . . never coming back again from this thing,” he wrote.
Lots of jokes flying around in my mentions ... that’s okay. Just remember that people are actually DYING. As in, DEAD ... never coming back again from this thing.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 10, 2020
“South Africa better wake the f**k up quick . . . all that jokey jokey stuff is gonna kill you,” he said.
South Africa better wake the fuck up quick ... all that jokey jokey stuff is gonna kill you.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 10, 2020
He also said the virus was being stigmatised.
“I’m looking forward to de stigmatizing this whole thing. It seems like people only sit up and pay attention when it happens to public figures or those close to them. Unfortunately at some point, we are ALL going to catch it [sic],” he wrote.
I’m looking forward to de stigmatizing this whole thing. It seems like people only sit up and pay attention when it happens to public figures or those close to them. Unfortunately at some point, we are ALL going to catch it.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 10, 2020
Read More: Local celebs who’ve tested positive for Covid-19
AKA is not the first local public figure to be infected by the virus, he joins industry peers TT Mbha, Brian Temba and Rosie Motene, amongst others, who’ve tested positive for the virus.
