Nelli Tembe’s dad doesn't believe suicide claims
The father says his daughter "was neither suicidal nor did she commit suicide."
Anele 'Nelli' Tembe's father, Moses Tembe, has hinted that substance abuse could have played a part in her death.
Family and friends gathered in Durban on Friday to bid a final farewell to the 22-year-old after she fell to her death from the 10th floor of a hotel building.
Nelli's fiancé AKA, and several members of his family, were also in attendance.
Many believed Nelli's death was being treated as a suicide, but her father says he does not believe that she killed herself.
He said she "loved herself so much".
"As Anele's father, I hereby state categorically that Anele was neither suicidal nor did she commit suicide," a tribute by her parents stated.
Family friend, Sandile Zungu, read out the tribute at the funeral.
Moses also alluded to the fact that substance abuse was to blame.
"We must of course deal with the scourge that bedevils our youth - alcohol, which is overused, and drugs. Fellow South Africans we better wake up and smell the coffee. We have a serious problem with substance abuse.”
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EARLIER: Family friend Sandile Zungu chokes up as he reads a tribute from Anele Tembe’s parents. Her dad, Moses, categorically states she did not die of suicide. #RIPNellie pic.twitter.com/5ZMG7qQGNO
— Nokukhanya Mntambo (@khanya_mntambo) April 16, 2021
Didn’t know this young soul but it’s so sad and depressing to watch her send off. Loosing a partner, sister a daughter and friend is nothing but heart piercing. Lala kahle Anele Tembe 😓 pic.twitter.com/IsasOlWG4K
— JleeRoger (@Roger_Letsoalo) April 16, 2021
There was mixed reaction to Nelli's father's tribute. Some Twitter users believed he was downplaying mental health.
"Anele tembe's funeral is making me realize that our parents really don't know us! They don't," one Twitter user wrote.
Anele tembe's funeral is making me realize that our parents really don't know us! They don't.
— Ntandoyenkosi Ngonyama (@NtandoyenkosiP7) April 16, 2021
Another user added: "My interpretation is that Anele Tembe's father is hurt, he is standing before us speaking at his daughter's funeral. That is a painful experience, no parent should have to bury their child. He acknowledges that the public has been speculating and pushing their own narratives."
and is basically saying "please stop speculating, I know my daughter" and this is what I know of her. He also mentions how he doesn't blame anyone but insinuates that Anele made some bad choices and substance abuse is to blame for her death. He advises the youth to not go down
— Khuli Ngcobo (@KhuliN_) April 16, 2021
Some Twitter users also came to Moses' defence.
"Not twitter knowing Anele Tembe better than Anele's father."
Here's a look at what others had to say.
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Not twitter knowing Anele Tembe better than Anele's father.
— Thando Clementine (@ThandoClementyn) April 16, 2021
So Anele Tembe's dad is alluding to substance abuse. He knows his daughter best angeke siphikise but I hope he understands that depression and substance abuse can co-exist which can lead to suicide as well.
— Mangutyana ❤ (@Nampree) April 16, 2021
They want Anele Tembe's death to be a suicide so badly that they're already discrediting her own father, citing how he didn't know his own daughter...
— Tumelo Yarona (@DjNewAfrica) April 16, 2021
Who's paying them?
Maybe Anele Tembe’s father isnt blaming AKA, but hes just against the lifestyle he and Anele were living. Entertainment highly associated with drugs and alcohol. And also, Anele was a baby ku AKA. Probably wasnt happy with the age difference but had to be happy for his daughter
— T H E M B I S I L E 🌺!! (@Leighthembisile) April 16, 2021
Key lesson from the death of Anele Tembe:
— Tumelo Yarona (@DjNewAfrica) April 16, 2021
The youth downplays our drug problem the same way our parents downplay depression.
Nelli's father also talked about her relationship with AKA. He said he was happy for his daughter, but suggested that the couple attend premarital counselling.
“I knew Kiernan loved my daughter, but their enduring companionship needed more than love. It had to be premised and embedded on a Godly foundation.”
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I can only imagine what AKA is going through 💔💔
— Dwa Nation ❤️ (@PreshMoloi24) April 16, 2021
RIP Anele Tembe pic.twitter.com/JSihdTMJ0w