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If you spent years singing the lyrics to AKA’s song Sim Dope with no knowledge that Sim Dope was, in fact, a real person, then you can join the club because you are definitely not alone.
Fans of the superstar Kiernan AKA Forbes were stunned to find out that the song Sim Dope was actually a heartfelt dedication to AKA’s longtime friend Simphiwe "Sim Dope" Gumede.
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As presenter and influencer Sizwe Dhlomo finished his eulogy at AKA’s memorial service on Friday, he introduced the man behind the song, Sim Dope. While Dhlomo walked off the stage, the popular song started playing in the background of the packed hall and fans and family began to sing the lyrics. A surprise guest began walking across the stage and the country finally saw the face of the man who inspired the song.
Gumede gave a heartfelt farewell to his dear friend, AKA, telling guests about their blissful childhood and days spent playing soccer in AKA's backyard.
The legend of Sim Dope goes way back, according to Gumede, all the way back to their days in high school.
During his speech, Gumede spoke highly of their time in school. He recalled the story of how he came to be Sim Dope, saying:
"We get to Grade 10 and I make the first [rugby] team, and now, it’s like a big deal for everyone. For me and him, it was just, boy, no picking up the dirt after the game. He says to me 'Sim, now you’re a boet at school. We laughed and then he said to me:
And the rest became history. The thoughtless nickname would eventually become a song immortalising Gumede more than a decade later.
Although Gumede isn’t in the entertainment industry, this fairly unknown part of AKA’s life played a big role in the artist we knew and loved.
The story of how they met is as fascinating as their friendship. During his emotional eulogy, Gumede revealed that when he first heard AKA’s name, he thought he was a rich, white guy.
READ: Have you heard Burna Boy's eerie tribute to AKA?
"The first guy I ever met was him at St Johns [College]. He came from Cape Town and here I was coming from Nelspruit. It was so surreal. We were at assembly, and it was Forbes then Gumede and I was just thinking, who’s this Forbes dude? And obviously, I was looking for some white, rich guy and here comes this tall, coloured guy. Our first class was Afrikaans. We get into the class, the teachers walk us in and they say everybody, greet each other in Afrikaans. But Kiernan doesn’t know Afrikaans well and I definitely don’t know Afrikaans," he said as the crowd laughed.
Rich kids move differently.Sim Dope had a song about him..a big song at that but he never even tried to let the world know he is thee Sim Dope..
— Tsholanang (@TsholanangDD) February 17, 2023
We saw Sim Dope, Da Les should bring out Shibabadu shibadu.
— alldat.funk- (@B1Daredevilz) February 17, 2023
While Sim Dope may seem like a man of mystery, he is actually the son of business mogul and billionaire Robert Gumede. Gumede is one of the richest men in South Africa with a net worth that stands at a whopping R2.8 to R3billion. He came to prominence during the early '80s and '90s when he became the youngest owner of a PSL club. Gumede also served on the world football governing body Fifa’s Foundation advisory board in 2022.
READ: Business mogul Robert Gumede joins Fifa
For most, AKA was a multi-award-winning rapper with just enough crazy to make him a musical genius. For Simphiwe Gumede, AKA was a close friend and a cherished companion.
