Don Design paid his tribute to his late mother, Glenrose, whom he described as “a woman of grace, softness, style, and deep spirituality.” The matriarch was laid to rest on Sunday, 29 March, in Welkom.
DON DESIGN’S MOTHER LAID TO REST IN WELKOM
Don Design shared a series of photos from his mother’s funeral on Instagram, where fellow industry peers came out in full support for him.
Among those who showed up were award-winning musician Busiswa Gqulu, rapper-turned-podcaster L-Tido, musician Yanga Chief, and another artist, Max Hoba, just to mention a few.
In his caption, he thanked everyone who supported him and his family during this difficult period.
“Yesterday we laid my mother, Glenrose, to rest,” he began.
“A woman of grace, softness, style, and deep spirituality, her presence will live on in everything we do. Thank you to every friend, family member, and loved one who called, messaged, showed up, prayed, and stood with us during this time. Your love has carried us more than words can express,” he added.
“We are truly grateful. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” he concluded.
DON DESIGN: ‘THE CREATIVE CURATOR’
While many know him as the late AKA’s close friend, Don Design, real name Tshediso Mokoko, has established himself as a creative director and DJ among other disciplines.
AKA’s song Python from his 2020 Bhovamania EP featured Don Design, and he played a significant role in the late rapper’s career as his creative director
In 2016, SA Hip Hop Mag reported how he and AKA became close collaborators: “I met AKA about 4 years ago, he forgot his Yeezys at a hotel after a show, and I arranged to get them to him cos I knew how much they meant to him. We linked up shortly after that and kicked it,” said Don.
He continued, “our 1st collaboration was the Kontrol music video that Yanga directed. We did a few projects together from there on, like Run Jozi, All Eyes on Me, until he recently appointed me as his creative director.”
However, his character has faced a lot of scrutiny following the passing of AKA, whose real name was Kiernan Forbes.
Many people believed he was acting strangely upon watching the viral CCTV footage that captured how AKA and his former manager, Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, were shot on that tragic day in February 2023.
Shortly after the passing of the Dreamwork hit-maker, Don Design penned a heartfelt letter to his late friend.
“My heart is shattered, and the past couple of days have been nothing short of surreal. I am writing this with great difficulty, trying to put into words what you really meant to me. I would never have imagined that I would be putting together such a message,” he wrote.