Why Thando Mokoena Keeps Her Feelings Locked Inside
Thando Mokoena is no stranger to the public eye. As the daughter of South African icons Pearl Thusi and Walter Mokoena, she’s grown up surrounded by cameras, headlines, and high expectations. But in a recent interview with TikTok creator Romeo Black, Thando stepped away from the spotlight’s polish and shared something raw, real, and deeply relatable: she struggles to talk about her feelings.
“I don’t know about talking about my feelings at all,” she said, her voice steady but vulnerable. “It’s tough.”
Her words weren’t dramatic, they were honest. Delivered with the quiet conviction of someone who’s learned to carry emotion in silence. For Thando, emotional expression isn’t just difficult; it’s something she’s learned to suppress in order to survive.
“It’s human nature to keep your feelings suppressed,” she explained. “You just keep going. Because if you dwell on them, you’re gonna be stuck and you got to go to go to work. And life’s gonna keep going.”
That philosophy – ‘keep moving, don’t get stuck’, echoes the emotional resilience many young South Africans are forced to adopt. Whether it’s grief, pressure, or the weight of expectations, there’s often little room to pause and process. Thando’s words reflect a generation that’s been taught to be strong, even when it hurts.
Her reflections come in the wake of a personal loss that still lingers: the death of Kiernan “AKA” Forbes. Thando described the late rapper as a father figure, someone who treated her with seriousness, care, and respect. “He taught me a lot of things about religion and respect,” she shared. “He was another type of father figure that I needed in my life. He wasn’t funny with me because he treated me like his daughter.”
Their bond was deep, and his passing left a void. In the interview, Thando admitted she regrets not expressing her appreciation to AKA while he was alive. “I wasn’t expressive enough,” she said, visibly heartbroken. “He needed to make more music. He had a lot more plans to execute and a lot of things to do in life.”
Her regret is a powerful reminder: silence can protect us, but it can also rob us of connection. Thando’s story resonates with anyone who’s ever wished they’d said more, felt more, or shared more, before it was too late.
The interview sparked a wave of emotion online. Fans were surprised to learn about her close relationship with AKA, and many expressed renewed grief over his untimely death. Comments poured in: “We were robbed,” “I still think about him often,” and “I wish AKA was still here, especially for Kairo.” Her vulnerability reminded people that behind every public figure is a private life filled with real relationships, real pain, and real love.
At just 17, Thando is navigating life with both joy and sorrow. She’s growing up in the public eye, but carving out her own voice – one that’s reflective, grounded, and quietly powerful. Her story isn’t just about grief or emotional suppression. It’s about learning, healing, and the courage it takes to speak the unspeakable.
