Bruce Ndlovu, Sunday Life Reporter
ONLY a few months after he was bedridden with a debilitating illness, veteran marabi star Jeys Marabini says he is now well on the road to recovery, and he is now back in the studio as he prepares for the release of his 10th studio album, an effort that he says is being in made in celebration of his new lease of life.
Marabini has been struggling with haemorrhoids for the best part of the last decade, with a recent scan also revealing that he had an inflamed spleen. While Marabini has over the years managed to play through the pain and fulfil his artistic obligations despite deteriorating health, he recently had to put down his guitar as he was no longer able to perform because of the increasing discomfort.
However, following an unexpected invitation to meet President Mnangagwa on 9 July at the State House in Bulawayo, Marabini, born Majahawodwa Ndlovu, has been making rapid strides in recovery, aided by an outpouring of support from fans and well-wishers as well as expert medical help.
In an interview with Sunday Life, Marabini, said that his outlook on life had changed recently, after he had all but thrown in the towel only a few months ago.
“I would like to thank the Lord for giving me another chance at living life again. Before the newspaper article, people didn’t know I was not feeling well and I think that I need to thank the Sunday News for making the public aware.
My life has changed immeasurably since I met the President. It gave me courage and encouragement that I can live further on and here I am still alive. It made me realise that illness is not death because I was in a really bad space and my life was really hard.
“I am encouraged by the support I got from people and so far, so good. The doctor says I am improving and that’s why I have started recording. I would like to thank the President for the support that he gave me during the hardest period of my life because his backing was really a big boost,” he said.
Marabini said he would be dedicating one song in particular on the yet to be titled album to his redemption, as he felt that he needed to give thanks to his Maker for giving him a new lease of life. The song is expected to be the first rendition he belts out when he performs for only the second time this year during a concert set for 26 November.
“I am going to feature an imbube group called Amaqaqa and together we are going to sing the most important song of the album. On that song I will be singing and thanking the Lord and the people for this new lease of life that I have.
I will sing my heart out on that song, as I prepare for my show on 26 November and that is the song that we will open with,” he said.
Marabini said he was excited to be back on stage again, as he had been cut off from one of his main sources of income for almost the entire year.
“I have started taking bookings because people have heard that I’m starting to get better now because now I believe that I can be able to afford to perform during a show. The gig on 26 November is all about thanking God and accredit him for his work. I want to thank the fans and everyone that has been a part of my journey as I was sick.
“It’s also about thinking the people that have been there with me on my journey in music. It’s been a while since I did a show. I think I have done only one this year and the rest I have had to cancel. I cancelled shows in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, besides the shows that I was supposed to perform in here in Zimbabwe. So, I also want to celebrate life because when the Lord gives you another chance to live, you have to show appreciation because if you don’t then that gift can be withdrawn from you,” he said.
Marabini said he was only now interested in cementing his own legacy, hence his decision to work with young artistes both for his album and his comeback show on 26 November.
“I am excited about this album as it is my first time to reach double digits in terms of album releases.
I’m featuring, especially during the live show, very young musicians from Bulawayo because I feel that as a musician, you have to leave a legacy and put people on the map.
The industry is big and we need to promote young musicians that are serious about their craft, especially those that are competent live performers.
“There’s a musician called Vicky from Zvishavane who will be coming to perform at that show. There’s a young man who does my backing vocals, Nqabelo, who I felt is talented and deserves a chance to be in the spotlight before I play.
I have Brian Awa who’s a talented musician who’s also doing the vocals on my album. I am trying to give young people a chance because there’s a big gap between the older artistes and those that are coming up.
We shouldn’t be the ones that are always showcased at these big events because what will happen when we pass away? We want to cover that gap. People must come and see how much talent is there in Zimbabwe,” he said.