They are close friends and share a special bond, on and off stage. Singer and songwriter Vusi Nova has been visiting hospitalised singer Bulelwa "Zahara" Mkutukana in hospital since she was admitted. He tells ZiMoja he can't believe how a lively and bubbly person like Zahara can be so sick.
HEARTBROKEN
Zahara has been in the ICU for almost two weeks following complications with her liver. The Loliwe singer, who is being taken care of by her fiancé Mpho Xaba who has paid lobola for her and was waiting to finalise their marriage, has been fighting for her life since. Vusi, who is a close friend of Zahara, says he last saw her a week before she was hospitalised and then spoke to her on the phone about two days before she was admitted into the hospital. "She was okay, doing perfectly fine. We were sorting out details for a gig in Mozambique and she was looking forward to it and then this happened," he says. "There were no signs of ill health or anything. She was her usual self. "Life is weird at times, you think you are okay and healthy but your body has other plans."
MISSING HIS FRIEND
Vusi says besides his struggles, this has been one of the hardest things he is currently dealing with. "Knowing that she is lying there, helpless hurts," he says. "I have been going to see her everyday. Days are not the same. Some days she is fine, getting better and some days I leave there crying," he says. "At the moment she is not awake or speaking and I am praying and hoping that today when I visit her she will be awake." Vusi misses Zahara "the bully" and misses seeing her bubbly nature. "It breaks my heart. It's tough seeing someone so full of life. Bulelwa is very out there, bossy, vibrant, expressive. To see her in that light is frustrating for me," he says.
HIS OWN HEALTH CHALLENGES
Vusi knows what it's like to have ill health. Three years ago he was diagnosed with the heart condition, Mitral Valve Prolapse - where the valve flaps do not always fit and close properly between each beat of the heart and he has been watching his health since. "This year I was back in hospital with high blood pressure. My heart is bigger than it's supposed to be because of the heart condition and that's caused high blood pressure." He takes his medication every morning. " This is to contain it and control it. I have also made drastic lifestyle changes. I watch my weight, eat right and I'm meant to lessen my alcohol intake, which is very hard," he cackles. " But every day, I have to work out and I don't have a choice but to do the right things for my health."
