Popular musician Mapaputsi, real name Sandile Ngwenya is ill and is said to bedridden at his Soweto home. The star's ill health apparently started last year and according to insiders he's not getting any better. 

The Izinja hit maker fell ill last year towards the end of the year and hasn't been in good shape since. "He hasn't been in good shape since October and has been bedridden since. He doesn't want the news of his ill health to bother his fans, as he believes he'll be fine," an insider told ZiMoja. 

The star whose music once dominated local radio airwaves is said to be avoiding going to hospital. Another source said, "He doesn't want to go to hospital, even though his family has been begging him to go seek help there. He'll be fine but to be honest he's not doing so well, which is why he's being advised to go to hospital where he'll get the help he desperately needs".

Mapaputsi's family is also said to be worried about his ill health. "What compounds their fears is his stubborn behaviour and the fact that he doesn't want to get help. Mapaputsi's phone rang unanswered and he didn't answer questions sent to him. His manager, who only wanted to be identified as Gee, said: "I believe Mapaputsi will pull through because he is a fighter and has always been."