He once thought it was impossible to make music or perform without taking drugs or having a sip of an alcoholic drink. But it's taken singer, and songwriter Ishmael Morabe years to realise that life is exciting without drugs. He now performs sober-minded and clean after spending time at a rehabilitation centre.

MUSIC IS HIS ESCAPE

He is glowing, looking fresh, and found a new lease on life. He enjoys taking sobering long walks and the smaller things in life. He tells Zimoja that he also gained a few kilos after spending some time at a rehabilitation centre for drug abuse. Ishmael is currently promoting his hot Amapiano song titled Ngawe with female DJ Lisa Li. "The song dropped at the beginning of February locally and in Nigeria, which was showcased in the biggest tv shows in Lagos on SoundCity,' he tells ZiMoja. The last project he was involved with was a year ago called Asphelelanga where he sang his rendition of Nana Coyote and Steve Kekana's Take Your Love and Jabu Khanyile's Mkhaya Lo.

STAYING CLEAN

For years, Ishamel battled with drug abuse and was in and out of rehab. He has now been off drugs for three months after making the life-changing decision of staying clean for good. "What motivated me to stay off drugs was the fear of losing all the things I hold dear in my life,' he says. "The God in me, family members, and my music career. I imagined losing everything and realised that I needed to get my life together. No matter how many times I fail, I always want to keep trying.' This is not the first time he is going to rehab. The first time was a few years ago, but he felt he was not ready as yet. "My first attempt at staying clean was a few years ago. I went to a rehab centre where I stayed for a few months. But when I got out, I went back to my old habits and relapsed,' he says. "It has been an ongoing battle and a fight, but I refuse to fail.'  

GETTING SUPPORT

Ishmael's says his support system has motivated him to not give up. "People like Lisa Li have been very supportive. Delphine and Lance Stehr from Muthaland have motivated me to stay off drugs, for good this time.' Ishmael says throughout the years, he has lost almost everything valuable including some relationships with close friends. "I've lost money,cars, and some important friendships. I almost lost myself.' He goes on to say that his life has improved since stopping drugs. "I'm more focused and I take my work seriously. My health has improved. I'm more driven than ever before and I love and respect what I do more than ever before,' he says. "I now realise the importance of my calling and the influence it has on others and I am learning never to take my blessings for granted. I hope to pick up where I left off and even do greater things with my music.'