By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Legendary musician — Zex Manatsa — is battling with arthritis as old age takes toll on him largely induced by injuries from his 1987 car accident which nearly claimed his life.
He suffered back and leg injuries and now he is limping.
According to medical experts arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints. The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age.
The 78-year-old Tea Hobvu hitmaker was involved in an accident on the eve of his album launch on 12 September 1987 which featured the song Highlanders, a dedication to his wife Stella’s football team.
The song Highlanders became an instant hit but Manatsa never enjoyed the popularly wave after he was left in a comma for three weeks.
His wife Stella of 49 years, told this at an event Thursday where the family received cement donations from football teams which Manatsa composed and wrote songs for.
The teams are Dyanamos, Highlanders, CAPS Utd and Zimbabwe Saints.
Each of the teams pledged one tonne each of cement to the legendary Manatsa who retired from public performance in December 2019 to focus on his ministry.
“When my husband started out his music career I thought he was just entertaining people not knowing that he would be recognised this way.
“Whenever I go back to my village they treat me like a celebrity because they read about me in the papers and also see me on television. Where I was born there are no celebrities but thanks to Manatsa I am now celebrated because of him,” she said with a chuckle.
The three big teams on local football scene have pledged to assist the Manatsa to complete their four-bedroomed house in Santosa, Harare.
While the four bedrooms have been completed already, the other wing is still to be completed as the walls are at window while the other part is still at slab level.
Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Art and Recreation, Honourable Tinoda Machakaire who was the guest said as government they were there to impact on musicians’ lives.
He said Manatsa would get a farm as he requested once the land has been identified by the relevant ministry.
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