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Pretty Xaba

Lovemore Meya Arts Correspondent
More than 15 artistes and comedians will today converge at the Book Café in a fundraising show to raise $15 000 to help veteran actress Pretty Xaba who is battling cancer.Xaba was diagnosed two months ago with cancer of the oesophagus, as a result, artistes have come together to hold a show with the proceeds directed at helping Xaba to undergo treatment in India.

This is the second time that artistes are holding such a show at the venue in a short time after a holding a benefit concert for Book Cafe founder and proprietor Paul Brickhill who is also battling cancer. Brickhill was hospitalised locally and is recovering at home.

Instances of cancer in the country have risen in the past few years as the prevalence of non-pandemic diseases have generally increased.

Campaign head, Taonga Mafundikwa said they came up with the idea to help their fellow artiste to undergo treatment.

“We have organised a fundraising show at the Book Café and it will start at 7.30pm. Our aim is to raise about $15 000 and if possible she should be flown to India this weekend because her condition is deteriorating.

“The budget we suggested should cater for her medical care and is inclusive of the air ticket and other expenses,” said Mafundukwa.

Mafundikwa said they are calling upon fellow musicians to rally behind Xaba in her trying times.

“I am calling upon all artistes to dedicate their time and come to help our sister so that she can survive. The corporate world should come aboard and support us since Xaba was involved in many organisations’ adverts where she did voice overs,” he said.

Mafundikwa said this should not only be for Xaba, but for everyone as Zimbabweans should cultivate a culture of helping each other out.

Some of the musicians billed to perform are Baba naMai Charamba, Jah Prayzah, Progress Chipfumo, Doc Vikela, Q The Boss and many others.

Suluman Chimbetu’s publicist, Joe Nyamungoma said it was a good gesture for artistes to unite and raise funds to help a fellow workmate.

“It shows that artistes are united and when we heard about it we said it was something good that everyone should be involved with. And as musicians, there is need to set up a fundraising organisation specifically tailored to help who ever needs help,” he said.

He said it was so sad that artistes are falling prey to cancer since it is the same that Killed Tongai Moyo.

“People should come in numbers to help her go over it and we are calling upon God’s intervention to heal her,” he said.