L’vovo chats five-day walk to raise awareness about strokes and making music again
Image: Instagram/ L'vovo
Musician Thokozani Sphamandla, popularly known as L'vovo Derrango, suffered a stroke in December 2022 during a performance in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal.
Fast forward to this month of September and L'vovo is grateful to have a support system while he recovers, and said he will go back to music soon.
On Monday the musician announced a five-day walk that stared in Newcastle and will end in Durban.
What inspired the walk?
It was to raise awareness as a person who has suffered stroke and survived. Stroke are not for old people. We can all be victims but you can recover.
Did you consult with your doctors about whether you are fit enough to embark on the walk?
"Yes and they allowed me to walk. I wasn't doing the entire route from Newcastle to Durban. I was doing 2km and the other teams continued with the walk. I will be in Durban when they reach that side so we can get a welcome from other artists and from the mayor's office and the department of health. I'm not doing the whole walk as I'm not 100% fit."
How has the recovery journey been since you came home from the hospital?
It has been a hard eight months trying to recover but as long as you have the right people next to you , the support system from family and friends, you are able to overcome and believe it will pass. You must have faith because when you believe, you will recover well. I'm grateful that I'm almost there and I will be going back to what I love the most.
Do you think there is enough awareness when it comes strokes?
I don't think there is enough awareness. As young people we think strokes are for old people, but we are all victims from 17 upwards, and we've seen lately what has been happening to artists. That's why we wanted to do this walk from Newcastle to Durban to raise awareness.
You recently pulled out of a show (Cotton Fest). Will we see you come back into the music space?
Yes I'm coming back to music. I'm in studio and I will be releasing an EP. Music is what I do most, it is what I love. I will be back on stage. For now the concentration is on recovery and recording good music, so people should expect new music from me this festive season.