WATCH | From turmoil to triumph! — A look inside Zola 7's eventful 2022

Bonginkosi “Zola 7" Dlamini's return to the limelight is a story about going from turmoil to triumph.

The Kwaito star has made headlines on various occasions this year with his fans worried about his wellbeing.

It all started in March 2022 when Nota took to his Twitter timeline saying that Zola was “not doing well nor looking good” and many people had stopped checking on him.

Zola's wife, popularly known as Siki Kunene, at the time spoke to TshisaLIVE dismissing the report saying Nota's comments were misleading as the Kwaito star was doing fine.

“All those things he said are utter rubbish. He's just trying to create hype over nothing. The truth is Bonginkosi is fine. He's got epilepsy. He is taking chronic medication for it,” she said.

But it did not take too long after that for Zola to shoot up the trends list with many flooding the timeline with concerns for his wellbeing, leading the veteran TV presenter and musician to take to Facebook and finally accept financial assistance by sharing his banking details.

“I've received hundreds of texts asking for my banking details. I see I'm trending on Twitter and plenty of people are offering financial assistance as gratitude. I've never expected anything in return for the help I've given people in need but this is truly humbling.”

He said he was sceptical about sharing his banking details because his pride stood in the way.

“Initially I rejected this notion ngoba I'm a proud nguni man kodwa futhi kuthiwa ungabo jikisa isipho osphiwa sona. Ngakho, ngiyabonga Guluva Nation. I can't respond to all of you kodwa here are the banking details eniwacelile.”

The star started receiving money donations from the fans. Businesswoman and reality TV star Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize was among the renowned faces who stepped in to contribute as well.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE, MaMkhize said she could not disclose what donations she had made to Zola 7 but wanted to encourage Mzansi not to turn a blind eye regarding his wellbeing.

“It was a great experience and I believe we must show love to people while they are alive and not wait until it’s too late. Love for others should be an everyday selfless act. I would like to encourage people to show him love.” she said. 

“I believe I’m a mother figure to a lot of people, so when my sister brought Zola to my attention by tagging me in a post where he was asking me to help a young lady looking to do nursing, I reached out to him.”

Among the many events hosted to assist Zola 7, the long-awaited Strictly Kwaito Legends Festival made a return in his honour in Mpumalanga with some of the proceeds of the event going to him.

Zola 7 appeared at the festival barely able to stand without a walking stick and was carried on someone's back when he interacted with his fans.

Explaining why he was emotional on the day, Zola said he had been confined to his house for a long time and didn't anticipate such a warm reception.

“I'm a sensitive guy. When something profound happens I can't help but get a teardrop. I miss my friends though, because they are gone. They are lying at Heroes Acre Cemetery. I miss Jabba, I miss Pro Kid, Mandoza, Dash and Lebo ... I had to get on stage and do Mandoza's Nkalakatha just to remind people who we are and where we come from. 

“Thank you for dragging me out of my house to come here, because I've been in the house for too long, I've been sick for too long.”

in august Zola revealed he was ready to make a comeback, posting a snap of himself with a silver pendant featuring his iconic number 7. He captioned it: “He has risen! I feel brand new, now let's work.”

Since then Zola has shared his booking details and made several public appearances and performances around Mzansi.

Metro FM drive-time host Tbo Touch lauded Zola after his performance at the “A night with Legends” kwaito concert in October for his fighting spirit.

“We serve a God of a second, third, fourth chances, we can never reflect on the evolution of urban culture and not mention Zola's name.

“This event is the culmination of consistent quality radio driven by life-changing features. Many thought he would never walk, sing and perform ever again but sometimes life has a way of reminding us that God is on the throne!!!!” he wrote.

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