He knows exactly how scary it can be.
Not only did he suffer a devastating stroke, he's now had to change his lifestyle to fit his new reality.
And he's not the only one. Leading a healthy lifestyle is becoming more essential with the fast-paced lives South Africans lead.
Eating correctly and finding the time to go to gym are not only crucial pass times to invest in but they are also becoming trendy lifestyle choices.
Strokes are becoming common.
Strokes are caused by a blockage of blood to the brain and the leading cause for this is heightened blood pressure. The Stroke Foundation has the daily deaths due to strokes and heart disease at around 215 people.
This is why Durban kwaito music legend L'vovo wants to help raise awareness about the health condition.
He will embark on a five day walk from September 18 to 22 from Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal to Durban, with a crowd of people all in the hopes of spreading awareness around strokes and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
The event is primarily a means of crowd funding for his rehabilitation and treatments. The charismatic pioneer of Durban kwaito music suffered a stroke while on stage in December 2022.
Although the 43-year-old is on the mend and walking the route to recovery, the going has not been easy.
“A stroke is tiring. There are things that you are not able to do, and you need to adjust to a new life that you are not used to. You can’t drive yourself or attend some of these events. You must depend on someone. It has been a long journey," he says with a heavy sigh.
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“Many things have changed, and I view life differently. I now know that it’s important to go to the gym and eat well.”
Although his vocation demanded physical exertion while on stage and on tour, he didn’t much find time to condition himself either in preparation for these strains or even when he was away from the stage. He looks back on this now as being a mistake.
“People aren’t aware of this [strokes] and it’s not just a risk for older people but everyone. So now I’m very much about taking care of my health and taking my medication.”
He sounds like a man who is dealing with his mortality and spirituality and although his speech is very slightly impaired, he delineates his mission clearly.
“I want people to be aware of this as it happens to people from the age of 17 and upwards, it isn’t just old people. That’s what this walk is about. I also want people to get used to the idea of a healthy lifestyle so people know that there should be a time to rest and exercise. I am a living survivor and people shouldn’t be scared if they get a stroke.”
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He has managed to pull himself back from what could have been a life ending episode and even though he is still in recovery, he feels reinvigorated and wants to spark this in others going through what he is.
“You can go back to the world but it’s just that your life won’t be what it was, but you can get back into the game,” he promises.
He has had to get used to doing things differently and the frustrations around this surface in his speech as he details how his life differs from what it once was.
“You are unable to do what you love; you can’t go perform or go watch your friends perform. But this gave me time for introspection and to find myself. Being alone helps. When you’re around people all the time you maybe can’t do that easily,” he explains.
“It was all a setback, but I see life through different eyes and now I know what life is and I know myself so much better. I really thought I did," he adds somberly.
There are to be five pit stops on this charity walk. L’vovo won’t walk the whole trip but parts of it, “when we leave Newcastle and stop at Ladysmith. I’ll also join them when they approach Durban but it’s just to be there and give others hope if they have given up.”
He spoke with respect for a few of the local celebrities who have either succumbed to a stroke or suffered one in recent times.
“Not many people know someone who has survived a stroke, maybe Lira and then Mampintsha passed away, may his soul rest in peace. I just want people to know that they’re not alone. I want people to learn from me, this is my second chance and there is a reason I survived which means there is still a lot of work I need to do here.”
A fire enkindles in his voice as the conversation winds down and L’vovo explains that he is still working hard on his Saviour EP which is comprised of five songs that he aims to release later this year.
He offers some sage advice to anyone going through a similar journey to his, “Never forget God and the people who support you in life. If you believe and never give up, you’ll make it through. Admit that you may not be in a good space, this is key. If you keep stressing about being strong when you aren’t then you won’t make it.”
