Dhewa's struggle with cancer continues

Sungura musician Tongai "Dhewa" Moyo was billed to perform at Ascot Stadium among a host of other musicians last week but had to cancel his appearance to go for his routine check ups.

Dhewa missed the Independence Gala held in Gweru after he was admitted at St Anne's Hospital in Harare.

The absence of Dhewa was a big disappointment to his fans as they waited in vain to watch him on stage.

National gala co-ordinator Retired Major Anywhere Mutambudzi confirmed Dhewa had been hospitalised just a day before the gala.

"We expected Tongai but unfortunately, he phoned me a day before the gala saying he was not feeling well and had been admitted at a private hospital for treatment.

"We then wished him a speedy recovery," he said.

The Utakataka Express front man was diagnosed of cancer known as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2008 and has been undergoing chemotherapy since then.

In an interview, Dhewa said it was not anything serious but just his routine check-up.

"It's true that I was not feeling well and I phoned the gala organiser telling him that I could not make it at the show.

"I have since been discharged from St Anne's Hospital and I am now at home in Harare and feeling fine," said Dhewa.

However, some fans expressed their disgruntlement saying that the organisers should have announced that Dhewa would not perform.

"I came all the way from Chiwundura just to see Dhewa on stage but to my surprise there is no sign of him.

"We should have been told before coming because I am a big fan of Dhewa," said a man who identified himself as Baba Bee.

Dhewa is riding high with his latest album "Toita Basa" that features the songs "Ndiro Yababa", "Ndinobvuma" - that talks about his cancer condition - "Tsamba Ndakanyora", "Nhasi Ndadiwa", "Mabasa" and "Imba Vaviri".