THE swift reaction by local music promoters, artists and fans to mobilise over US$4 000 for Bob “Headmaster” Nyabinde’s hospital bills last weekend was a noble gesture.
Nyabinde is critically ill and battling diabetes at a local hospital.
The 68-year-old was admitted to hospital last Sunday after he collapsed at home.
Friends and family say the crooner is in a very bad shape.
Nyabinde has been unwell for some time and is now partially blind.
Friends and some music promoters have been assisting him to pay his medical bills.
On Sunday, music promoters — Josh Hozheri and Partson Chimbodza — mobilised other stakeholders and raised money to meet Nyabinde’s medical bills.
Pastor Ruth from Christ Embassy donated US$1 500 and the total figure mobilised, as of Tuesday, is now believed to be over US$5000.
Dub-poet Albert Nyathi, Kireni Zulu, and Baba Machanic Manyeruke showed up at Sherwood Golf Club and led the way.
The trio made their donations and pledges to save our living legend.
This is the kind of spirit we have been yearning for.
People should get help when they are in such trying times.
Nyabinde’s charity case was made public early this year when he got very ill.
At one point, a sick rumour about his death circulated and his son Agga was forced to clear the air.
The rumour went viral on social media.
Why some people seemingly rejoice when they hear that someone is either dying or dead continues to defy logic.
People, who left footprints on the public domain like Nyabinde, should get assistance when they need it.
The Headmaster has been struggling to make ends meet as his illness is taking its toll on him.
He made his situation public and we are glad that some Good Samaritans still exist.
The same love should be extended to others who are facing similar problems.
It should not be just about the artist or those who are well known.
Every life matters and, where we can, we should find ourselves in a position where we can help.
We should always try our best to ensure that we try and help those who need our helping hand.
Arts regulatory bodies, like the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, should take a leading role in addressing its membership’s needs.
Sadly, we didn’t see them play any leading role when the artists and promoters gathered at the weekend to try and find ways of helping Nyabinde.
Our local arts regulatory bodies should not only be about entities which only act when our legends are gone.
It’s the kind of hypocrisy that we don’t want to see and we cannot have individuals playing a bigger role than those bodies which we created to specifically help these artists.
Nyabinde is a prominent figure in our musical industry.
He earned his legendary status and it’s something that will not be confirmed by his death, as when the end comes, but by the work he produced in his life.