Prince Mushawevato
THIRD Generation band member Fatima “Stimela” Katiji, who is under the weather, says she misses being on stage and going through the paces that have come to define her. Third Generation is Jah Prayzah’s band. Stimela, one of two female backing vocalists, has not been on stage for close to a month due to ill health. The artiste — known for her bubbly smile, energetic dances and stage antics — is recuperating at her Mabvuku home after she was diagnosed with tuberculosis.
Speaking to this writer at her home last week, Stimela said doctors said her condition arose due to continuous exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke and dust in the joints Third Generation frequently performs in. She said she understood the need to rest but her temporary break from the stage was hard to take.
“I’m worried about my job. I love it so much such that the idea of ‘sitting’ at home is killing me. I’m used to going to work and performing for people. I just hope I become strong sooner rather than later,” said Stimela.
Stimela was last on stage at the Golden Pilsener Afro-Fusion gig at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare last month. She had to cancel the following gigs as her body could not go on. Good news though, the artiste is recovering and will soon be back in action.
“I have been on treatment in the past weeks and I’m seeing great improvement in my health. The medication has helped me recover my voice and a bit of my strength hence I’m confident I will soon be back at work,” said the dancer-cum-backing vocalist.
“I’m going to take the doctor’s advice and be more careful this time around. He told me that I should drink lots of milk especially after shows among other precautionary measures to avoid such scenarios in the future.”
Stimela said she was grateful to the support from Third Generation, fans, her family and fellow artistes during her time off.
When The Sunday Mail Leisure arrived at Stimela’s home, she was in the company of musician Ammi Jamanda and a host of other people kept on coming to visit her. And her cheerful husband certainly appears to be playing a major role in Stimela’s recovery, waiting at her beck and call throughout the day.
“My fans and family members have been visiting and calling frequently to check on me. I thank them for that and want to assure them that I will be back on the stage soon. I’m taking my medication as prescribed by the doctors thus I should fully recover soon,” she said.
“Jah Prayzah has been here though he has limited his number of visits because people are mobbing him each time he comes,” she said with a smile. “The first time he came, children as well as adults followed him from the shops up to here and the yard and street was swarmed for some time. The manager comes regularly and has told me not to worry about anything, including groceries.”
Third Generation manager Keen Mushapaidze added that they were giving their band member all the support they could, which included visits and prayers.
“What matters most to us at the moment is her speedy recovery. She is still very much on our payroll and we make sure she benefits from every event we go to even whilst she is recovering at home,” said Mushapaidze.
“We do not know of the exact date she will be coming back on stage but we are assured it is soon. We are not under any pressure though and we will not pressure her to return. However, we miss her on stage so much and the fans do too, that smile she puts on every time has always been a motivational push for many.”
Stimela is an integral member of Third Generation.
She was expected to help rookie Excavator, real name Thobekile Nleya, easily fit into the ensemble following the departure of Pamela Zulu aka Gonyeti.
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