Jeys Marabini readies spectacular album launch

Bruce Ndlovu, Sunday Life Reporter
ON the eve of the release of his 10th studio album, marabi maestro Jeys Marabini has declared that he believes that the new effort, made in the aftermath of a life-threatening illness, will propel him to greater heights, while expecting the official album launch to be one of the most spectacular in his illustrious career.

Marabini’s album is set to be launched at the Bulawayo Theatre on 26 November (Saturday), with an array of major figures from the world of entertainment from around the country set to attend while Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Tino Machakaire is set to be the Guest of Honour during the launch. Speaking to Sunday Life, Marabini said  promotion of the album launch had reached people far and wide.

“The show has managed to draw the attention of a lot of people and you have major promoters like Chipaz pledging that they will also attend. They have seen the impact of the advertising we have done because have managed to get people from as far as Joburg and Cape Town (South Africa) to fly in for it.

This is a very important show for me because it is my first major show after Covid-19 and also added to the fact that I wasn’t feeling well. Now I’m back and alive and I want to thank God for that and that’s another reason why I’m doing this show,” he said.

Marabini, who was bedridden only a few months ago, said the album was also a way for him to celebrate the new lease of life he felt that his maker had given him. Marabini has been struggling with haemorrhoids for the best part of the last decade, while a recent scan also revealed that he had an inflamed spleen. While Marabini has over the years managed to play through the pain and fulfil his artistic obligations despite deteriorating health, he recently had to put down his guitar as he was no longer able to perform because of the increasing discomfort.

However, following an unexpected invitation to meet President Mnangagwa on 9 July at the State House in Bulawayo, Marabini, born Majahawodwa Ndlovu, has been making rapid strides in recovery, aided by an outpouring of support from fans and well-wishers.

“This is my 10th album and that makes it very different and important in my life. God said that it is too soon for me to die and left me on this earth to continue entertaining people and I want to thank him for that. So, it’s going to be a good show from what I see. This is another step I’m taking in my life.

This is a milestone in my career and you can feel the excitement from people that are out there putting out messages promoting the show and album. Those people are doing it voluntarily and I haven’t goaded anyone into it. People send these things out of love and I thank God for this wave of support that I am enjoying. The tickets have been brought from everywhere around the world and I urge those at home to buy the tickets before they run out. I am humbled by the fact that the Minister Tino Machakaire (Deputy Minister of  Youth, Sport, Art and Recreation is also coming to be the guest of honour at the show and it it’s a great honour for me and it brings great excitement to me because I have been supported from the lowest and to the highest offices,” he said.