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Record label boss: ‘I feel as if I am in a prison in my own house’

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Lunga Nombewu
Lunga Nombewu

To save lives we must adhere to the rules of the lockdown – even though it’s hard.

Today marks 14 days since record label boss Lunga “Baainar” Nombewu has been in self-quarantine.

Nombewu, who tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus last week, said his road to recovery was still a long way off because he had to go through another 28 days of self-isolation.

“My doctor told me I need to be tested twice before I can be cleared of having the virus. This means I am going to be in self-isolation for another 28 days,” Nombewu told City Press this week.

He said being infected with the virus had affected his life because he could not kiss, touch, hug and be with his loved ones.

My doctor broke the news that I had tested positive for Covid-19. At first I didn’t want to believe him because I had no symptoms. I was still feeling healthy. This has taught me that you don’t have to show all the symptoms when you contract the virus
Lunga “Baainar” Nombewu

However, the 41-year-old couldn’t contain his excitement that of five close contacts, his daughter and cousin had tested negative.

“We are still waiting for the results of the other three,” he said.

Nombewu, who owns Baainar record label, has worked with many different artists, including Heavy K, Mr Lu and Point 5.

He said the reason he came out publicly about having been infected with virus was to teach and educate people about the pandemic.

Nombewu recently travelled to Cuba via France.

He said that when he watched Idris Elba’s video in which he spoke of being infected, he knew there was a possibility that he might also have been infected.

On March 17, he went for the screening tests and five days later his doctor called him with the results.

“My doctor broke the news that I had tested positive for Covid-19. At first I didn’t want to believe him because I had no symptoms. I was still feeling healthy. This has taught me that you don’t have to show all the symptoms when you contract the virus.”

I feel as if I am in a prison in my own house. We are a very affectionate family, so not being able to hug and kiss them has been a struggle for me
Lunga “Baainar” Nombewu

The first people to whom he disclosed his positive results were his wife and two children, aged 12 and six.

“Nobody in the house wanted to accept it, but they encouraged me not to despair. Then I called my mother and she cried on the phone. Nothing has been the same since then.

“I feel as if I am in a prison in my own house. We are a very affectionate family, so not being able to hug and kiss them has been a struggle for me. It gets lonely in this room even though I know my family is on the other side of the door.”

He said that when he wanted to chat to his family, he opened the door and sat next to the window while they stood in the opposite room. They had to shout to have a conversation.

He admitted that the life being in quarantine was odd.

“At times I feel like I am losing my mind as I am alone in the room. Sometimes, I do keep myself busy by cleaning my room, reading and listening to inspiring music. Every day I choose to fight back and educate as many people as possible. This has given me purpose and hope. The support from the public has been amazing.

“The only way to protect one another is to ensure we adhere to the regulations of the lockdown. That way we can save more lives. We can beat this virus just by staying in our homes.”


Ntombizodwa Makhoba
Journalist
City Press
p:+27 11 713 9001
w:www.citypress.co.za  e: Ntombizodwa@citypress.co.za
      
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