adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
FORMER Studio 263 actress Pretty Xaba arrived yesterday afternoon in New Delhi, India, where she is scheduled to undergo treatment for throat cancer. She is accompanied by her niece Nomadili Xaba.
Xaba left aboard a Fly Emirates flight on Monday evening and is admitted at BLK Super Specialty Hospital.
She is expected to spend a month there under the care of doctors. According to their website, BLK Super Specialty is one of the biggest stand alone private hospitals in India with a capacity of 700 beds including 125 critical care beds.
Co-ordinator of the fundraising campaign dubbed “Let’s Help Pretty Xaba Campaign”, Tawonga Mafundikwa, urged people to continue donating because Xaba would need care after the operation in India.
“Let’s continue to mobilise resources because she needs care after the treatment in India,” he said.
Mafundikwa said they were pleased that Xaba, who rose to national prominence playing the role of Mai Muwengwa in Zimbabwe’s first soapie, finally managed to travel to India for specialist treatment.
“Time was running out for Pretty and we were under immense pressure because she had to get treatment fast. Now she’s in India and we’re all happy that we accomplished that. We thank all the people who donated in cash and kind and appeal to those who made pledges to honour them,” he said.
People who donated to Xaba’s cause include, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) leader Walter Magaya who gave her $18,000.
A few weeks ago, artistes held a benefit concert for Xaba at the Book Cafe.
The event saw Jah Prayzah, Baba and Amai Charamba, Progress Chipfumo and BaShupi, among others, sharing the stage. The show raised just about $2,000.
Affirmative Action Group Harare Province paid for her air ticket.
Besides starring in television productions like Studio 263, Coliwe, Murambiwa and Something Nice from London, Xaba has worked with Tsitsi Dangarembga on the film Wedding Dress.
She also did a number of theatre productions, with the most memorable being the Rooftop production titled Wedding Night.
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