Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
SONGBIRD Pauline Gundidza says she has not taken an alcoholic drink for ONE-AND-HALF YEARS.
The Mafriq co founder battled alcohol abuse for years.
Pauline is one of the few local celebrities who opened up against their battles against substance abuse.
“I have since stopped drinking and it has helped my career a lot.
“In my case, I didn’t check into a rehabilitation centre to get help but I still achieved self-rehabilitation.
“Through self-rehabilitation, you can save money to check into a proper rehabilitation centre with clinical staff, if needed.
“After all, rehabilitation is about accepting the situation that pushed you into that condition.
“I was exposed to people who abused alcohol and it almost became the norm but Skye (her daughter) helped me simply by talking to me.”
She added:
“I am no longer that outgoing person because each time I went out with friends I would start abusing alcohol again, which nearly cost me my life.
“I can safely say it’s been a year and some months since I quit drinking to concentrate on my wellbeing.
“There were moments when I realised I could die if I wasn’t careful and that prompted me to change my lifestyle.”
She still has a strong bond with her ex-husband, Rockford “Roki” Josphats, despite their acrimonious divorce.
She believes the bond is unbreakable because they have two children together.
The pair were blessed with two daughters — Skye (21) and Minana (16).
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub ahead of their Easter collaboration, Pauline admitted she still wants to bring Roki closer so they can produce quality work together.
“Roki and I have a strong bond and our children have made it even stronger,” she said.
“I would like to bring him closer so we can produce quality music together — fans love to see us perform.
“On stage and in the studio there is chemistry between us, and I will always want to work with him.
“I still have a lot of unreleased stuff that I worked on with him, and I will always cherish working with him.”
Pauline also revealed that she gets along well with Roki’s other children.
“You will be surprised to know that I am a good mother who gets along well with my ex’s other children.
‘They always call me ‘mama’ and soon we are planning to stay with one of them.
“It might seem like an awkward arrangement, but God has blessed me with a special talent that makes me likable to the kids.”
She added:
“A lot happened between us but you cannot take the kids away from us. Skye has been helping me even when I was battling alcohol abuse.”
