MUSICIAN Edith “WeUtonga” Katiji will on Friday host a dinner at Ingia Ushibe in Greencroft to fundraise for her 10-month-old son, Madalitso Farai Mjanana’s heart surgery.
Report by Entertainment Reporter
Madalitso was diagnosed with a serious heart defect four months ago and is due for surgery in India.
The mother has gone further to put her beloved bass guitar — the one that has brought her fame and recognition — up for auction at the dinner to show her undying love and willingness to save her baby.
According to WeUtonga’s husband and manager Elton Mjanana, the condition is known as ventricular septal defect (VSD).
“In layman’s terms he has a hole in his heart. This hole is over a centimeter in diameter — too big to close on its own as is the case with some infant patients,” Mjanana said.
“This VSD makes him weak, as his heart is unable to function fully. He is in danger of suffering cardiac arrest if he is not attended to urgently. In essence, the doctor advised that he needed urgent open heart surgery before he turns one.”
He said the surgery required to fix the defect in Madalitso’s heart was not available locally and was expensive in South Africa.
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“India is the cheapest option and with $15 000 the boy can be taken to India for the operation,” said Mjanana.
He said the amount would be enough to cover travel, accommodation and hospital expenses.
WeUtonga said she had decided to auction her guitar to save her son.
“I have found myself having to make a hard decision to part with my bass guitar to save my baby’s lif,” she said.
She has also managed to attract the attention of corporates who have pledged their products for either auctioning or giving away as prizes on the night.
“For guests, who will have to part with a cool $50 for a sumptuous three course meal the night will be made memorable by an ensemble of musicians led by Katiji herself,” Mjanana said.
