Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A PLUMTREE man who unsuccessfully tried to kill himself THREE TIMES inside two days has launched a career as a gospel musician. Nqobile Mlilo, 37, who works at a supermarket in Plumtree, has released an album titled uJesu Uyangimangaza [Jesus Amazes Me]. Mlilo was driven to despair by his allegedly cheating wife in September last year, leading him to consider taking his life.

At first, he drank a dip chemical, but survived after neighbours rushed him to Plumtree District Hospital. He sneaked out of the hospital in the middle of the night and attempted suicide the following day by slicing his throat and stomach with a knife. When he did not realise his mission, Mlilo jumped into a septic tank in the hope of drowning, but was rescued by residents of Garikai suburb.

On Monday, Mlilo was not keen to discuss his suicide attempts, but revealed that he was now focused on pursuing a music career.

“I don’t want to talk about that incident and I don’t know what had got into me at that time. I’ve fully recovered now as you can see that I’m back at work,” said Mlilo. “I’ve great plans for my career in gospel music as music has always been my passion. In this album, which I’ve just released now, I was playing the keyboard and doing the singing at the same time. I managed to get some backing vocalists.” He said he was working towards establishing a musical group for youths around Plumtree.Mlilo also revealed ambitions to open a studio of his own by the end of next year.

He said he had always wanted to pursue a career in gospel music since his school days, adding that there was a lot of untapped talent among the youths in the border town. “I’ve moved around Plumtree, Bulilima and Mangwe trying to get youths to come aboard my music project. For now, the youths are reluctant and they don’t want to join but as time goes on I hope to convince them,” he said.

“I believe that Plumtree has a lot of talent which can translate to income generating projects. We can’t be having groups coming here from other cities and towns and countries to provide entertainment while we can nurture our own entertainers.”

Mlilo said he would release more albums as his fans had greatly appreciated his music. Some of the songs featured on the album include “Nkosi Yami’ [My Lord], Wen’ Uyobukuphi [Where Will You Be], uJesu Uyangimangaza [Jesus Amazes Me], Themb’ uJesu [Trust Jesus], Ngiyabonga [I”m Thankful] and Nkosi Sihawukele [Lord Have Mercy on Us].He said his passion to spread the gospel of the Lord drove him to produce the album.After attempting to take his own life, Mlilo spent several months admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals.

During the first few days in hospital, he could not eat or drink water and had to be drip fed. At the time, his relatives suspected that he was driven to the edge of despair by his wife’s infidelity. He claimed that his wife was unfaithful as he had caught her several times with different men in their matrimonial bed.

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