Tongai Moyo dismisses rumours of his death

Tongai Moyo dismisses rumours of his death

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By Showbiz Reporter

TONGAI Moyo has been forced to deny the latest rumours about his death.

The Zimbabwean singer is battling cancer. Last year, he was the subject of several hoax stories announcing his death.

The latest rumour began circulating on Thursday last week, and the text message-driven rumour mill in Harare went into overdrive, conveying the “sad news” to shocked fans around the world.

A spokesman for the singer told New Zimbabwe.com on Sunday that Moyo was fine and enjoying his weekend at his Kwekwe home with friends and family.

“I just spoke to him and he is absolutely fine. In fact he is eating ground nuts as we speak,” the spokesman said by telephone.

Moyo admitted last month that he had a type of cancer known as Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL).

Lymphoma, like other cancers, is a disease of the body's cells. Lymphoma cells generally start to grow in lymph nodes or lymph glands. Usually non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) affects groups of lymph nodes in one area of the body.

Cancer researchers say the most common place for it to occur is in the lymph nodes in the neck. The next most common places are the lymph glands under the arms (axilla), in the chest, or in the groin or abdomen. It can also occur in body organs. In some people, NHL can affect the liver, lungs or bone.

Moyo revealed the disease was also causing loss of hair, but has vowed to fight the cancer after starting treatment.

“The signs of recovery are there because unlike late last year, now I am capable of playing for three hours non stop like I did during my tour of the United Kingdom on New Year’s eve,” Moyo said.

Moyo said doctors had informed him he had developed the cancer because of over-exposure to cigarette smoke at night clubs and pubs where he performs almost every weekend.

The cause of most non-Hodgkin lymphomas is unknown. However, lymphomas are more likely to develop in people who have taken drugs to prevent rejection of an organ transplant or who have lowered immunity, for example due to HIV or Aids, according to the Cancerbackup.org.uk website.
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