Call for donations: Musa Manzini’s brain surgery

Manzini has undergone four operations to remove a recurring brain tumour. He is now back in hospital to extract the lump, which has reappeared since his last operation.

“Dear friends, it’s with deep sadness that we have to share the news that Musa has been checked into Mediclinic Sandton to have a recurring brain tumour removed,” reads a statement posted on Manzini’s Facebook on 29 June. “We’re hoping to raise enough funds for the hospital to operate on him today. Please donate what you can towards surgery, many thanks in advance.”

Speaking to Music In Africa, Manzini’s manager, Sbu Tshabalala, said doctors advised them that the artist’s condition required an urgent operation. However, Tshabalala said that “the private sector requires a certain amount deposited into their bank accounts before they begin the operation. We would like to thank those that have made donations so far.”

The jazz musician aims to raise about R250 000 ($17 500), and any donations can be deposited or transferred to the following banking details:

Musa Manzini
Capitec Bank
Account number: 1683845089
Branch: 470010

Manzini was born at Inanda, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. In 1995, while at the University of Cape Town, he received the Prof Peter Klatzow Award for composition and orchestration. After graduating with a bachelor of music degree, he spent three years as a part-time lecturer at UCT instructing electric and acoustic bass, jazz theory and improvisation to bridging course students, while at the same time performing and recording as a session musician around the country with musicians like René McLean, Jimmy Dludlu, Jonathan Butler, Gavin Minter, Nhlanhla Magagula, Kevin Gibson, Mark Goliath, Judith Sephuma and Winston Ngozi, among others.

Manzini’s style and sound have been honed by the multi-faceted Cape Flats music scene, mostly the townships of Guguletu, Langa, Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha. He plays the bass as a lead instrument, pioneering in the footsteps of Sipho Gumede, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and John Patitucci. Manzini is also well-versed in acoustic or double bass.