Prince Chauke

Prince Chauke

Dagga and alcohol nearly ruined the musical career of the once-popular artist Ma-Willies, whose real name is William Makhubela.

Makhubela, of Thula Mabota and Intwenjani fame, told Sowetan in an emotional interview on Saturday that his penchant for dagga and alcohol had a negative affect on him as a musician.

There was a time when he looked too frail to even perform because of the substances.

He spoke to Sowetan shortly before the launch of his new album, Siyazenzela, at the Oasis Lodge in Polokwane on Saturday night.

The rehabilitated Makhubela said he had lost his friends and was even dumped by his recording company Sony-BMG because of his love for dagga and the bottle.

"Mark my words," the Soweto-based musician said, "I will never smoke dagga and drink alcohol again."

"I was addicted to dagga and alcohol, but I thank God that I managed to win this battle.

"I'm now fully focused on my career and I will remain a sober artist for the rest of my life. I nearly died because my lungs were no longer functioning well and I have been in and out of hospital for years. I lost the people I loved in the process and some decided to dump me.

"But I am back on my feet and I will never fall again."

He said his new album will resuscitate his musical career and bring back his fans.

"I urge whoever who is in to drugs to give it up because drugs and alcohol are dangerous. They will take you nowhere," Makhubela said.