The saga of child prodigies is ridden with tales of tragedy, trials and tribulations.

The saga of child prodigies is ridden with tales of tragedy, trials and tribulations.

Not surprisingly, prodigies are a difficult lot to handle worldwide because of their exposure to the high life at an early age and the pressures that come with their new-found celebrity status.

Worsening the situation is their inability to deal with constant public adulation and the tough demands of show business schedules.

Their parents find themselves dragged into their child stars' lives because they are expected to exercise control or fulfil their guardianship role over them.

So spare a thought for Msawawa, the child prodigy out in the cold after being dumped by his record company - all because of a life of booze and drugs.

Special effort should be made by record companies to protect and guide prodigies through stardom's challenges.