He may be out of the limelight but fans still long for the once popular kwaito star’s return.

A letter written by a fan using Pearl Modiadie’s name on Facebook sparked a debate on social media about the music industry and it’s ‘evils’ with many asking other musicians to help Zola get back to his glory years.

This is the letter that started it all:

“Izolo lokhu U were making people's dreams come true. U fed the needy with your kids money. U travelled countries representing South Africa as a servant, leaving abo Mvelo, Lwandle, Bambatha, Nyezi emuva with no one protecting your family against all odds.

U cried daily when u heard stories of infants whom are not being taken care of. U stood up and influenced big Companies like Cell C to help U feed the needy and the orphans. U left your mother waya emazweni...

U took out money from your own pocket and paid school fees of girls from Tanzania ( Dara Salam) who were prostitutes and they changed since that day to become an asset to that country.

U represented South Africa in African Countries until u were honoured by the Shakur family as the 2pac wase Mzansi. Nkosi sikelela I Africa if this is how we going to honour and celebrate our heroes downfall... Zola I believe in u, I don't care what the media is saying about U.

This is not a downfall to U... This is a temporary set back. U'll bounce back. Ngizokulinda uzubuye.The devil and his people ngeke balunge. Qina ndoda ekhaya babheke wena. I wish Steve Biko was still alive to see this stupid journalist who celebrate the downfall of a black man... not just a man but a Hero to many. I salute u.”

Journalist Mduduzi Dlamini then took to Twitter to have his say on the matter:

“Zola remains an instructive cautionary lesson:in addition to his groundbreaking music he dedicated his TV show as the Oprah of The Hopeless. Four seasons on South African TV helping the poor and the hopeless achieve their dreams.

What did Zola get in return? Ridicule and mockery.Where are countless persons that Zola helped? Where're their families? They used his fame to get what they want and disappeared into sunset.

Zola is still performing apparently in rural areas.Though his music was always a young man's music, he cannot record new music with credibility.”

Everyone loves a good comeback story and if recent calls from fans are anything to go by; the return of Zola 7 is something many South Africans wish for.

@Real_StaX: Bonginkosi Dlamini #Zola7 is one of my role model and Idol, I really look up to that guy... Would love to see me back on his feet!!!

@anita_manyisane: I strongly believe that Zola7 would come back and still be relevant in the music scene