Fresh details have emerged surrounding the health battle of Mkubwa Fella, the former manager of Tanzanian music superstar Diamond Platnumz, revealing that the award-winning artiste has allegedly spent more than KSh10 million on Fella’s medical treatment.
The revelations come amid growing public debate and emotional accusations over whether Fella; once one of the most influential figures behind several successful Tanzanian artistes has been abandoned in his hour of need.
Mkubwa Fella continues to battle serious health complications, a situation that has triggered an outpouring of sympathy as well as finger-pointing within the entertainment industry.
The controversy gained momentum after Sweet Fella, the manager’s wife, went public with a heartbreaking account, claiming that while her husband played a key role in nurturing numerous artistes, he has since been left to suffer in silence.
“When he was well, his phone would never stop ringing. Today, nobody calls him anymore,” she lamented, sparking backlash against artistes perceived to have turned their backs on a man who once opened doors for them.
Media personality Mwijaku added fuel to the debate, asserting that many of Tanzania’s biggest stars passed through Mkubwa Fella’s hands before achieving fame, only to disappear when he needed support the most.
Mwijaku, however, singled out Diamond Platnumz, saying that while the singer had initially helped by facilitating Fella’s medical trip to India, he should never have completely stepped away from the situation.
But Diamond’s camp has hit back strongly.
Don Fumbe, Diamond Platnumz’s finance manager, dismissed claims of neglect, insisting that the Bongo Flava heavyweight has consistently supported his former manager both financially and logistically.
According to Fumbe, Diamond personally funded Fella’s medical treatment, including a specialised medical trip to India, where the entire accompanying team flew on business class tickets from Dar es Salaam.
“Diamond asked for a WhatsApp group to be created so that all medical needs and updates could be shared transparently,” Fumbe said, adding that Diamond also raised $10,000 (approximately KSh1.3 milllion), which was handed separately to Sweet Fella for family upkeep, not medical expenses.
Fumbe further revealed that Diamond stepped back only after accusations emerged from some family members claiming he was no longer answering their calls; despite evidence of continued financial support.
“There are many instances where Diamond gave out money for this cause,” Fumbe told Bongo Five.