MZANSI soul singer Kaylow makes remarkable recovery progress.
More than a year after a car accident that left him wheelchair-bound and in constant pain, Kaylow has achieved a major milestone.
The singer, whose real name is Kelello Segoana, is driving again.
The Soul Café hitmaker, known for his smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics, spent months in hospital following the accident that severely damaged his pelvis.
The road to recovery, both physically and emotionally, has not been easy.
Kaylow's resilience, grounded in his faith and love for music, has helped him rise against all odds.
In an interview with Daily Sun, he opened about the toll the ordeal has taken on him.
"I've been challenged. My mental health is something I'm fighting for. I'm trying to do as much as I can to keep myself in the right mind.
"So, I even stand up when I perform. Me standing up when performing is a message to God. I'm saying I want to walk, dance and run again. The pain is constant, but I keep trying," he said.
While many milestones in his recovery have been symbolic, one literal step forward has been getting back behind the wheel.
ALSO READ | Kaylow: 'They wanted to certify me dead'Opens in new window
"I recently started driving again. I started with an automatic transmission gearbox car. It made me stiff. So, I went back to my 325i build and felt at home. At first, thoughts of anxiety and fear wanted to creep in, but I told myself I was in control and feared nothing. As a praying man, I know that no weapon formed against me shall prosper."
Though he limits how often and far he drives, each trip represents progress and independence.
"I don't drive too often or far off distances, but once in a while, I drive," he said.
Through his journey, Kaylow has come to understand the importance of emotional empathy and compassion.
"I've learned that we need to be empathetic towards each other. People are going through battles, and not all battles are obvious. Some battles are private, others silent. It's important for us to have empathy because depression is real, and people die under these conditions," he said.
This renewed perspective has also found its way into his music.
"My new music is in sync with the strings of my heart. It's not forced. It flows. I must stay positive. Not only in the eyes of my fans and the public but within the music. The music is now based on my life experience and also what I've seen some people go through. It's not a small thing," he said
Kaylow also expressed deep gratitude to his fans.
"I've become closer with my fans. I get to have conversations about life and God with them on social media, at times, in person after performances. Sometimes, I feel really low, and my fans pick me up," he said.
"I had a fan of mine who asked to pray for me after a performance, and I agreed. She prayed so hard that I was moved and felt spiritually uplifted. For a moment, I forgot where I was and was deep in prayer."
