Musician Brenda Fassie is in a stable condition in the Sunninghill hospital in Sandton, Johannesburg, her record company said on Sunday.
”Brenda Fassie’s vital signs of life to date are stable and it is necessary for us to point out that Brenda is not brain dead as it has been extensively reported,” said Leslie Sedibe, legal and business affairs director at EMI Music in a statement.
”However, neurological test have revealed some damage to parts of her brain as a direct result of the lack of oxygen, the extent of which cannot be conclusively determined and it has thus become necessary to conduct further tests,” he said.
Fassie was admitted to the hospital on Monday after ”suffering shortness of breath which according to the doctors led to cardio-respiratory arrest”, Sedibe said.
”The doctors were able to successfully resuscitate her but regrettably, at that stage, she fell into a coma.”
Sedibe said: ”Contrary to earlier reports, Brenda Fassie is still alive.
”Close friends and members of her family remain at her bedside and continue to pray for her life and her speedy recovery.
”At this stage, we ask for calm and appeal to all South Africans to keep Brenda in their prayers.”
Sedibe said the record company would release daily updates on Fassie’s condition, at lunchtime each day.
A Sunday newspaper reported that Fassie’s family had been advised to turn off the life support machine.
Fassie, known as ”the girl with the golden voice”, ”South Africa’s queen of pop” and ”undisputed queen of the vocals”, had been at the forefront of black South African music for 20 years. – Sapa