¨Life had lost meaning…¨ Ben Pol narrates dark days before his son´s birth

Bongo flava artiste, Ben Pol has spoken of days when alcoholism was the order of the day, leading a life without meaning and reckless in his ways.

The Tanzanian musician has for the first time opened up about his life battles that saw him turn to alcohol, to give him comfort and strength to push on.

During an interview with Tanzania´s Simulizi na Sauti, Ben Pol spoke of dark days before the birth of his son – which turned his life 360 degrees.

When in public, he would put on a brave face and to many, he seemed like he was living a life full of butter and milk.

But the minute he was alone, a cloud of sadness creeped into his being.

Ilifika wakati kila kitu hakina maana. Unafanya show unashangiliwa na watu wanomba kupiga picha lakini hauna vibe yoyote. Ukirudi hotelini unaweza hata ukalia. Unapigiwa simu na promoter yaani unongea naye vizuri sana mpaka kazi unapata lakini ukitulia mwenyewe, sadness moja hatari.

Alcoholism

He would drive back home, but under the influence of alcohol and when he arrived safely, he could not understand how that could be.

Nakumbuka nilifika kipindi nilikuwa mpaka natumia vilevi nikiwa nakunywa sana. Unajua ile unaendesha gari ile unatoka Moroko mpaka Mwenge alafu hujui umepitaje. Hukumbuki katikati na wewe ndio uliendesha gari.

It got so bad, despite owning a house at Mbezi Beach, he would instead sleep in his car, at the parking lot of malls.

But with his son, Mali´s birth, life became meaningful and Ben Pol had a reason to live.

Ilifika kipindi nilikuwa nimepanga nyumba nzima Mbezi Beach, lakini nilukuwa naweza park kwenye mall nikalala kwenye mall mpaka asubuhi. So Mali alipozaliwa akaleta kama nuru fulani nikaona kama kila kitu kina maana.