‘People thought I was going to die': Da L.E.S opens up about life-changing stroke

News24

6 hours ago

Da L.E.S suffered a stroke on his birthday in July 2024, spent a month unconscious in hospital, and is now sharing his recovery journey to inspire others facing health challenges.
After months of family updates, the rapper personally gave an update via YouTube, showing hospital footage and the rehabilitation process while crediting God for his survival.
Da L.E.S. views his survival as bigger than himself, dedicating his healing journey to motivating others and proving that life-altering events 'can happen to anybody.'
Rapper and Love & Hip Hop SA star Leslie Mampe, popularly known as Da L.E.S, has broken his silence about the stroke that nearly claimed his life in July 2024, sharing an intimate glimpse into his recovery journey.
In a heartfelt video posted on his YouTube channel, Da L.E.S Network, the rapper opened up about his month-long hospital stay and ongoing rehabilitation, marking his first public appearance since the life-altering event.
'I suffered a stroke. People thought I was going to die. I made it. I think right now, it's just to motivate people. People want to know what's wrong with me. I want to help people because shit is real; it can happen to anybody.'
'One minute, you're cool; you're like me; next minute, you experience the worst. I feel like my life has changed, but it ain't the end. This is bigger - I have to do this in my life. I just want to document my life,' Da L.E.S revealed in the emotional video.'
The rapper then detailed the traumatic timeline of events: 'So what happened was I had a stroke, it happened on my birthday, and I woke up a month later. Now, I'm just going with the flow,' he said.
He said a stroke is not something one can control.
'I'm just lucky to be alive. Shout out to all the people that came out. I feel good. I feel happy that I'm still here, but the whole purpose of me filming is to let y'all into my life in a real way, I think, and also just to inspire.'
When Da L.E.S initially missed his birthday celebration in July, his family kept details private, posting a brief statement on his Instagram: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, Da L.E.S will unfortunately not be in attendance at his birthday celebration this evening. Thank you for understanding.'
As concerns grew, the Mampe family issued a more comprehensive statement revealing the severity of his condition: 'Whilst he is in a stable condition, this remains a challenging time for his loved ones, and his family call on the public to keep him in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate this difficult period,' the family said, promising to share updates on Da L.E.S' condition as they became available.
A subsequent update on his Instagram account provided encouraging news about his progress: 'He is receiving rehabilitation and is taking things slow with the support of his loving family.'
Throughout his recovery journey, Da L.E.S has maintained deep gratitude for his survival, crediting his faith above all else. 'I owe it all to God,' he shared, describing his survival as nothing short of miraculous.
The family's most recent statement reflects the overwhelming support the rapper has received during this difficult period: 'Da L.E.S is incredibly thankful for the outpouring of love, support and prayers from his fans, friends, and everyone who's reached out. He will continue to update everyone on his healing process and appreciates all the continued encouragement. Healing takes time, but he's staying positive and focused on full recovery.'