Entertainment Africa
South African singer and musician Emo Adams’ best friend, Sury Boltman, was recently diagnosed with Covid-19.
The two men have known each other for 25 years and met when Emo started the singing group JAG, which Sury was also a member of.
“I think the friendship maybe started because we both come from poor backgrounds,” Emo says. “We could relate to each other because I had the same issues in my life that he’d had in his. He’s like the brother I never had and I can always confide in him.”
Sury and his family now live in Lisbon, Portugal, but he and Emo speak often on video chat. They always make sure to see each other over the holidays at the end of each year. Sury and his family spent last Christmas in South Africa with Emo and his family.
Sury was one of the crew members on the Costa Magica cruise ship whose passengers and crew were placed under quarantine in mid-March.
“He was a singer on the ship and let us know there’d been a Covid-19 outbreak on board. But he didn’t know if he could leave the ship, so he stayed strong,” Emo says.
“He’d actually informed me about it before he knew he had Covid-19. He later had himself tested for the coronavirus, which causes Covid-19, and tested negative. But when he had a second test done, he tested positive. So that just goes to show the virus acts differently in each body type and system.”
Emo recently spoke to his friend, who says he’s doing much better. “He’s having some difficulty breathing but he’s already worked out a schedule of how he wants to quit smoking. I know he’ll find a way to get over the Covid-19 thing,” Emo says.
He says people tend to underestimate how dangerous the coronavirus is and how great a role it now plays in our lives.
“All people hear is that they must stay home. But by staying home, the chances of the disease spreading are limited,” he says.
To raise awareness of the crisis, Emo recently posted a pic on Facebook of his friend with the caption: “Today’s post I dedicate to my bestie, Sury Boltman, who is fighting Covid-19. It’s not always easy but it’s worthwhile. Let’s fight this together for our families. Love you, my brother.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_KA101pVNP/?utm_source=ig_embed
He tells YOU: “I wanted people to know that it can affect anyone and that we’ll get through it, even if that means we have to stay at home for another 21 days.”
Emo says he’ll do anything to keep his family and loved ones safe at this time.
“Yes, we’re losing money but would we rather lose our lives?” he says.
Sury has since said on Facebook that he’s recovered from Covid-19.
