A DARK cloud has befallen Southern Province and the Zambian Art Industry following the death of a young creative who died in the early hours of today after he was involved in a road traffic accident.
James Saidi, 29 of Dambwa North compound in Livingstone district was a well known face and name to almost every supporter of art in Southern Province and beyond, as the young man was a poet, event host and comedian.
His stage name, ‘Uncle Jimmie’ meant people were ready to laugh from some rib cracking jokes each time the name was mentioned.
James attended St Mark’s Secondary School where he was popular for poetry and drama acting skills.
However, this morning, James went together with his talent.
Around 04:00 hours, he was driving a Toyota Corolla motor vehicle bearing registration AJB 7794 along Kafue road near St. Theresa Catholic Church where he was involved in a road traffic accident.
Southern Province Police Commanding Officer, Auxensio Daka said James was driving under high speed and ended up losing control of the vehicle and failed to negotiate a cave which saw him being careered off road to the left side and went to hit into the tree.
Daka said the accident left James with a cut on the forehead and general body pains which saw him being admitted to Livingstone Teaching Hospital for treatment while the vehicle had its front part extensively damaged.
His passenger, identified as Loveme Chitambo aged 34 years of house number DNC 174, Dambwa North Livingstone also sustained cuts on the left hand and right eye and general body pains and was also admitted in the same hospital.
Unfortunately, shortly after a few hours of admission, James succumbed to his injuries.
He died around 07:00 hours.
“James Saidi who admitted to Livingstone Teaching Hospital has passed on today at about 07:00 hours and the body has been deposited in the mortuary awaiting for postmortem,” said Daka.
The announcement of James’ death has left many of his friends, supporters and colleagues in shock as they have flooded social media to mourn him.