HE’S the guy who’s had South Africans in stitches over the decades, sending people up and ripping everyone off in a series of noholds-barred movies.
But the Leon Schuster of today isn’t finding anything to laugh about. He’s spending his days in bed, swathed in layers of blankets.
Deep furrows are carved into his face and as he tries to sit up he clenches his jaw and lets out a groan. He’s in agony, the 72-year-old veteran entertainer says. “I’ve been through a rough patch, man, through absolute hell,” he tells YOU.
“I’m a bit depressed. This thing has been going on too long – it’s almost 10 months since my first back surgery.”
His ordeal began last August when he went under the knife after injuring himself on the set of one of his movies.
He’d been recovering well until he had a fall that required a second surgery and more recovery. Then complications arose and he’s been confined to bed for weeks ever since.
Leon is scheduled to have another operation – which he hopes will fix things once and for all – but first he has to shed 15kg to make sure he’s in the best shape possible to avoid complications.
Despite his physical problems his spirit remains unbroken. Leon, who relies on a walking stick when he needs to get up, is determined to recover and get to doing what he loves most: making films.
“I’m not in a good place, I’ll be honest with you,” he says. “But I’m in a grateful place. And that’s why I try to lie here in a straight position and keep my spirits up with a bit of light-heartedness.
“I trust in the Lord and the doctors – these are my two sources of strength from which I draw my hope.”
Bu hikaye YOU South Africa dergisinin 9 May 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye YOU South Africa dergisinin 9 May 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Our top picks to listen to and watch
The HOTTEST things in POP CULTURE and ENTERTAINMENT THIS WEEK
QUEEN OF THE COURT
She's just won her fifth Grand Slam title and at 23 tennis star Iga Świątek is only getting started!
WE'RE ON A MISSION TO HELP
The Olifants have started an ambulance service for animals from less fortunate communities
BARBER TO THE BOKS
He's been cutting hair for almost 50 years. But it's the more than 40 jackets and signed jerseys from Springbok players whose hair he's done that make him a cut above the rest
THE SCIENCE OF DEATH
New research into the dying brain suggests the line between life and death may be far less distinct than previously thought
WE TALK ABOUT Colombia's underwater treasure quest
COLOMBIA is launching a historic underwater expedition to explore a ship that sank in the Caribbean more than 300 years ago.
UNFORGETTABLE READS
These new releases all offer something surprising and unexpected
EAT YOUR FILL
Trying to lose weight? Stock up on the foods that trigger the release of the same 'fullness' hormone as the weight-loss drug Ozempic
ROMANTIC RUPERT
Retired media tycoon Rupert Murdoch is a sucker for love and at 93 he's got married - again!
RUNNING STRONG
This Roodepoort mom has lost half her body weight - and she's just done her second Comrades