SA actor Andile Gumbi in critical condition after heart attack in Israel

Former Isibaya star turned The Lion King actor Andile Gumbi recently suffered a heart attack while working on a theatre production in Israel.

All Africa reports that Gumbi was working on a production called Daniel The Musical in which he plays the lead role of King Nebuchadnezzar.

The production team confirmed the news in a statement released via their Facebook page.

“The South African actor and cast member of Daniel The Musical, Andile Gumbi, 36, currently playing at the Jerusalem Theatre in Jerusalem, fell ill suddenly on Tuesday and was taken to hospital. In the early morning, he deteriorated and suffered a cardiac arrest, but the medical personnel at Shaare Zedek Medical Centre managed to successfully resuscitate him. His present condition is critical,” read part of the statement.

The production team went on to say that it was comforting to know that Gumbi was receiving “the best medical care in the world as he is fighting for his life and the medical professionals are trying to determine the cause of his condition”.

They also asked that people pray for his speedy and full recovery.

“Our main priority now is to get Andile’s wife to him from South Africa and to ensure that we support him to the best of our ability. Thank you to all those who have supported us with prayers, words of encouragement. We came here to be a blessing to Israel and now find ourselves being blessed by Israel,” added the production team.

Although the show was initially suspended last week as a result of Gumbi’s ill health, it has since resumed while he recovers.

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