Twelve (12) years later, Beninese singer Belmonde Z still remembers the accident that nearly cost him his life. He shared this recollection through a post on his Facebook page on Sunday, January 7, 2024.
It has been exactly 12 years since Beninese Salsero Belmonde Zinsou, better known by his stage name Belmonde Z, along with many other Beninese artists, were involved in a road accident. This accident, which nearly took Belmonde Z’s life, remains etched in his memory, and he recalls it vividly.
In a lengthy message posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, January 7, 2024, the Beninese Salsero reflected on that fateful day. “January 7, 2012 – January 7, 2024. 12 years today that my world plunged into darkness when an accident forever marked my life. I am physically diminished, but thanks to God and the spirits of my ancestors, I escaped the worst. The memories intertwine in a whirlwind of emotions, the sounds of the collision still echoing in my thoughts. The worried faces of the witnesses, the distant sirens of the ambulances, all remain engraved in my mind like an invisible scar.
Every detail of that day remains vivid, from the tire skid on the asphalt to the dazzling lights of the headlights that suddenly invaded the darkness. The coldness of the metal against my skin, the acrid smell of smoke, everything seems to emerge out of nowhere, like fragments of a persistent nightmare,” expressed Belmonde Z in his post.
He continued by revealing the emotions that filled him during this difficult period. “The following days were filled with deep reflection and gratitude mixed with sadness. The fragility of life revealed itself brutally, and every moment became an opportunity to thank fate for a second chance. These painful memories also shaped my resilience, reminding me that even in the shadow of tragedies, there is the possibility of rebirth and finding the light,” added the Beninese Salsero.
Finally, he expressed his gratitude to all those who supported him during these difficult moments in his life. “Infinite gratitude to all of you who assisted me, through your prayers, donations, and gestures,” concluded Belmonde Z.
As a reminder, on January 7, 2012, returning from a collective concert, a delegation of Beninese artists, including Belmonde Z and many others, were involved in a road accident in Dassa in the Collines department. After several weeks of hospitalization at the Ouémé-Plateau Departmental Hospital where he underwent leg surgery, he was transferred to the Hubert Koutoukou Maga University Hospital in Cotonou due to a dramatic decline in his post-operative health. Fortunately, after months of convalescence, he recovered.
