POVERTY was his middle name.
Resentment became part of his life as he almost gave up on everything.
Deserted, when he was only nine, and unwanted in his teens, it all looked gloomy.
He says he never thought one day he would rise to become a darling of the country.
However, the hunger to succeed and having faith in God, helped him to rise to the top.
This aptly sums up Star FM’s most sought-after-presenter, DJ Ollah 7’s gruelling journey to the top.
Born Owen Madondo, the presenter conceded he never got it on a silver platter.
He recalled his past after celebrating his 30th birthday in style recently.
“I grew up under the care of my grandmother,” he said.
“She is the one who raised me after taking me from my mother when I was only nine months old.
“Then, I was still breastfeeding and she also took me to school.
“I was staying in the rural areas until I was Form Three.”
DJ Ollah 7 said relocating to the capital did not bring instant joy in his life.
“In 2007, I then came to Harare before enrolling at Zengeza High 1 School.
“Things were still bad, since my mother had remarried, and you know how it is,” said Ollah 7.
He said he never had a special bond with his father.
“I grew up as someone who did not know my family.
“I only saw my father in 2006, when I was doing Form Two.
“From there, I would visit but I did not stay with him.
“So, my life was painful without a father as my mother was struggling somewhere.
“My grandmother was struggling with me as we stayed in a two-roomed house, which I destroyed, and rebuilt a better one for her. “Currently, I now I have my own house and properties.”
The disc jockey, who hosts the Star FM’s After Drive show, said he would take any job.
“I didn’t get it easy in life and I had the guts to take any job.
“At one point, I became a vending tout, ndichisheedzera mumashops ehembe mutown umu, and my first employer was Biggie Chinoperekwei of Divine Assignment.
“I used to work at Bush House along Cameron Street before he opened another shop at corner Chinhoyi and Albion streets.
“I was again touting there and at that time I was a clothing tout and he was the first to be my paymaster.
“While I was there, I was noticed by someone who called me to their supermarket,” he added.
He said he got the life-changing opportunity when he went for the Star FM auditions.
“I went for auditions at Star FM, which were held at Alex Park.
“I arrived only to see about 2800 people.
“Fortunately, I qualified to be in the top eight.
“I thank God, but as someone who grew up in poverty, I can now do my own things. “This year, I decided to do a big birthday bash, in which I chose Chitungwiza since that’s where I grew up after I came from kumusha.
“I have not stayed anywhere except Chitungwiza.
“I planned this bash at Leisure Centre. I did an event which had VIPs and family,” said Ollah.
The young presenter said the bash was meant to unite friends, fans, corporate and family members.
“The reason was to unite my relatives, church, corporate because these people contributed to be what I am today.
“I had several artists, Baba Harare, Vabati vaJehova, Nutty O, Mathias Mhere, Rumbi Zvirikuzhe, BaShupi, Peter Moyo, Mambo Dhuterere, King Shaddy.
“They came to perform for free.
“They came to support me and we had more than 10 000 people.
“I was surprised since I have not done any show like this in my life.
“I felt so humbled, to see such a big number
“My budget was around US$3500 for everything. Some people helped me, but most of the things I did it alone.
“I thank God for helping this,” he added.
He shared his experience in the industry.
“I now have a decade on radio, I am moving with my theme #Rewriting my own history#Changing my narrative.
“The story is based on where I am coming from and where I am going.
“This is based on what happened before, the narrative/ perception which people know about me.
“People should now have a new narrative on me, not Ollah the small name, I was 10 years ago.
“There is the new Ollah, a new brand. I am now on a new level, ndiMwari, I thank you.”
Info News
Medicare Advantage Plans: Benefits, Costs, Networks, and What to Know Before Enrolling
Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part C, best Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Advantage coverage, Medicare Advantage cost, Medicare HMO, Medicare PPO
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Medicare Advantage Plans: What You Need to Know
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Medicare Advantage plans are one of the most popular Medicare coverage choices. They are also one of the most misunderstood.
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A Medicare Advantage plan, also called Part C, is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits. These plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
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Medicare explains that Medicare Advantage plans provide Part A and Part B benefits, and they are generally offered by private companies that contract with Medicare.
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What Does Medicare Advantage Cover?
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Medicare Advantage plans must provide Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. Many plans also include prescription drug coverage, often called MAPD coverage.
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Some plans may also offer extra benefits, depending on the plan and service area.
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These may include:
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Dental
rnVision
rnHearing
rnFitness benefits
rnOver-the-counter allowance
rnTransportation
rnWellness programs
rnMeal benefits after hospital stays
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Benefits vary. Always read the plan documents.
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Types of Medicare Advantage Plans
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Medicare lists several types of Medicare Advantage plans, including HMO, PPO, PFFS, SNP, and MSA plans.
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HMO Plans
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Health Maintenance Organization plans usually require you to use network providers, except in emergencies. You may need referrals for specialists.
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PPO Plans
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Preferred Provider Organization plans usually give more flexibility than HMOs. You may pay less in network and more out of network.
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SNP Plans
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Special Needs Plans are designed for people with certain diseases, specific care needs, or certain financial situations.
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PFFS Plans
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Private Fee-for-Service plans determine how much they pay providers and how much you pay when receiving care.
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MSA Plans
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Medical Savings Account plans combine a high-deductible plan with a medical savings account.
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Medicare Advantage Costs
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Costs vary by plan and location.
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You may pay:
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Monthly premium
rnPart B premium
rnDeductible
rnPrimary care copay
rnSpecialist copay
rnHospital copay
rnDrug copays
rnCoinsurance
rnOut-of-network costs
rnMaximum out-of-pocket amount
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A $0 premium plan does not mean free health care. You may still have copays, coinsurance, drug costs, and network rules.
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Why Provider Networks Matter
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Provider networks are one of the biggest Medicare Advantage issues.
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Before enrolling, confirm:
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Your primary doctor accepts the plan
rnYour specialists are in network
rnYour preferred hospital is covered
rnYour pharmacy is preferred
rnYour medications are covered
rnYou understand referral rules
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Do not rely only on old provider lists. Confirm directly with the provider and the plan.
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Prescription Drug Coverage
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Many Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage.
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Check:
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Medication formulary
rnDrug tier
rnPreferred pharmacies
rnMail-order pricing
rnPrior authorization
rnStep therapy
rnCoverage restrictions
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Medicare Part D helps pay for brand-name and generic drugs, but coverage details vary by plan.
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Medicare Advantage Pros
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Potential advantages include:
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Bundled coverage
rnPossible drug coverage included
rnExtra benefits
rnAnnual out-of-pocket limit
rnCoordinated care
rnLower monthly premium options
rnLocal plan support
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Medicare Advantage Cons
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Potential disadvantages include:
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Provider networks
rnPrior authorization
rnReferral rules
rnOut-of-network costs
rnPlan changes each year
rnLimited travel flexibility
rnDifferent rules by county
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A plan that works well for one person may not work well for another.
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Who May Like Medicare Advantage?
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Medicare Advantage may be attractive for people who:
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Want bundled coverage
rnUse doctors in the plan network
rnPrefer lower monthly premiums
rnWant dental, vision, or hearing extras
rnDo not travel often for care
rnAre comfortable with plan rules
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Who May Want to Compare Carefully?
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Compare carefully if you:
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Travel frequently
rnUse many specialists
rnHave expensive medications
rnNeed out-of-network flexibility
rnReceive care across multiple states
rnHave complex medical conditions
rnPrefer Original Medicare provider access
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Final Thoughts
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Medicare Advantage plans can be a good fit for many people, but you must compare carefully.
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Do not choose based only on premium or extra benefits. Check doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, referrals, out-of-pocket limits, and plan rules.
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The right Medicare Advantage plan should match your real health care life.
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SEO Meta Title Health Insurance for Self-Employed: Plan Comparison Guide
Self-employed workers face a different health insurance challenge than employees with a company plan. Freelancers, consultants, rideshare drivers, small business owners, real estate agents, and independent contractors must compare coverage, costs, networks, and tax issues on their own. The best plan is not always the cheapest monthly premium. It is the plan that fits your health needs, budget, doctors, prescriptions, and risk tolerance.
Start with the total yearly cost, not just the premium. The monthly premium is the amount you pay to keep coverage active, but it is only one part of the expense. You also need to review the deductible, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, prescription costs, and whether your preferred doctors are in network. A low premium plan can be expensive if you need frequent care and the deductible is high.
Plan networks matter. Health maintenance organization plans may have lower premiums but may require you to use a narrower network and choose a primary care doctor. Preferred provider organization plans may offer more flexibility but often cost more. Exclusive provider organization plans and point-of-service plans have their own rules. Before enrolling, search the insurer's current provider directory and confirm directly with important doctors because directories can change.
Prescription coverage can make or break a plan. Review the formulary, which is the insurer's list of covered drugs. Check whether your medications are generic, preferred brand, non-preferred brand, or specialty tier. Also look for prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. A plan with a lower premium can become costly if a key medication is not covered well.
If you rarely visit the doctor and mainly want protection against major medical bills, a higher deductible plan may be worth considering. Some high-deductible plans can be paired with a health savings account if they meet specific rules. A health savings account may offer tax advantages, but eligibility and contribution limits can change, so verify current rules with a qualified tax professional or official sources.
If you expect surgery, pregnancy care, ongoing prescriptions, specialist visits, physical therapy, or regular mental health care, a higher premium plan with lower out-of-pocket costs may be smarter. The best comparison is to estimate your likely yearly medical use and calculate what you would pay under each plan.
Self-employed people should also review subsidies and tax deductions. Depending on income and household size, marketplace plans may qualify for premium tax credits. Income estimates are important because overestimating or underestimating can affect costs and reconciliation at tax time. Self-employed health insurance deductions may also be available, but rules depend on your business structure, profit, other coverage access, and tax situation.
Do not ignore dental and vision coverage. Marketplace medical plans may not include adult dental or vision benefits. If those services matter to you, compare standalone plans or discount programs. Also review whether children need pediatric dental coverage.
Short-term health plans, health care sharing ministries, and limited benefit plans may look attractive because of lower monthly costs, but they may not cover pre-existing conditions, essential health benefits, prescriptions, maternity care, mental health, or major claims the way comprehensive health insurance does. Read exclusions carefully before choosing a nontraditional option.
Open enrollment deadlines are important. You usually need a qualifying life event to enroll outside the regular window. Examples may include losing other coverage, moving, marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, or certain income changes. Rules vary, so check official marketplace guidance for your state.
When comparing plans, make a simple worksheet with columns for premium, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, primary care copay, specialist copay, urgent care, emergency room, prescription tiers, network type, key doctors, key medications, and estimated annual cost. This turns a confusing decision into a side-by-side comparison.
Health insurance is a financial planning decision as much as a medical decision. Self-employed workers need coverage that protects their health and their business income. A plan that keeps care accessible can prevent a medical issue from becoming a financial crisis.
