Online Reporter
THE country has been plunged into mourning following the death of sungura godfather Madzibaba Nicholas Zakaria.
He was 66.
We agree with his family that Madzibaba Zakaria left an indelible mark on the music world with his inspiring voice and dedication to his craft. It’s also clear that his legacy will live on through his music and he will be deeply missed by fans. We have seen a number of heartfelt tributes pouring in from all over the country.
He is widely celebrated as one of Zimbabwe’s most influential sungura pioneers and it’s normal that his death has sent shockwaves across the music industry.
We have seen how fans have flooded social media with condolence messages honouring this great man who was also affectionately known as the Senior Lecturer.
Many have described him as a “gentle giant” of the arts — a cultural icon whose mentorship and humility shaped generations of artists. Prominent musicians, promoters, church leaders and community figures have also been paying tribute, highlighting the respect Madzibaba commanded – both on and off the stage.
Fans have been expressing their heartbreak, posting clips of his classic hits and reflecting on the role his music played in their upbringing.
Sulumani Chimbetu said Madzibaba Zakaria was not only a pioneer of sungura but a guiding light whose influence shaped generations of artists.
He said his dedication, humility and unmatched craftsmanship built a legacy that will forever stand as a pillar in Zimbabwean music.
He said he was speaking on behalf of the Chimbetu family and the entire musical community when he extended his heartfelt condolences to the Zakaria family, friends and fans. We have also heard from prominent football fan Chris Romario Musekiwa who has described Madzibaba Zakaria as a true hero of the arts.
He said his death was a huge loss to the music fraternity not only in Zimbabwe but throughout the region.
Musekiwa said Madzibaba Zakaria’s legacy will live through the musicians he mentored, with sungura superstar Alick Macheso top of that family tree.
There is no question that Madzibaba Zakaria is an icon when it comes to music in this country and his death is a massive blow for the industry. That he was a great musician is clear for everyone to see but what is not celebrated, as much as it should be, is how he managed to nurture a number of our artists and transformed them into superstars.
We have a tendency to just look at him as a great artist and ignore the fact that he was also a great teacher and his hand helped launch and build the careers of some of our best artists. Macheso is very clear about the part which Madzibaba Zakaria played in shaping his career and transforming him into a superstar.
This is something that we should all be celebrating and it’s unfortunate that the great hand of the Senior Lecturer will not be there anymore to help the next generation of our artists.
