Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
THE smile of the late musician Mabamura — born Fadza Chikukwa Saungweme — was more than an expression.
It was a presence.
Warm, genuine, and unshakably constant, it had the power to fill a room before he even spoke.
Today, that smile survives only in memory, etched in the hearts of those who knew him, worked alongside him, and danced to his music.
Mabamura’s rise to national fame came through his collaboration with Baba Harare on the hit Stumbo.
The track became an anthem, dominating radio and television and lifting spirits during the dark days of Covid-19. Dance floors erupted, families sang along, and for a moment, life felt lighter.
But last week, tragedy struck. Mabamura’s life ended suddenly after a fall into a mining shaft in Penhalonga.
He was 46.
Born in Bocha, Marange, Manicaland, Mabamura was more than a performer. He was a storyteller, a joyful spirit who found purpose in sharing his gift.
His music grew from humble beginnings, yet his talent was impossible to ignore.
In Manicaland, his songs became woven into daily life — played at weddings, community gatherings, and celebrations. They were not just heard; they were lived.
Hits like Yakapenga Dear, Ndakanhongwa Ndafa, and Masoja EkwaChiyadzwa cemented his place in Zimbabwe’s musical landscape.
Each track carried stories of love, struggle, and joy, resonating with people across generations.
News of his passing spread quickly, leaving shock and disbelief in its wake. For many, it is hard to accept that a man so full of life, whose smile and music brought joy to countless homes, is gone.
Mabamura’s legacy, however, endures — in the rhythms that lifted spirits, in the lyrics that told everyday stories, and in the smile that will never fade from memory.
Messages of grief poured in, especially on social media, where fans and fellow artists struggled to come to terms with the loss.
Among those deeply affected was Baba Harare, who shared an emotional message expressing both shock and sorrow.
He spoke of the loss, not just as a fellow artiste, but as part of a family bound by music. His words reflected the confusion and pain that many were feeling.
Fans also shared their memories, recalling moments when Mabamura’s music had touched their lives.
One follower wrote about how news of someone’s passing brings back a flood of memories, reminding people of the importance of cherishing every connection while there is still time. It was a simple but powerful reflection that captured the mood of many.
At home, the pain is even deeper.
His aunt, Cibel Marange, who hails from Marange, told Weekender Entertainment in a telephone interview that Mabamura was the light of the family.
She said he was a man who always brought joy and laughter. Even in Penhalonga, where he worked, he would entertain his colleagues with music, turning ordinary moments into something special.
“It is very difficult for us as a family to accept that he is no more. Mabamura was not just a relative, he was our joy, our light and the one who always brought smiles into our home. He was always happy, always joking, always making sure everyone around him felt at peace. Even during hard times, he would find a way to lift our spirits. That is the kind of person he was. What hurts us the most is that his life ended so suddenly and in such a painful way. We were not prepared for this loss. It has left a deep wound in our hearts that will take a long time to heal. He had so much life ahead of him, so much music still to share with the world,” she said.
She added: “Even where he was working in Penhalonga, people tell us he would entertain his workmates with music, just like he did at home. That shows the kind of spirit he carried everywhere he went. As a family, we are devastated. The gap he has left can never be filled. We have truly lost someone special. He would cheer us up. He was our shining light. This is a painful loss for all of us.”
Mabamura was laid to rest on Sunday in Bocha, Marange, at Chinowaita Village, the place he called home.
As family, friends and fans gathered to say their final goodbyes, there was a deep sense of loss, but also gratitude for the life he lived and the joy he shared.
