Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
SHOWBIZ gurus, music promoters and administrators believe it is not too late for Madzibaba Nicholas Zakaria’s widow, Margaret Gweshe, to reconcile with her nephew, Lazarus Zakaria, amid a bitter dispute over the Khiama Boys brand and the late musician’s legacy.
The pair has dominated headlines after Madzibaba’s widow, now using the name Margaret Chiroro, exclusively told our sister paper, The Sunday Mail, that she never authorised Lazarus to use the Khiama Boys name.
She also demanded that Lazarus stop performing her late husband’s songs at live shows and vowed to take legal action to protect the family’s interests.
On the other hand, Lazarus’ camp has declined to comment publicly on the matter but remains defiant, insisting it will not take the widow’s threats seriously.
The camp has also been posting videos on social media claiming to be the legitimate representatives of Khiama Boys, a move that has further fuelled the feud.
Despite the escalating tensions, arts experts believe there is still room for dialogue and reconciliation between the warring parties.
They noted that although Lazarus reportedly last visited the widow in December last year, he has continued to pursue his own agenda alongside former Khiama Boys members who worked closely with Madzibaba during his final years.
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has called for sanity to prevail within the Zakaria family, urging those involved to follow the proper procedures if the late music legend left a roadmap outlining how he wanted his affairs handled.
“I have come across the issue where Madzibaba Zakaria’s widow was complaining about their nephew, Lazarus, saying he has taken over Khiama Boys. I think people should understand that intellectual property is an asset, and being an asset, it belongs to someone. When a person dies, there are proper procedures regarding the administration of such assets,” Communications and Marketing Manager for NACZ Aggabu Nyabinde said.
“In this case, Madzibaba Zakaria was a member of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), and when a member dies, there is usually a will indicating who is supposed to inherit the rights to his music. Therefore, I think the best way forward is to first establish who is entitled to those rights.”
The administrator also called for dialogue between the two parties.
Asked whether Madzibaba’s widow was justified in barring Lazarus from using the Khiama Boys name and performing the late music legend’s songs, he added:
“At the moment, we need to establish who owns the intellectual property now that Madzibaba is no longer here. If neither of them is the nominated beneficiary, then they need to seek approval from the rightful beneficiary named in Madzibaba’s will.”
Veteran music promoter, mediator and visionary Josh Hozheri believes the dispute can be resolved through dialogue, humility and mutual respect.
“Every dispute has a solution, and I urge both parties to come to the table, discuss what separates them and then seek a permanent solution that is fair to both sides and produces a win-win outcome,” Hozheri told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
Asked whether Lazarus had done the right thing by taking over Khiama Boys, with or without the widow’s blessing, Hozheri asserted:
“Lazarus should talk to the widow and reach an agreement. I know tempers and emotions are still high, but that is where arts bodies such as the National Arts Council should intervene.
“Dialogue should be the panacea. It is an ecosystem that requires everyone for the betterment of the product. Music should be the winner.”
Fellow musician-cum-promoter Brian “Eastern Igwe” Samaita, who worked closely with Madzibaba as a truck driver and also promoted the late singer in Mozambique, also called for dialogue.
He believes Madzibaba’s younger brother, Zacharia Zakaria, has a key role to play in resolving the matter.
