Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
IN October 2013, Mutare fell silent.
The rhythm that had once echoed from its dusty streets to the hilltops of Dangamvura dimmed as one of its brightest sons, Nyika Jamal Mataure, fondly known simply as Jamal, breathed his last.
He was only 37.
For three long years, Jamal had battled motor neuron disease — a cruel and unrelenting illness that gradually robbed him of the ability to move, speak, and eventually breathe.
Yet, even as his body weakened, his spirit never faltered, and his music continued to inspire.
Born on July 17, 1976, in Mozambique, Jamal’s life was a journey woven between hardship and hope.
He moved to Dangamvura, Mutare, at a young age, where his love for music began to blossom. At Rujeko Primary School in the dusty streets of Dangamvura, teachers quickly noticed his sharp ear for melody.
Later, at Mount St Mary’s School in Hwedza, Jamal was the learner who could turn any surface into an instrument — desks, doors, even empty tins.
Music lived in him.
After completing his education, Jamal threw himself fully into the world of music, navigating a young Zimbabwean music industry that was both promising and punishing.
His earliest gigs were small — local shows, weddings, community events — but those who watched him perform saw something special. His mastery of the keyboard and his lyrical depth were unlike anything Mutare had seen.
Jamal did not just play; he spoke through the notes. His defining moment came with the release of the unforgettable duet, “Kurwizi”, featuring the talented Betty Makaya.
The song swept across the nation like wildfire, finding a home in every household and every commuter omnibus.
“Kurwizi” was more than a song.
It was a feeling, a love story, a moment in time. Yet, as often happens in the music world, fame did not translate into fortune.
Many mistook the track for Makaya’s own, and Jamal’s name faded into the background even as his creation soared to national acclaim.
He often spoke candidly about his frustrations.
In one interview, with Weekender Entertainment in 2011, he confessed that the plug track, “Kurwizi” changed lives, but it did not change his.
“The music industry can be thankless, but I still thank God for the gift of music,” declared Jamal.
That humility defined Jamal — a man who created, not for wealth, but for legacy.
Beyond “Kurwizi”, Jamal’s unreleased and lesser-known works revealed an artiste of immense depth.
Songs like “Mwana Wechikoro”, “Dzinomwa MunaZambezi”, and “Moza” displayed his range — from soulful ballads to socially conscious tracks that reflected the struggles and triumphs of everyday Zimbabweans.
At the time of his passing, Jamal had over 50 unrecorded songs, and was working on a comeback album with a Mozambican producer. The project included heartfelt titles such as “Baba Tavakunorara”, “Mira Padoko”, “Menina”, and “Mwana Wechikoro”.
Sadly, the album was never completed, yet those who heard snippets described it as some of his most mature and moving work.
Despite his illness, Jamal’s passion never waned.
Friends recall how, even when his hands trembled, he would still sit at his keyboard, pressing each note slowly, determined to keep the music alive.
His resilience became a beacon for younger artists in Mutare, many of whom credit him for inspiring their own careers.
In 2014, a year after his death, the Courtauld Theatre became the stage for a touching tribute — a commemoration gala in his honour.
The event brought together Zimbabwe’s top talents — Maskiri, Extra Large, Madiz, Silver Vee, Mzimba, Flexxo, and Assegai Crew, all united by their love for the man whose melodies had once moved mountains.
Today, over a decade later, Jamal’s legacy still lives on.
His music continues to play on radio stations, in nostalgic playlists and in the hearts of fans who grew up to the sound of his keys.
For Mutare, Jamal is, not just a memory, but a symbol of artistic brilliance and quiet resilience.
