Story by Patience Nyagato
RENOWNED sungura musician Nicholas Zakaria will be buried in Chiweshe on Sunday, as tributes continue to pour in for the man widely credited with shaping Zimbabwe’s contemporary music landscape.
Zakaria, affectionately known as Madzibaba and celebrated for his masterful guitar work, leaves behind a legacy that spans decades. His influence earned him the nickname “Senior Lecturer” for mentoring generations of artists who passed through his hands.
Musicians, fans and industry stakeholders have been honouring the late guitarist, whose lyrical storytelling and disciplined approach to the arts left a lasting imprint on Zimbabwean music.
His mentorship has been hailed by artists ranging from sungura giant Alick Macheso, with whom he performed during the Kiama Boys era, to younger musicians such as Simon Mutambi. Many credit Zakaria with teaching not only technical musical skills but also guiding them through the demands and challenges of life in the creative sector.
On social media, Zimbabweans continue to express sorrow at his passing, describing him as a humble artist whose music offered real-life lessons, comfort and inspiration across generations.
Zakaria’s burial in Chiweshe is expected to draw a large gathering of fans, fellow musicians and community members paying their final respects to one of Zimbabwe’s most enduring music figures.
“Alick, I’m so happy how you treated Madzibaba. You took him as your own father. We hear you never left him in thick and thins of this life till his last moment with us. The spirit you portrayed to him and his family is what brings good legacy that lasts forever. Keep on holding the hand of Mama Zakaria. Your brother Zakaria Zakaria needs you more now than ever. I hope the passing on of Madzibaba will even narrow the gap between you and his family if at all there was one. I passionately wanted to see you and Madzibaba here in Malawi, enjoying your melodies and rhythms. I wish you God’s comfort during this hard time. May our legend rest eternally well in our Lord’s Mercy, love and peace,” Frank Khanyile (Facebook)
“Legends don’t die,they rest!!!!,” Kimberly Malatjie (Facebook)
“Rest in peace senior lecturer. It was yesterday when played your music as I was driving the whole day. Little did I know that I will be hit by sad news of your crossing to the yonder mountains. The comforting thing is that you instructed, guided, taught and shaped the world through music. Your wisdom will live on decades and decades. Go well the great teacher,” Anord Munkombwe – (Facebook)
