Long journey for sunguras Madzibaba

Sporting a casual golf T-shirt and a simple pair of beige trousers, Zakaria greeted us with the humility hes always been known for, bowing down to signify respect. Then, he started to narrate his three-decade journey in the music industry.

Born in 1957 at Belgownie Estates in Mazowe, Zakaria says: It was at the farm that I was inspired to sing, because my father used to play a box guitar at some parties in the surrounding farms. I then used to steal the guitar and played it in their absence.
At the age of ten, Zakaria said he could play a guitar with proficiency but his parents discouraged him because they perceived it as immoral.

At 18, Zakaria made his decision and, with the late Robson Kaitano, formed the group The Green Mangoes. They performed live but failed to record and Zakaria briefly gave up four years later and became a storekeeper. But in 1980, Zakaria formed Vhuka Boys with the help of Shepherd Chinyani. The group recorded singles, but this did not make much headway against gurus such as John Chibadura, Thomas Mapfumo and Bundu Boys.

In 1984, Zakaria left the Vhuka Boys and formed the Khiama Boys, made up of the late Cephas Karushanga, Levison Chakanyuka, Tineyi Chikupo, Alick Macheso, System Tazvida, and wife Margaret Gweshe. From then on we started making our name. We released hits and competed with the big names like Leonard Dembo, James Chimombe and Marshall Munhumumwe, he said.

In 1997, Khiama Boys split with Aleck Macheso forming the Orchestra Mberikwazvo which was to become one of Zimbabwes most formidable groups. Zakaria said during this period he was not involved full-time in music, as he was concentrating on working as a haulage truck driver. I continued to release albums yearly and, in 2003, I made a comeback. Then I started holding live shows, he said.
Throughout his career, Zakarias music has carried religious messages and social commentary backed by a heavy bass and rhythm guitar sungura beat. On all his albums he has included some Chewa songs to identify with his Malawi origin. With 24 albums to his name, Zakaria, also known as The Senior Lecturer, is currently enjoying success with his latest album, Simbiso, which contains the hit track Ida Anokuda. He has also become known for grooming artists, having mentored Cephas Karushanga, lead guitarist System Tazvida who was to form the Chazezesa Challengers and release several albums before his death in the late 90s, bassist Alick Macheso and drummer Silas Chakanyuka who was to join the late Simon Chimbetu before going to the UK.

But despite this accomplishment, Madzibaba continues to live an average life owning a house in the high density Chitungwiza and driving a Mazda BT-50 double-cab truck, which was given to him by Gramma Records last year as part of their efforts to retain musicians. Also surprising is that Zakaria, who has had so many hit albums, continues to go unrecognised by the Zimbabwean music industry, and has won no awards.
A devout Christian who attends the Mugodhi apostolic sect, Zakaria attributes his long stay in the industry to his faith.

I have always put god first and I know that whatever may come to me it is sanctioned by god, so I will accept it as it is. A father of three, Zakaria says he likes to spend most of his time with his family and in prayers with fellow church members. But he doesnt mince his words when it comes to encouraging musicians to be examples of what they sing about. Musicians sing about being good and they should complement that by leading by example; they should not be seen abusing drugs or quarrelling with each other. They should all live in harmony because what we all seek is to know how best we can live in the world, said Zakaria.

He urged the government to remove customs duty on musical instruments to promote the industry, which he said was being weighed down by the high cost of instruments, piracy and poor attendance at live shows as a result of the cash crunch.