From Ephraim Joe to Alick Macheso: The Royal Bloodline of Sungura
Sona Headlines Editor | Music & Culture
Sungura was not just background noise; it was the heartbeat of the ghetto. From the dusty streets of Sakubva to the packed stadiums of today, we trace the royal lineage of Zimbabwe's most enduring sound.
The Quiet Architect
Every kingdom has a founding father. In sungura, that man is Ephraim Joe. Just after independence in 1980, people were hungry for a sound that felt like home. Ephraim Joe and his Sungura Boys stepped into that space.
They didn't invent the ingredients—kanindo beats, Congolese soukous, and mbira melodies—but they mixed them into a new, electric sound. The rabbit (sungura) became the symbol: quick, clever, and always one hop ahead.
The Sungura University
The Sungura Boys were more than a band; they were a university. If you had fire in your fingers, you passed through their ranks. The list reads like a hall of fame: John Chibadura, Simon and Naison Chimbetu, System Tazvida, Nicholas Zakaria, Mitchell Jambo, Moses Marasha, Never Moyo.
They rehearsed in small houses in Dzivarasekwa, where Ephraim Joe taught them discipline and how to make a guitar cry and laugh in the same bar.
The Golden Era
Chibadura picked up the torch first. With the Tembo Brothers, he became sungura's first superstar. His voice was "rough velvet," singing about everyday pain in a way that made people feel seen. Legend has it that his performance once moved Apostle Ezekiel Guti so much that it influenced the sound of church music in ZAOGA.
If Chibadura was the heart, Zakaria was the brain. With the Khiama Boys, he brought precision to the genre. It was under his mentorship that a shy young bassist from Chitungwiza named Alick Macheso learned to make the bass guitar speak.
Simon Chimbetu proved sungura could carry weighty ideas. He sang about politics and love with poetry that made you stop and think, even while your feet refused to stand still. His voice followed Zimbabweans wherever they scattered—London, Botswana, South Africa.
System Tazvida was the philosopher with a wicked sense of humor. His lyrics cut straight to the bone, singing about unemployment and late love, making you laugh through the tears. We lost him too young in 1999.
The King Arrives
And then, finally, the king arrived. Alick Macheso didn't just join the story; he rewrote the ending. Stepping out with Orchestra Mberikwazvo, he did something revolutionary: he made the bass guitar the star. He took Chibadura’s connection, Zakaria’s discipline, Chimbetu’s storytelling, and Tazvida’s depth, added unprecedented showmanship, and built an empire.
"Even today, when he walks onto a stage, the air changes."
Join the Discussion
Who is your favorite Sungura legend? Let's keep the conversation alive.
Match Panels to Inverter
Tips for optimal system performance.
3.5kVA Inverter Load Guide
Explore residential setup capabilities.
Best Solar Panels Zimbabwe
Analysis of performance and durability.
Solar Companies Zimbabwe
Customer service and reliability.
Best Solar Panel Brands
Guide for home and business solutions.
Solar Installers Zimbabwe
Professional and certified installers.
3kVA System Cost Guide
Get pricing information for Zimbabwe.
5kVA System Cost Guide
Budget requirements for systems.
David (Solar Sales)