Macheso Halts Tour to Mourn "Father" Zakaria
Respecting the Senior Lecturer
Alick Macheso, the King of Sungura, has suspended his weekend schedule to pay his last respects to the man who shaped his career, Nicholas "Madzibaba" Zakaria. Macheso described the loss as shaking the entire Sungura fraternity.
Show Updates
The following events have been cancelled as a mark of respect:
FRIDAY (CANCELLED)
Chivhu
Phil-Jen County Lodge
SATURDAY (CANCELLED)
Mutoko
Blueridge Restaurant (Mutoko Road)
Macheso Speaks
Taking to social media, Macheso addressed his "Vatsigiri" (supporters) directly:
"Vatsigiri, tine hurombo nekumisa mamwe ema shows atanga takaronga vhiki rino."
(Fans, we are sorry for cancelling some of the shows we had planned for this week.)
He promised that more updates regarding his schedule would be shared in due course.
A Father & Son Bond
The relationship between Macheso and Zakaria dates back decades. Macheso regards Madzibaba not just as a fellow musician, but as a father figure and mentor.
Zakaria was instrumental in shaping Macheso's early career during their time together in the Khiama Boys, where Macheso honed the bass guitar skills that would later make him a legend in his own right.
Macheso joins the nation in mourning, noting that the passing of the "Senior Lecturer" has left a void that cannot be filled. By cancelling his shows, Macheso honors the tradition of respect for those who paved the way.
Alick Macheso: The Student Who Became a Master
Alick Macheso began his professional music journey at just 15 years old when he joined Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria’s Khiama Boys. It was here that Macheso was moulded under strict discipline, musical structure, and deep cultural storytelling.
Spending nearly 14 formative years with the band, Macheso developed his now-iconic lead bass guitar style, a sound that would later redefine sungura music in Zimbabwe and beyond.
During Macheso’s time as a core member of the Khiama Boys, the band released several influential albums that dominated airwaves and established sungura as a mainstream genre.
- Kubva Kure (1990) – Achieved gold status and marked a new chapter for the band.
- Kutambura (1991) – Featured a standout bass performance that spotlighted Macheso’s talent.
- Kuva Nemari (1992) – Included multilingual tracks like Ayude.
- Chikumbiro (1993) – A radio favourite that cemented their dominance.
In 1997, Macheso branched out to form Orchestra Mberikwazvo, a move that transformed him into one of Zimbabwe’s most commercially successful musicians.
Albums such as Simbaradzo achieved record-breaking sales, while Macheso’s lyrical depth, social commentary, and stage presence earned him a loyal international following.
Despite pursuing separate careers, Macheso and Nicholas Zakaria maintained a relationship rooted in respect, gratitude, and collaboration. Zakaria often referred to himself as the “cradle” of Macheso’s career.
They collaborated on songs such as “Mira Pako” and shared stages on multiple occasions, reinforcing a bond that transcended competition.
Following the passing of Nicholas Zakaria, Macheso described the loss as a “deep and painful wound”. He cancelled performances, led emotional tributes, and personally attended the funeral to honour the man who shaped his destiny.
For many fans, Macheso’s actions reaffirmed his role not just as a superstar, but as a custodian of sungura tradition and values.
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