Musician Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria was laid to rest at his family shrine in Chiweshe on Sunday, in a ceremony that reflected his deep cultural roots. He was buried according to Muslim rites.
In keeping with village traditions, Zakaria’s coffin was destroyed, and he was wrapped in a white cloth, as prescribed by the elders who oversaw the proceedings.
Despite his Christian faith, his relatives insisted on following traditional practices, showing respect for local customs. Women were barred from the burial site in line with cultural rules.
The 69-year-old musician left a lasting mark on the music industry, particularly in the Sungura genre.
Alick Macheso, one of his key protégés, described him as a father figure and expressed deep sorrow at his passing.
Notably, some prominent figures, including Charles Charamba and Jah Prayzah, were absent from the ceremony.
Zakaria also did not receive government recognition or a state-assisted funeral, unlike other music icons such as Oliver Mtukudzi, who was declared a national hero, and Soul Jah Love, who was given Liberation Hero status.
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