Society Reporter
FOR years, veteran sungura musician and leader of the Khiama Boys Nicholas “Madzibaba’’ Zakaria has been dreaming of setting up an arts school in his beloved Chitungwiza.
After years of frantically trying, but dismally failing, he still refuses to throw in the towel.
“We secured land for the project. What we are now focusing on is funding. I know that the economic environment that we are operating under is not conducive for such projects, but we are not giving up,” he said.
The envisaged arts school will be modelled along the lines of the late national hero Dr Oliver Mtukudzi’s Pakare Paye Arts Centre and will also nurture promising young musicians.
According to Madzibaba, were it not for the coronavirus outbreak, his dream would have been fulfilled by now.
“Up until the coronavirus outbreak, we were doing just fine. We had embarked on thriving horticultural projects. Sadly, the projects failed due to the effects of the coronavirus,” added Zakaria, who also plays an ambassadorial role for Chitungwiza.
For close to 47 years, he has been entertaining multitudes of fans and has also been grooming talented musicians.
The late System Tazvida, Alick Macheso and Lucky Mumiriki, among others, are some of the musicians that enjoyed the tutelage of the left-handed guitarist.
“I groomed many prominent musicians and I feel that I can unearth other gems,” added Madzibaba.
Alick Macheso, who spoke glowingly about his mentor, is fully behind the planned project.
“If I had the money, I would have happily gave it to him. I am what I am today because of him. He is capable of identifying talent and grooming upcoming musicians,” Macheso said.