Veteran Sungura musician Nicholas Zakaria has called rising young Sungura musicians to respect those who have been in the genre for some time.
In an interview with a local radio station on Wednesday , the 66-year-old goatee-bearded Sungura giant said there was the need for the crop of young Sungura musicians to acknowledge the work of the senior musicians.
“My word of advice to the rising Sungura musicians you need to respect the veterans of this genre.
“They have been in the game for some time and if you humble yourselves, they have a lot to share with you that can impact your careers ,”Madzibaba said.
He went on to speak on the Macheso-Ngwazi rivalry saying they are not comparable.
“I don’t where the debate emanates from. The two artistes are good in their own right,”he added.
The musician affectionately known as Madzibaba also cleared the report of Macheso splitting from Khiama Boys due to differences.
“That Macheso split from Khiama Boys because we had disagreed is totally a lie.They had my blessings.
“When I got employed as a truck driver I wanted to raise income so I could buy musical instruments but then the guys reached out to me to say we are now starving can we start to stage shows.
“I okayed that , instructed Alick Macheso to lead the group and when I came back they had already made a name for themselves so I had to assemble new guys for Khiama,”revealed Madzibaba.
Famed for having mentored a number of Sungura musicians earning him the moniker ‘Senior Lecturer’,Madzibaba says among his mentees it is Alick Macheso who always keeps tabs on him.
“From all the people I worked with Macheso is the one who often calls me ‘Mudhara’ checking up on me .He even invites me to his home and sometimes gives me gifts to take back home,”he fondly said of his protégé.