Nicholas Zakaria

Nicholas Zakaria (c. 1956 – 11 December 2025), also known as Madzibaba and Senior Lecturer, was a Zimbabwean sungura musician, guitarist and bandleader. He was best known as the founder and leader of the Khiama Boys, one of the most influential groups in Zimbabwean sungura music, and for mentoring several artists who later achieved major success.^[1][2][3]

Zakaria was born in the Mazowe area of Zimbabwe and became active in music during the 1970s. He later founded and led the Khiama Boys, a band that played a significant role in the development and popularisation of modern sungura music in Zimbabwe.^[2]

Several musicians who later became prominent figures in Zimbabwean popular music began their careers in the Khiama Boys under Zakaria’s leadership. These included Alick Macheso and System Tazvida. His role in developing younger talent earned him the nickname “Senior Lecturer”.^[4]

Zakaria was married to fellow musician Margaret Gweshe. His title “Madzibaba” reflected his apostolic faith and became a defining part of his public image.^[1]

The "Senior Lecturer" had various singles and 23 albums to his name. The albums he released and the years are as per below:

• Kubva Kure (1990)
• Kutambura (1991)
• Kuva nemari (1992)
• Chikumbiro (1993)
• Mabvi nemagokora (1994)
• Ndine Mubvunzo (1995)
• Chiraramo (1996)
• Zviri Mudzimba (1997)
• Yeuchidzo (1998)
• Tokundika here? (1999)
• Mashoko (2000)
• Ramangwana (2000)
• Dzidziso (2001)
• Munongedzo (2003)
• Chiedza (2005)
• Mbuva Yehupenyu (2006)
• Simbiso (2008)
• Ruvheneko (2010)
• Kurapa Nemazwi (2012)
• Rumbidzo (2014)
• Takakomborerwa (Featuring Alick Macheso on two songs) (2017)
• Inzwa Unzwe (2019)
• Musabvunda (2022)

Zakaria died on 11 December 2025 after a period of ill health. Contemporary media reports stated that he had been battling chronic conditions, including diabetes and hypertension, in the months leading up to his death.^[5][6]

• Sungura
• Music of Zimbabwe