Veteran Sungura musician Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria believes it is disrespectful to Alick Macheso to compare him with Mark Ngwazi.
The “Senior Lecturer” as he is also known, said Macheso has been in the music industry for many years and has achieved a lot, therefore comparing him with Ngwazi is just not right. He said:
I have heard about the Macheso-Ngwazi debate on radio, streets and even in some sections of the media and I was worried.
Macheso has a rich catalogue of songs that we know as a nation and he has been releasing hits over the years.
He has amassed both fame and fortune due to his creative edge and to compare him with Mark Ngwazi is not right.
I would prefer people who say Mark Ngwazi is good because he is talented but to then compare him with Macheso remains the highest level of disrespect.
The moment you start comparing the two artists, fans will be divided for nothing yet we know for real that Macheso is a legend.
My advice to Ngwazi is for him to remain focused and never to take those comparisons seriously.
Madzibaba, who worked with Macheso at Khiama Boys before he “weaned” him off, said he was the one who taught Ngwazi and another Sungura musician, Simon Mutamba. He said:
I am actually the one who taught Ngwazi and Simon Mutamba and I am happy with their progress.
However, I still dispute that they are better than their elders.
It’s like comparing me to Mukanya who has been there for years.
As an elder, I also have people that I look up to like Mukanya and the late Tuku.
Zakaria said the new crop of Sungura artists should continue working hard and avoid reading much into what people say
“Respect and focus are ingredients needed to succeed”, added Madzibaba.