Mourning Geoffrey Zigoma
Some people believe that people who are about to die foresee their fate and that they foretell it through their actions. This, to some extent, has been evident among Malawian musicians.
The late Vic Marley died in a road accident after doing his popular hit Traffic Police which talks about death caused by a road accident.
Before breathing his last, Paul Chaphuka, who spent months struggling with health complications, also did Amai Maria, a hit that predicted his death and expressed his wish to see paradise. He died few months later.
Geoffrey Zigoma, who passed away last Friday at the Artemis Hospital in New Dehli, India, after losing a protracted battle against skin cancer, saw death coming.
In fact, it would appear, Zigoma began preparing for this journey in 2002 when he announced that he would now sing gospel music.
“This time, I announce a point of no return. I want to serve God. My life is under threat because I can lose it anytime. God is my only Saviour and I want him to welcome my body wrapped with holy deeds,” Zigoma told The Nation a decade ago.
His last album, the second gospel production after Ndibwerera titled Ndathera mwa Yesu, which features songs that talk about his battle against skin cancer, shows he foresaw death knocking on his door.
“Ndathera mwa Yesu hits the market next month [January 2013]. It is time people learnt about the challenges I am going through since I was diagnosed with skin cancer. The album has delayed because I was recording it while in pain and I could not avoid singing about the pain I am going through. I am dedicating my body and life to God because he knows my future,” he told The Nation in December 2012.
Ndathera mwa Yesu—indeed, his life and career that started with gospel then secular music before returning to gospel ended prematurely.
Born on August 28, 1977, Zigoma’s music journey dates back in the mid 1980s, according to his Uncle Obeck Likwemba.
Likwemba said Zigoma was a close ally of his [Likwemba’s] father, Abraham Zigoma, who was a member of the Malawi Police Band in Zomba. He added that Zigoma grew up in a spiritual family that liked gospel music.
He said this is what drove Zigoma into music.
At the age of six, Zigoma was already a member of Zomba Police College CCAP Church
Between 1991 and 1992, Sadzi CCAP Singers in Zomba spotted the talent in Zigoma and approached him to participate in some of its projects.
“He was very talented from his early days. We saw the talent in him and, being one of the few choirs that were popular then, we believed working with him would bring us new talent while promoting him,” said director of Sadzi CCAP Singers, Frank Jumbe.
Jumbe said Zigoma, who did not go far with his education, played the keyboard, but was more comfortable with playing on lead vocals.
Later, Zigoma met the late Kenneth Ninga’ng’a. This led to the release of Ndathera Pano, the album that propelled Zigoma to fame.
He was the first to break local music sales’ record by selling over 100 000 copies, but was later toppled by Mlaka Maliro’s Dzanja la Lalemba which sold over 131 000 copies in four months.
The Mulore hit-maker returned with another secular album Nyotsonyotso.
Other albums Ndazindikira, Mzungu ndi Mzungu and Nkhanza did not disappoint.
Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango once worked with Zigoma: “He was a passionate musician and strived for success. He was proud of who he was.”
“We were like brothers and we shared much of our experiences both in life and music. I will miss him. I had no problems with both Zigoma’s public and private lives. He mixed well with others and humbled himself. That is why he enjoyed support from many people,” said fellow musician Jenala.
Zigoma came from Ben Tchauya Village, Traditional Authority Kwataine in Ntcheu.
He was diagnosed of skin cancer on his left ear four years ago.
