HARARE - Fans of Zora musician Leonard Zhakata have surprised him with a belated birthday party which was held in Chitungwiza last weekend.
The Mugove singer was performing at Tafa Nite club on Saturday where his fans threw a surprise belated birthday party for him.
Zhakata turned 46 on June 25.
Sophia Svinurai, one of the organisers of the surprise birthday party, said all the costs were funded by Zhakata’s fans.
“On behalf of Zora cadres, I am happy that at least we are managing to throw a birthday party for our living legend Zhakata on a yearly basis,” she said.
“The most exciting thing about it is that all the party costs were footed by fans.”
Zhakata shot to fame in 1994 with his hit Mugove from the album Maruva Enyika.
He continued to churn out hit albums including Unochemei, Vagoni Vebasa, Upenyu Mutoro and Nzombe Huru. Originally from Rusape, Zhakata grew up in Harare’s high density suburb of Glen Norah and recorded his first track Moyo Muti in 1989 and released his debut album Yarira Mhere in 1990 followed by Tungidza Gwenya and Shungu dzemwoyo.
Zhakata was helped to cut the birthday cake by his eldest son Chamunorwa, who is pursuing an accounting degree at one of the local universities.
Zhakata expressed gratitude to his fans by giving a classical performance as he belted out hit after hit including Zvangu Zvaita, Makorokoto and Gomba Remarara.
Fans were kept on the dance floor till dawn.
Revellers danced and sang along to almost every song he churned out.