SAFIRIO “ MUKADOTA” MADZIKATIRE

By ZimLegends Founder and Executive Director : Joel Masuka 

Safiro Madzikatire was born on 2nd April 1932 in his rural home of Tanda in the district of Rusape in Manicaland. Safirio grew up in the neighborhood of the then National, to be renamed Mbare, after Independence. He was the only son to his mother and was brought up in his mother’s family.

Safirio is respectfully and deservedly regarded one of the most talented music and comedy pioneers of Zimbabwe’s popular music and drama. Safrio’s musical and artistic acts always reflected and resonated with the practical day to day life experiences of the ordinary people of Zimbabwe hence his immense reputation with the people. Safirio significantly and profoundly touched people’s lives by providing the much needed joy and laughter both in people’s homes and in the concert halls around the whole country of Zimbabwe.

The late, Safririo Madzikatire, who was popularly known as Mukadota was Zimbabwe’s multi-cultured artist, was a man of multiple hats, who during his time featured on the public stage as, comedian, singer, songwriter and actor.
It was in the late 1940’s when Safirio was doing his primary education at Chitsere primary school when he met Linah and Kenneth Mataka . This couple had already made inroads into the drama industry and had a show that was featuring on the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation. In actual fact , it was during the year 1948 that Safirio joined Kenneth and Linah Mataka in learning how to act and play music.

It was Linah and Kenneth Mataka who taught the young man, Safirio , how to play a guitar, how to act on the stage as well as how to tap dance. During those years tap dancing was very popular among the young Black Americans in the United States of America and its popularity had permeated into almost every corner of the world.

Initially Safirio started playing music on a banjo guitar ( an unconventional and improvised version of and acoustic guitar) in the neighbourhoods of Old Bricks and MaJuberg. Inhabitants of Old Bricks township were in 1968 relocated to the Cherima/ Magandanga of Mufakose. During those days, musicians and people who played guitars where not held in very high esteem but this did not dissuade Safirio from persuing and persevering in his passion for music and other stage work.

One of Safirio’s most popular song which he sang in the early days of his career, in the 1960’s was Ndatemwa ne Gogo. At one stage, during his music career, Safirio had to team up with Jordan Chataika, in one of Chataika’s great and popular song, Vana ve Israel.

Safirio and Susan Chenjerai “ Mai Rwizi” started acting together on stage and hence would be together for a period spanning from 1964 to 1987. It was at the dawn of the 1970’s that Safirio Madzikatire with Susan Chengerai and her daughters began featuring in a Radio drama by the name of Mhuri yava Makore.

This popular drama show was produced and aired by one of the most popular Radio broadcaster of that time by the name of Webster Shamu.This show later transformed and was renamed Mhuri yava Mukadota, which derived sponsorship from the Lever Brothers Company. This Mhuri yava Mukadota show was taken over by another renowned broadcaster, Patrick Bhajilla after Webster Shamu left to join the Liberation struggle in 1974.

In the later years, Safirio would be doubling his roles, both as a comedian and as a musician . This would see him teaming up with his now grown up elder son, Elijah. Elijah, who had learned how to play a guitar by then, played a rhythm guitar instrument in most of the songs. Together with his son and his drama group and music band Safirio would be seen conducting musical and drama tours all around the whole country.

In a series of some of their drama productions Elijah would play the role of a character by the name of Rwizi and Safirio and Susan Chenjerai would respectively play the characters of Baba and Mai Rwizi.

Initially Safirio had no musical instruments of his own hence he mapped out a strategy which would benefit both himself and the well established bands of that time, the likes of the Tycoon, Afro Jazz Fiesta and the Delights. Mukadota and his dancing troupe, the Sea Cottage Sisters, would move around the country, perfoming live shows together these afore-mentioned bands. After acquiring his own musical instruments Safirio would from that time on, perform with his own band together with Elijah and the Sea Cottage Sisters.

One of the greatest boost in stage personalities which Safirio acquired was Katarina whos real name was Elizabeth Taderera. With Katarina’s valuable acquisition, Safirio reputation shot up to more than super celebrity level and catapultated him and his band to the top of the local charts .

Mukadota , as he is affectionately known both in the drama and musical fields, is one of those most talented individuals who had a natural flow of humour and tact of a seasoned actor. He is one of the best multi artists whom Zimbabwe has ever produced. Some of Safirio’s fans even argue that his videos are still popular or more popular now, than when he was still alive. 

Safirio had been blessed with three children who’s names are Elijah, the late Rufus and their sister Nancy.
Safiro’s legendary works are still vividly embedded in the memories of the Zimbabwean music and comedy fraternities.

Authored by ZimLegends Founder and Executive Director : Joel Masuka