HARARE – A man claiming to be the son of the late John Chibadura has emerged, 25 years after the legendary musician passed away.
Francisco Musaka (45), claims that his mother, a Mozambican national named Elizabeth Johanne, hid the identity of his true father from him after she was impregnated by Chibadura while she was married to another man.
“I came to know that my father was the late John Chibadura, years after his death. My mother refused to disclose my father since she was impregnated while married to another man,” he told H-Metro.
Musaka claimed that Chibadura had even recorded one of his songs, Eriza, in dedication to his mother. He said he had lived a part of his life in Mozambique.
“My mother told me that she had a misunderstanding with Chibadura and he recorded one of his songs, Eriza, as a tribute to her. I decided to migrate from Mozambique to Zimbabwe and settled here and that is when I learnt that Chibadura was my father,” he said.
Musaka said he had even paid a visit to Chibadura’s wife, Nelia Best, to solidify his claim.
Musaka, who is a musician, had also started a band, ‘Nyamukoko Brothers, as homage to the man he claims is his father. Chibadura’s real name was John Nyamukoko.
“I visited Mai Chibadura in Domboshava and introduced myself to the family. I told them about my music career and I decided to avoid using ‘Tembo Brothers’ and named my band ‘Nyamukoko,’ the real surname of my father Chibadura.
“I released my first album and it was a hit last year on Nyangani Radio Station. I have penned 256 albums, with six tracks each, but 45 albums are polished.
“My challenge is sponsorship, I am yet to find a manager and I have been struggling to make ends meet. I have since found a home here in Rusape,” he said.
Chibadura’s wife, Best, confirmed that Musaka had paid a visit to her.
“Musa came here claiming to be my husband’s son. I referred him to my husband’s younger brother. He looked older than my first born and I asked why he never showed up during his father’s time or upon his death?
“Handina kutaura zvakawanda sezvo chinoziva ivhu kuti mwana ndewake here. He is not the only one who came claiming to be my husband’s son, another man also came some years after the death of Chibadura and I referred him also to the family members.
“Richard is the only son introduced to me by Chibadura and I looked after him,”
Meanwhile, the late musician’s son, John Chibadura Nyamukoko, denied Musaka’s claims.
“I saw Francisco but his claims do not hold water at all,” said John Jnr.
“His explanations did not convince family members considering the fame my father had during his time, and he never found his way to him. He is older than me.
“Francisco is after attacking the Tembo Brothers by claiming to be my father’s son, 25 years after my father’s death.
“Hapana chimwe chaarikutsvaga kunze kwekuwana mukana wekuridza nziyo dzababa vangu uye kutevedzera kaimbiro kavo achitadza kuvamuimbi wenguva yake. He is one of our rivals, that’s all.”
