BY OBERT SIAMILANDU KARIBA almost came to a standstill on Wednesday as thousands of people paid their last respects to the late singer, Eckodem who was recognised as one of the pioneers of Zimdancehall music in the resort town.
Born Edgar Koffi, Eckodem died on Sunday at Kariba Hospital after a short illness and was buried at John Range cemetery. He was 25.
The Makuti-Kariba Highway was jammed with cars straddling all lanes while hundreds of fans toy-toyed as they led the late artiste’s body to its resting place.
Speaking at the burial site, mayor Ralph Maoneyi described the singer as a young man who was focused and talented and said the void he had left would be dificult to fill.
“Eckodem was a focused and talented artiste of a rare breed,” he said.
“Heroes are not decided in the boardroom, but by their works. The numbers gathered today say a lot about who Eckodem is even in death.”
Ghetto Rambo Records owner and executive producer Nicholas Nyoni said Eckodem was a professional and well-organised artiste who valued his work.
“Eckodem was a multi-talented artiste with potential to positively change the music industry not just in Mashonaland West, but the whole of Zimbabwe,” he said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Eckodem shot to stardom in 2013 after releasing hit songs SaJah Love and Memories.
Seeing that his fans had accepted his music, Eckodem made a remix of SaJah Love in 2016 and it went viral even until the time of his death. He also had other singles such as Tichasangana, which made waves on Nyaminyami FM charts.
In Tichasangana, he was paying tribute to the departed.
Some of the tracks by Eckodem included Mari Yeroora, Aindisendera Maimoji, Kunamata, Sorry, Ndaitadzanei, Musandichema, Mama and Mafans Angu.
At the time of his death, he was trending with his latest offering, Mulishani which he launched about a fortnight ago after his tour of Zambia.
- Follow Obert on Twitter @osamilandu
