Musician and actor Wellington Jonga, popularly known as Yellowman Biggie Zhanje, has died.
By Kennedy Nyavaya
Biggie Zhanje, whose first single, Rudo Ndimandivhaidza, topped the music charts in 1985, died on Friday morning at his Hopley home. He was 52.
“He had been sick for a long time and complained about sore legs, but it got worse last month. Last week he was bed-ridden and the ailment spread to every part of the body until he died yesterday [Friday] morning,” said Wellington Maruta, the family’s spokesperson.
His death comes two months after his house in Hopley was destroyed by heavy rains, which he attributed to the “machinations initiated by religious disputes”.
Maruta said although the burial arrangements were not yet clear, Biggie Zhanje’s burial will take place this morning at his rural home in Madziwa.
“Mourners are gathered at Hopley while we finalise arrangements to travel to Madziwa where he will be laid to rest Sunday [today],” he said.
Apart from making music, Biggie Zhanje had a stint at the national broadcaster as a television presenter as well as a poet before he went into hibernation. He also featured in a radio drama, Ndochema Nani? where he played the role of Zimwai — a talkative and pathological liar.
- 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
He was a teacher at Tariro Primary School in Hopley at the time of his death.
Biggie Zhanje leaves behind a wife and four children.
