Tanzanian singers hold special graveside prayers as Singeli artiste Meja Kunta’s father is buried
By Steve Ireri, July 22, 2026Tanzanian singers Alikiba, DVoice and former Konde Gang signee Ibraah joined mourners at the graveside of Mwarami Sadiki Mtumbuka, the father of Singeli singer Meja Kunta, where they offered special prayers for the late parent before he was laid to rest.
The emotional burial ceremony took place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Kisutu Cemetery in Dar es Salaam, following funeral prayers at Masjid Maamur Mosque in Upanga.
The burial brought together members of the local community, family members, friends and several prominent figures from Tanzania’s entertainment industry, who gathered to stand with Meja Kunta as he bid farewell to his father.
After the local Muslim community at the cemetery had conducted prayers for the deceased, the artistes were given an opportunity to join in and offer their own prayer for their fellow musician’s late father.
The artistes gathered at the graveside and held a fervent Muslim prayer as they sought God’s mercy for the departed and offered spiritual support to Meja Kunta during the emotional moment.
Alikiba stood out in a white kanzu, complemented by a pink shawl wrapped around his head, while DVoice, a WCB artiste, wore a black kanzu as he joined the prayers.
The moment offered a touching display of solidarity from Tanzania’s entertainment fraternity as the artistes came together to support Meja Kunta following the loss of his father.
Alikiba was among the prominent artistes who arrived early at Masjid Maamur in Upanga before accompanying the family and other mourners to Kisutu Cemetery for the final burial rites.
DVoice also arrived at the mosque early to stand by his friend and fellow artiste during the difficult period.
Comedian, actor and media personality Dotto Magari was also among the well-known figures who attended the funeral activities from the morning as religious proceedings got underway in Dar es Salaam.
The burial also attracted several other artistes from Tanzania’s Singeli and Bongo Fleva scenes, alongside various stakeholders from the country’s entertainment industry, who gathered to comfort Meja Kunta and give him strength during the loss.
The singer is now facing the painful reality of losing both of his parents.
Meja Kunta’s father dies after health complications
Meja Kunta’s father, Mwarami Sadiki Mtumbuka, died on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, while receiving treatment at Temeke District Hospital in Dar es Salaam.
The deceased had been battling high blood pressure and a stroke, health complications that eventually led to his hospitalisation.
Doctors continued efforts to save his life, but he died while undergoing treatment at the facility.
Meja Kunta previously disclosed that high blood pressure had affected several members of his family, making his father’s illness particularly painful for the singer.
His father’s death came just one day after Meja Kunta made an emotional appeal on social media, revealing the extent to which he had gone in an effort to save his parent’s life.
The singer disclosed that he was prepared to sell virtually everything he owned to raise money for his father’s medical care.
Meja Kunta said he was willing to sell his house, plot of land, car, mobile phone and even his “magemu” to raise funds for his father’s treatment.
At the time, his father was receiving critical care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while the artiste said he had already exhausted his financial savings trying to keep his parent alive.
In an emotional message, Meja Kunta explained that he would rather lose all his possessions than lose his father.
“Naogopa kupoteza kila kitu nikabaki na mali, heri mali ziende baba yangu apone,” he said.
However, his desperate efforts to save his father ultimately ended in heartbreak when the elderly man died on July 21.
The following day, family members, friends and colleagues from the entertainment industry gathered to accompany him to his final resting place.