HARARE – The drummer behind the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s news drumbeat has died.

Douglas Vambe died aged 76 at Harare’s Parirenyatwa Hospital on Tuesday, his daughter said.

“It is with a deep sense of sadness that I must announce the death of my father,” Pamela Vambe said.

She said her father had suffered a stroke last week and was hospitalised.

Vambe is popularly known for the Jerusarema/Mbende drumbeat that is used as a signature on ZBC TV and radio news bulletin.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Mashonaland East provincial official Chido Erengwi said they were saddened by Vambe’s death and were offering support to the family.

Rewards for his contribution to the national cultural consciousness came late in life when he was offered a 100-hectare farm by the government.

Prior to that, he had not received any material reward since the drumbeat was recorded at the then Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation (RBC) Mbare studios, Harare, in 1962.

He will be laid to rest in Marondera on Saturday.