Sulumani chimbetu biography books

From the Zimbabwe Herald
by Richmore Tera, 9th April

&#;Only fools contribute in destroying what they have helped build.&#; These are the golden words of Moffat Nyamupandu, Orchestra Dendera Kings&#; longest serving and surviving member. If there were long-service awards in the music industry, then the fiery bassist would have landed one for his passion, commitment and consistency for Dendera music.

For a good 26 years, Mofela, as he is fondly called in music circles, has been with the Orchestra Dendera Kings working religiously to ensure that the signature bass-line that is the backbone of Dendera music, remains untainted.

&#;I am the longest serving member of the group because I am determined to create and maintain a consistent sound that becomes synonymous with the band.

&#;This becomes your signature just like what the late Bob Marley did with the Wailers and also the Beatles.

&#;There is no reason in hopping from one band to another, helping in creating their respective sounds and at the end of the day you still remain with nothing,&#; Moffat said.

And true to his words, he has been with the group since and served under the leadership of the late Simon, Naison and Brian, as well as Allan (all siblings) and now Sulumani Chimbetu.

&#;I started playing the bass guitar for the band in while it was still called the Marxist Brothers, led by Simon and Naison.

&#;The first album I did with the band was &#;Dendera Resango&#; followed by &#;Africa&#; which was released in

&#;When Naison split to form his group G 7 Commandos, I continued recording with Simon until the time he was arrested and his young brother Brian stood in for him as the lead vocalist.

&#;We recorded with Brian until Simon&#;s period in jail had passed and at one time also I also helped Naison to record some of his albums.

&#;When Simon passed away in , Allan took over and again, we recorded with him and now we are under the leadership of Sulumani

Musical artist

Simon Chimbetu (23 September – 14 August ) was a Zimbabwean guitarist, vocalist and composer. He was the founding member of his band Orchestra Dendera Kings. He was known by many stage names, including "Chopper, "Mr Viscose" (before imprisonment), "Cellular", "Simomo" and "Mukoma Sam".

Early life

Chimbetu was born in the Musengezi area of Mbire District in Mashonaland Province of Southern Rhodesia, on 23 September He was of the Yao tribe and his ancestral roots can be traced to the town of Tukuyu, in Southern Tanzania. His father Benson Mwakalile was a bricklayer and Simon regularly accompanied his father on his business errands. He attended the local Musengezi High School before trekking to Harare(then Salisbury) to look for employment.

Rhodesian Bush War

During the Rhodesian Bush War, Chimbetu went to Tanzania to join the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), which employed him as an entertainer for its guerrillas in exile. At some point prior to , Chimbetu returned to Rhodesia.

Return to Harare

Chimbetu worked for a tobacco processing company for many years after the attainment of Zimbabwe's internationally recognised independence in His passion for music did not wane. Rather, he regularly played at Mushandirapamwe Hotel in Highfield, a high-density suburb in Harare. At this point he was backed by John Chibadura's Sungura Boys as he did not have his own instruments. His younger brother, Naison backed him and toget