Finally dead man unites the living
By Nigel Pfunde
Simon Chimbetu may be dead and buried but at least the living still respect him.
At least the statement rings true after Dendera brothers Sulumani and Tryson Chimbetu set their differences aside to commemorate 11 years since Chopper’s death at Extra Mile Leisure Centre this Sunday.
The beef between the two cousins is well documented but Sunday night the two shared the stage at Extra Mile Leisure Centre to celebrate Chopper’s life.
That Alick Macheso was part of the line-up only made it more exciting as he was at one moment in the thick of the fight.
Clad in a purple suit and matching tie, Tryson jumped on stage and joined his uncle Allan and cousin Sulumani.
They belted out the late Chopper’s songs including One Way, Hoko and Dzandipedza Mafuta.
Allan asked fans to request the late Chopper’s tracks they wanted to listen to and the response was overwhelming especially from female revellers.
It was an emotional gig as some Chimbetu siblings who are not into full time music also took time to strut their stuff on the stage.
His eldest son Collin who is a farmer in Chegutu, also grabbed the microphone and dropped some vocals.
He however proved why he chose farming over music as he struggled to be in sync with fellow Chimbetus on vocals.
Sulumani frantically tried to cover up for his brother’s vocal shortcomings and eventually upped the tempo when he sampled a track Ndikutsvaga Simba taken off his forthcoming album Havasi Kutiziva.
The song is a potential hit judging from the crowd response.
Sungura virtuoso Alick Macheso also performed in solidarity with the Chimbetus and he belted out songs from his new album Tsoka Dzerwendo much to a wild applause.
His dancers displayed creative choreography led by MaJuice.
Macheso implored the Chimbetus to remain united and maintain their late father’s musical legacy and also played renditions of the late Chopper’s music with great finnese.
Meanwhile,Sulu’s publicist Joe Local Nyamungoma told Showbiz that the Orchestra Dendera Kings camp was humbled by the massive support.
“We are humbled by the support from our fans as we celebrated the life of Dendera music godfather,” he said.
It was a big night of Dendera music and Chopper must be smiling in his grave.
