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Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
The late Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu commemorative gig is slated for this August with several shows lined up throughout Zimbabwe.
Chimbetu died on August 15, 2005 and was buried at the Mashonaland West Provincial Heroes’ Acre in Chinhoyi.
His son Suluman, who has since taken over the band, said all was set for the commemorations which will begin on August 1 with the first gig slated for Dandaro Inn at the Harare Exhibition Park.

Suluman and his Orchestra Dendera Kings will share the stage with popular Zimdancehall chanter Soul Jah Love and the Conquering Family.On August 8, Suluman will head to the eastern border town of Mutare where he will stage a show at Pick&Save.

The show, organised by Esau Mupfumi, will see Somandla Nbebele and Jacob Moyana also taking part.
Another show is slated for Private Lounge on August 9 in the capital before they perform at different venues in the country.

In Marondera on Agusut 12, Sulu will be performing at Legends Sports Bar before taking it to Chinhoyi where the family will visit the gravesite of the musician. Speaking through his publicist Joe Nyamungoma, Sulu said promoters who had worked with the late Simon had lined up shows to commemorate the life of the musician.

“This commemoration is open to everyone and we are happy that most promoters who worked with Simon have already lined up events across the country,” he said.
Nyamungoma said the event was open to everyone including other musicians from Chimbetu family.

Last year promoter of the main event which was held in Harare Gardens Patson Chimbodza was slammed after they refused to give Sulu’s cousin bother Tryson a platform to play.

“It is open to everyone because we are commemorating the life of a man who managed to live a legacy for the family and the nation,” he said.
Chimbetu hit stardom with songs such as “Dzandipedza Mafuta”, “Marirangwe”, “Hoko” and “Newspaper”, among other songs he wrote after the formation of his Orchestra Ndendera Kings.

He formed the group from Marxist Brothers which was dissolved in the mid-90s as members left to pursue other careers, while others joined Simon’’s backing band, Dendera Kings.