Chopper commemorations at Dandaro Inn
Jonathan Mbiriyamveka and Sophia Chese Entertainment Reporters
In the absence of superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, Jah Prayzah and Alick Macheso, Dendera exponent Suluman Chimbetu is likely to have a field day this weekend as he launches gigs to commemorate the life and times of his late father Simon.
Mtukudzi and his Black Spirits are on a tour of the United Kingdom while Jah Prayzah is in Botswana and Macheso is also overseas.
So this means Suluman has the whole of Harare to himself when he starts the commemorative gigs tonight at Dandaro Inn nestled at the Harare Exhibition Park where he meets Soul Jah Love.
Chimbetu died on August 14, 2005 and was buried at Mashonaland West Provincial Heroes’ Acre in Chinhoyi.
After the Dandaro Inn gig, Suluman and his Orchestra Dendera Kings will head to Mutare on August 8 where he will stage a commemorative show at Pick ‘n’ Save.
But tonight’s show will give Suluman an opportunity to draw huge crowds both young and the old to reminisce on the good old days when “Chopper”, as Simon was popularly known, was the main man.
Sulu as he is fondly called by his legion of fans, is one of the consistent singers in the country. He took charge of the Orchestra Dendera Kings following the death of his father and has kept the legacy alive. Known for playing his own compositions and his father’s music, Sulu appeals to a wider audience due to his showmanship.
He dresses well, he sings well and fans just love him for who he is. Songs such as “Nhambarakishoni”, “Non-Stop”, “Kwedu” and “Sean Timba” are favourites of many and a show is not complete if Sulu skips any of the songs.
Partson Chimbodza of Chipaz Promotions who are putting the gig together, said he was hopeful that Sulu and Soul Jah Love will live up to the billing.
“It is a great show by any measure and we are hoping that fans will come in their numbers and enjoy themselves. Both artistes are talented with Soul Jah Love doing well in Zim-dancehall while Sulu is also sampling his upcoming album,” he said.
Meanwhile Sulu is sailing on cloud nine after he was on Wednesday appointed ambassador for the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.
This is not the first time that the Dendera musician has been endorsed for such deals as he is currently ambassador of Corporate 24, a medical aid centre with the responsibility of encouraging people to join the medical aid.
Speaking at the conferment of badges of ranks of commissioners and deputies ZPCS Commissioner General Paradzai Zimondi said after having worked with Sulumani’s father Simon during the liberation struggle the organisation saw it fit to appoint him as their ambassador.
“We have worked with Simon Chimbetu during the liberation struggle and the man was disciplined and so is his son and for this reason we would like to appoint Suluman Chimbetu as ZPCS brand ambassador,” Com General Zimondi said.
He also highlighted that ZPCS has a programme for rehabilitation and reform so they want to involve the community hence the appointment of Sulu.
Sulu who is going to help in the rehabilitation of prisoners could not hide his joy saying he is grateful with his new appointment.
“I just want to thank God for these doors that he continues opening for me. I am greatly honoured to have been given the opportunity and task to work with prisoners and I have already started scouting for talent in prisoners. I once recruited one ex-prisoner as a dancer and though he is no longer with us we are happy to have worked with him,” said the ecstatic Sulu.
Sulu is going to be working with the prison music groups as a way of rehabilitating the prisoners.
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