BY TAWANDA MARWIZI Dendera music lovers are on August 13 expected to converge at Orange Groove Motel in Chinhoyi to celebrate the life and work of the late dendera guru, Simon Chimbetu, who died eight years ago. The event is dubbed “Ndarangarira Gamba”. Sulumani Chimbetu, who will be one of the main performers at the event, said preparations were at an advanced stage to make the event a success. “We are ready to commemorate his life and I am happy that he left a trail that everyone wishes to follow. The Chimbetu family is immensely talented and we are all following his footsteps and surviving from our talents,” said Sulumani. He said they were planning to hold the commemoration every year involving many musicians. “We are planning to make it an annual event so that we can call a number of musicians. The first event will mainly feature musicians from Chimbetu family but Cindy Munyavi has shown her willingness to support us and is likely to be one of the performers.” Sulu said he was troubled by the way his cousin Tryson had snubbed the event. “He is fully booked but we were expecting him at this press conference. I do not know why he has not come.” Speaking at the same occasion Allan Chimbetu said Simon’s life was worth celebrating. “He was a man on his own. He helped a number of musicians in the country and even the family members so his life is worth to be Celebrated,” said Allan. Allan’s son and leader of the Central Committee, Douglas, will also feature at the fiesta. Present at the event were promoters Patson “Chipaz” Chimbodza and Josh Hozheri of Jazz 105, Simon’s widow Angela and the musician’s daughters. Sulu’s public relations manager Joe “Local” Nyamungoma said they were going to parade some of the new talents in the family. Simon died on August 14 2005 and was laid to rest at Chinhoyi provincial heroes’ acre.
