Peter Moyo gave us hope, anxiety and anticipation when he took the reins at Utakataka Express after the death of his father Tongai in 2011.
Report by Godwin Muzari
He was nicknamed “Young Igwe” because people had hope that he was the appropriate heir to Tongai’s throne. Tongai called himself “Igwe” (king) and people saw a prince in Peter.
There was hope that he would quickly fill in his father’s shoes and take over the late Utakataka Express founder’s dream of being the king of the local music industry.
There was anxiety among music lovers because most of them knew that Peter had been groomed to take over during his father’s last days.
Unlike other children of late musicians that never went under their parents’ guidance in music, Peter was blessed with some lessons from his father, as it became apparent that Tongai’s battle with cancer was becoming unbearable.
Although Tongai was initially sceptical about initiating his son into music, he realised in March 2011 that, eventually, someone with his blood had to take over the group when his health failed him.
So, from March to October 2011, Peter was under his father’s musical wings. He was getting the tips, tricks and advice from the man who had obviously anointed him the heir to his throne.
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Peter might not tell us everything but history has it that when a king, or father realises that death is nigh, the closely-guarded secrets and best survival tactics are imparted to his heir.
There is definitely a lot that Peter learnt from his father besides the exceptional stage antics and resilience that Tongai was known for.
It would not be erroneous to suggest that Peter was very fortunate to get the blessings (and everything that comes with them) from Tongai.
He is among the fortunate few. Morgan and Tendai Dembo probably wish they had such an opportunity to get some tricks from the late great Musorowenyoka (their father Leonard). Unfortunately, they were still young when he died.
Besides the hope and anxiety, there was anticipation.
It was anticipated that the Young Igwe would soon be his own man and, at least, release an album to prove he was indeed anointed to take the dream further and appease his father’s spirit.
When Peter stood in for his ill father at some shows in Zimbabwe and Botswana, fans saw a perfect replacement for Tongai. The anticipation was that Peter would make it, even beyond our borders with ease.
Peter told us that he would release an album on October 15 last year, the first anniversary of Tongai’s death, but he failed.
Now, in just over six months to come, it will be two years after Tongai’s death, but Peter is still to prove he is fit for the task. Besides basking in the glory of his father’s good stage work, Peter is still to give his father’s fans something to prove that he is fertile musically.
When a music producer told Peter that his voice was not good enough, he turned to Charles Charamba for vocal lessons. Hope was that Peter would be moulded into a perfect singer considering Charamba’s experience.
That hope is now fading because there does not seem to be anything concrete coming from the lessons.
