Zimbabwe has lost many musical legends over the years. From Oliver Mtukudzi, Biggie Tembo John Chibadura, Zexie Manatsa, Bob Nyabinde to James Chimombe. Their songs are forever remembered—but what about their children?
Some of these musicians have left behind children who inherited their fortune, and sometimes their talent, continuing their legacies in various ways. Some have had successful careers of their own; however, some have gone on to lead very tragic lives. Below is a list of some of the children of these legends:
Selmor Mtukudzi: A Zimbabwean musician and actress. She is the daughter of the late Zimbabwean music icon and national hero, Oliver Mtukudzi. She was born on August 22, 1983. She has an elder sister called Sandra, both from Oliver’s first marriage to Melody Murape.
Selmor’s career began at the age of 10 when she appeared in ZBC TV dramas and performed the soundtrack of, and acted in the movie I am the future which featured at local cinemas.
In 2008 Selmor released her debut album titled Shungu. The album did very well to introduce her arrival on the music scene as a solo artist since she had worked with different artistes before. She went on to release two joint albums with her musician husband Tendai Manatsa, (son to legendary Zimbabwean musician, Zexie Manatsa), titled Selmor and Tendai Live in 2011, which was recorded in front of a live audience at 7 Arts Theatre in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare and Ndinewe (I Am With You), in 2012. Her 4th album Expressions, released in 2013 became an instant hit with the track Nguva Yangu being nominated for the Nama Awards and the Zima Awards and winning African Entertainment Awards USA and Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce — WECA Award.
Selmor has toured countries that include Zambia, Tanzania, Australia, USA, UK, Finland, Spain and South Africa performing in front of different nationals. She also participated in the song to promote the campaign #Poverty Is Sexist across the world asking the world leaders to tackle poverty by addressing gender equality..
She was also instrumental in the passing of the Electrify Africa bill in senate and in the House in Washington DC, America in 2016. This bill states that it is US policy to partner with Sub Saharan African countries, international financial institutions and African regional economic committees, cooperatives and private sectors to promote access to power services to at least 50 million people in Sub Saharan Africa by 2020.
In 2018 Selmor travelled to Canada to speak to the Canadian members of parliament about the importance of girls education.
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Selmor’s passion for uplifting and amplifying girls and women’s voices has led her to form her own trust called Vabvana Trust. She believes that when you empower a woman you empower a nation.
Selmor is an Ambassador for Zimbabwe Big 5 Animals Conservation namely the Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Cheetah and Ambassador for Wild Aid Africa.
She married Tendai Manatsa, who is also a successful musician.
There is more to write about Selmor than we have space for.
Biggie Tembo Jr, (born April 8,1988), is the son of Biggie Tembo who led the famous Bhundu Boys. He is a Zimbabwean Jiti musician who recorded for Gramma Records. He released his debut album, Rwendo, in 2010. He tried to revive his late father’s career but nothing much has been heard from him over the years.
In 2012 he was engaged by Alick Macheso to open his shows. That seems to have also collapsed.
John, Simbarashe and Knowledge Chibadura sons of the late great sungura icon, John Chibadura,were set to continue with their father’s career through the release of a six-track album titled Inguva. The brothers — vowed to take over from where their father left with the backing of the Tembo Brothers. This union did not last long.
Tendai Chimombe seems to want to take over from where her father James left. James Chimombe was one of the most talented vocalists and guitarists in Zimbabwe, who rose to national stardom in the early 1980s with hits such as Chigwaya and George Mudiwa.
When he died in 1990, his legion of fans were left despaired wondering who would take after him.
Despite his demise, his music to date has defied time and is still loved by many with songs like Cecilia, Jemedza and Munakandafa still being played on air and other platforms.
Although his son Freddy tried to take over the band, he did not last long as he passed away in August 2012.
Tendai, who is Chimombe’s eldest daughter, then took over the Huchi Band in 2014.
It has not been an easy journey for her, but she is working hard to ensure that her father’s music remains alive.
“There is nothing that is more important to me than following my father’s footsteps in music,” she said. “I am not exactly like my late father, but I am gifted in my own way and I will make sure that his legacy remains alive as that was his greatest desire.”
She said since venturing into music, she has learnt a lot of things.
“Over the years, l have learnt a lot of things about life and music,” she said. “Life is not easy and that you have to work very hard to get recognition even from promoters.
“You can not only rely on music, especially when you are in Zimbabwe you need other sources of income, be it employment or personal projects.”
Tendai said it was her desire to reach the level where she can be considered to stage big shows.
Giving advice to other women who are afraid to follow their dreams in music, Tendai urged them not to fear and work hard to reach to the top.
“Never be afraid in life, even the word of God says fear not, as long as you have the passion for music,” she said.
“When you get into music, have a financial back up of your own and do not depend on well-wishers for everything. Otherwise if you act too desperately, you can be abused.”
Aggabu Nyabinde
Bob Nyabinde of Chabuda Hapana fame, left behind his two sons, Albert and Agga who both learned to play music from their late father. They have carried on with relative success. In their repertoire, they still remind us of the songs that made their father famous. We wish them luck.
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