Chopper: Liberation music hero

Simon Chimbetu died 11 years ago, but memories of his shows, his funeral and burial remain vivid in most people’s minds. Memories of a smartly-dressed guy belting hit after hit in Boomerang, Sports Diner or Plaza De Castilla seem to take people a few months back the calendar, yet it has been a long time since he departed. Memories of cars of different makes and sizes that snaked in roads adjacent to his house in Mabelreign as people came to honour the fallen music and provincial hero are still vivid.

He was not only a music hero. He was also a revolutionary hero and was befittingly buried at Mashonaland West Provincial Heroes Acre, the site of the historic Chinhoyi Battle. Thousands went to pay their last respects to the son of the soil and a historic crowd gathered at the Heroes Acre in Chinhoyi.

Chimbetu’s songs show the patriotism on which his music was hinged. Songs like “Ndarangarira Gamba”, KuState House Kure”, “Southern Africa”, “One Way” and “Zimbabwe” carry important messages about the struggle.

It is just like a few months ago when Chimbetu was buried but we commemorate 11 years without the man who was also known as Master of Song, Dendera King, Chopper or Cellular — a nickname he got when he became one of the first people to own mobile phone.

His family members, fans and Orchestra Dendera Kings Band members have fresh memories of the great musician and his character. A lot has been said about his success musically and the nation remembers him for songs like “Dzandipedza Mafuta”, “Chauta” and “Hoko” but those who were close to him have deeper memories of Chopper.

They remember his shy character, emotions, love and generosity. They also remember the other side of the musicians when things were not smooth. Longest serving Orchestra Dendera Kings member, bassist Moffat Nyamupandu remembers how, in his last days, Chopper was cross with him and fellow band member Knowledge Nkoma when they cancelled a show because their leader was ill.

“We were supposed to go and perform at a state function but we were told that Chopper was not feeling well. “We cancelled the show and went to his house to see him. When we arrived he was disappointed and angry. He asked us why we had not gone to perform and we did not understand it because he was the band leader,” said Nyamupindu.

“We did not understand why he said we could go without him but he said our band was like an army at war. He said we should not look back because someone is ill or absent”.

“That was when we realised that he wanted us to move on and we have done so. Besides obstacles that we have faced over the past 10 years, Orchestra Dendera Kings is still moving. We will continue making music because our late leader told us to go ahead with the ‘war’.

“His love and humility were beyond imagination and we learnt a lot from him. He was a good leader who would tell us his plans and we made decisions as a band. He remained humble despite being popular and we remember him every day.”

Chopper’s son, Suluman remembers the words of wisdom that he got from his father before he died. They did not work together for a long time in music but they would do farm chores in Chegutu.

“We only did music together for a short period during his last days and I mostly remember him for the advice that he gave me when we travelled to the farm,” said Suluman. “I would go to work at the farm when I was not at my workplace at the Air Force of Zimbabwe and I enjoyed being with him.

“The most important thing to him was to maintain our culture. He was so passionate about our roots to the extent of telling me that I should get a wife from our original country in Tanzania. I did not manage to do so but I have maintained most of the cultural practices and beliefs that he taught me.

“He taught me to take care of my mother, brothers and sisters. He would give me serious family responsibilities even though he could afford to do everything on his own. He wanted me to be strong and a responsible man and I remember him for the wise words that still ring in my mind 11 years later.”

Chopper’s long-time producer Bothwell Nyamhondera rates the musician as one of the most talented singers of the land. “It was difficult to work with him in the studio if you did not understand him but the moment you got what he expected, everything became enjoyable,” said Nyamhondera.

“He knew his work and he was very creative. There are very few people with such talent. As producers we have the final say to music products but with Chopper, it was always an issue of working together and sharing experiences. I respected his ideas and he respected my decisions. That was his main secret of success in the music industry.”