adminGodwin Muzari Entertainment Editor
Sungura musician Daiton Somanje, who fronted Pengaudzoke of the “Tsaona” fame, has died. He was 50. Somanje died yesterday evening at Parirenyatwa Hospital where he was admitted last month suffering from meningitis.
Daiton’s brother, Josphat, confirmed the singer’s death.
“He died around 5pm today (yesterday). We are devastated by the loss and we are still finalising funeral arrangements with family but he is likely to be buried in Marondera on Thursday (tomorrow),” he said.
In Harare, mourners are gathered at 391 Shingai Crescent in Dzivaresekwa 3 while in Marondera they are at 3704 Museve Road in Rusike.
Born in 1964 at Dennutor Farm in Beatrice, Daiton co-founded Pengaudzoke with Josphat in the 1980s and the brothers released a number of hits until they parted ways in 2002.
Some of the popular hits include “Zvibate Pamhaka”, “Kwatakabva Nenhamo”, “Usagumbuke”, “Seiko Kuonda”, “Mai Linda” and “Tinokudai Mese”.
Based in Marondera, the group became the most popular outfit from Mashonaland East and they shared the stage with the big musicians from Harare, leaving lasting impressions at most of their shows.
Their most successful album was “Tsaona”, which was released in 2001, a year before they split.
Over the past years, the brothers reunited on several occasions but their reunions could not work out.
At the time of his death, Daiton was leading Pengaudzoke while Josphat is working with Somanje Stars, which he formed in 2002.
Daiton started music in 1982 after dropping out of school and getting married at the age of 15. As a teenage father, Daiton had to work to fend for the family and he teamed up with his brother and friends to form a band that played handmade guitars and performed at farms in Beatrice.
Daiton released his first album “Munofamba Muchinditaura” in 1989. The album had hits “Kwatakabva Nenhamo”, “Ndatenga Dhirezi” and “Famba Mwana”, which made the musician popular.
Since then, Pengaudzoke scaled the music ladder until their split and misfortunes affected both brothers and their careers. At the time of his death, Daiton was struggling to keep his career afloat due to waning fortunes.
His son Faheem is following his footsteps and leads a group called Tokudai Mese.
Online Reporter