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IN our main story yesterday, we asked if Chiteketeke is the finest Zimbabwean song of all-time.
Our European correspondent Forward Nyanyiwa sought expert opinion from the likes of Bothwell Nyamhondera and Mono Mukundu, who are heavyweights in our musical industry, in his exploration of this subject.
Nyamhondera, a legendary producer whose Gramma Records produced Chitekete, acknowledged Chitekete’s chart dominance for weeks but said Zimbabwe’s musical tapestry boasts many exceptional compositions beyond this iconic song.
Mukundu said no single song can universally claim the title of Zimbabwe’s greatest, emphasising that popularity does not always equate to artistic quality.
Seasoned arts journalist, Mthandazo Dube, highlighted the subjective nature of musical greatness, pointing out that different generations favour different sounds.
Nyanyiwa noted that what isn’t in dispute is that Chitekete remains one of Zimbabwe’s finest musical gems — a masterpiece of its time that continues to inspire discussion and admiration across generations and borders.
What can’t be disputed is that there will never be a debate about Zimbabwe’s greatest songs which doesn’t include Chitekete — even when one narrows the debate to just five songs.
Nyanyiwa noted that with its haunting guitar riffs and poetic lyricism, the four-track album achieved the unimaginable — selling over 100,000 copies in just two weeks, the release of Chitekete catapulted Dembo to triple-platinum status and forever engraved his name in the annals of African music history.
But Nyanyiwa said it was important to note that Zimbabwe’s vast musical catalogue — from Thomas Mapfumo’s revolutionary ballads to Oliver Mtukudzi’s soulful melodies — offer stronger contenders.
He also noted that Leonard Zhakata’s Mugove was an instant classic, resonating deeply with audiences and is often being compared to Chitekete in terms of its popularity and cultural impact.He also noted that the Khiama Boys’s Mabhauwa was a major hit and Simon Chimbetu also made a huge impact with his powerful songs.
The debate could not be closed without including Alick Macheso whose Simbaradzo album shattered records by selling an astounding 350,000 copies. For us, as a newspaper, what is important really isn’t about getting the number one song or number one artist.
What is important for us is to celebrate the contributions of all these artists who have made a lasting impression on our musical scene.
What is important for us is that the work of the legends like Dembo, Chimbetu, the Khiama Boys, you name them, should never be forgotten.
We have been striving to keep their legacy alive so that today’s generation should be reminded that even as it enjoys the work of our current stars, it should not forget the platform which was laid by those who came before them.
What is important is to keep celebrating their work and we are blessed as a country that we have had all these fine musicians giving us these immortal hits.
The challenge for today’s musicians is for them to take their acts to such a level where they can also produce songs that people will be talking about 30 years from now.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter