Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
SOUTH Africa-based Afro-fusion crooner, Davitah Chimombe, says his late father’s estate and legacy will remain in safe hands due to the peace among his siblings.
His father, the legendary James Chimombe, died in 1990 at the age of 39, leaving an estate in Harare and Njanja. Chimombe also left behind a rich catalogue of songs.
Five of his children — Tendai, Linda, Linden, Donald and Davitah — are still alive.Davitah, who is a talented musician, told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub that their father was a unifier.“I can safely say that my father was a unifier who wanted his children to remain united.
“The genuine love and peace that he taught us has made us one, and that is why you hardly hear about squabbles in our family. “If there are issues in the family, we always find a way of addressing them amicably.
“We are also guided by family elders, including my elder sister Tendai, who is also a musician and teacher. There are elders who have always made sure that we resolve our issues amicably, which is why you see us clicking.”
Davitah has collaborated with Freddy Gwala.“My father loved his rural home in Njanja and he used to take us there occasionally, despite the fact that he had a house in Cranborne where my younger brother stays.
“He had a strong attachment to his rural home and we can’t afford to let the home be left abandoned because that is where we are also going to be buried one day.”
Musically, Davitah said he will be releasing a new album titled “Chakuma” this coming July.
“I have done quite a number of singles and in two months’ time we are looking forward to releasing a new album. “I have featured Freddy Gwala in one of the songs and it will be quite interesting to see how it goes.”
Davitah said he was proud of his siblings, who are following in their father’s footsteps.
“As siblings, we get well along and I don’t remember a single day that I have argued with them, because peace runs in our DNA. After all, we are busy people who have something to do in life, and that alone has kept us well-connected as family members.
“My sister Tendai is doing well in her area, while Donald is an actor who has starred in big projects, so you all know what I do for a living.”
Added Davitah:
“On that note, I urge all children of both living and departed legends to safeguard their parents’ legacies.
“This involves their legacies and properties—like homes—which should be immortalised.
“If you look at Bob Marley’s family, you can see that they are getting along well, and one of his homes in Kingston, Jamaica, has been converted into a music studio, racking in millions each year.” International tourists are visiting the facility, where they learn about Marley’s legacy and way of life.”
Locally, the late Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi’s Pakare Paye Arts Centre has been converted into an arts hub.”
Mbuya Stellah Chiweshe’s homestead on Masembura, Bindura, will soon be serving the same purpose as Tuku’s.
