Online Reporter
Langalihle Mhiti
South Africa-based Zimbabwean musician Davitah Chimombe, son of the late music icon James Chimombe, is preparing to step fully into the spotlight with the upcoming release of his new six-track album, Jikinya Memories.
The album, which he says is a tribute to his father’s legacy as well as a mark of his own musical evolution, is expected to drop in August or early September 2025.
In an exclusive interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment, Davitah confirmed that preparations for the launch are underway, and though the final venue is yet to be announced, he is receiving support from Phillip Svosve’s Ocean City Band, based in South Africa.
“The name of the album is Jikinya Memories. It has six tracks,” Davitah said.
“We might release the album in August or the first week of September. Everything is being organised carefully.”
The album title, Jikinya Memories, symbolises nostalgia, cultural identity, and a deep connection to roots themes that echo throughout Davitah’s artistic journey. Known for blending Afro-jazz and Chimurenga influences with contemporary sound, Davitah hopes the project will resonate with both older audiences who cherished his father’s classics and younger listeners drawn to fresh, soulful music.
Though currently based in South Africa, Davitah remains closely tied to Zimbabwe’s music scene and cultural fabric.
He revealed that this project is about more than just music it’s a personal mission to reconnect with his heritage and prove his place within the Chimombe legacy.
While Davitah’s path to recognition has been filled with challenges, he has not let those obstacles deter him. In 2022, he released four tracks that were intended to form part of a full album. However, after the songs failed to gain significant traction, he made the tough decision to halt the project.
“I just released four songs in 2022. I wanted to make it an album, but upon realising that the songs were never listened to that much, I left it,” he explained.
That experience taught him patience and the importance of timing and strategy in music marketing.
With Jikinya Memories, Davitah is taking a more deliberate approach, investing time into refining the content, collaborating with legends, and ensuring the album reaches the right audience.
Among the album’s standout tracks is a collaboration with South African music legend Freddy Gwala, who is not only featured on the album but is also providing mentorship and production support. Known for his timeless hits like Amadamara, Ufile, Gwala brings decades of experience to the project.
“In the album, there is one song that I featured with the legend Fred Gwala because he is also assisting,” said Davitah.
The collaboration is expected to create a rich fusion of Zimbabwean and South African soundscapes a pan-African approach that reflects Davitah’s growth as an artist operating in both musical cultures.
Davitah’s story also carries emotional weight. For years, his identity as James Chimombe’s son was a subject of public doubt.
It was only in 2020, after a family meeting, that he was officially acknowledged by the Chimombe family. Since then, he has worn the Chimombe name with pride, vowing to carry forward the legacy with honour and originality.
“This album is my way of saying I belong. I’m not only James Chimombe’s son by name, I am also a musician who values what he stood for,” Davitah shared.
As the release date approaches, excitement is building, especially among Zimbabweans in South Africa who have followed Davitah’s journey closely. Many fans are eager to see how Jikinya Memories will merge the nostalgia of James Chimombe’s era with the voice of a new generation.
For Davitah, this is more than an album it’s a personal rebirth and a declaration that the Chimombe legacy lives on.
Mathew Masinge