Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Today marks 19 years after the death of Naison Chimbetu, co-founder of the Marxist Brothers.
As a vital figure in the creation of Dendera music, it would be a disservice to the genre’s lovers to discuss it without mentioning his name.
Naison, the younger brother to the late Simon Chimbetu, remains one of the pioneers of this music style.
He died on March 6, 2006 aged 46 while his brother Simon died earlier on August 14, 2005.
Both legends departed within a year of each other, yet many have shifted their focus primarily to Simon, often forgetting Naison’s contributions.
Like anyone else, Naison had his weaknesses, but those who worked with him admitted he was a creative genius.
Genuine Dendera lovers will also concur that the two siblings – Naison and Simon – complemented each other before their split in the late ‘80s.
Simon assembled Orchestra Dendera Kings, while Naison formed G7 Commandos.
This reporter never had the opportunity to interview Dr Nero, as Naison was fondly known.
But close associates and family members hailed him for his creative edge.
This article departs from the norm as it lets some of the people who were close to Dr Nero pour out their glowing tributes.
Yes, it might sound queer to some of our readers that Naison’s personality is being shared by other people, but it also makes sense to let those who knew him share their thoughts.
Tryson
Naison’s fourth-born, Tryson, who is also a musician in his own right, reckons that the late composer was a loving father with people at heart.
“It feels like yesterday that we are marking 19 years after the death of my father on 6 March, 2006.
“He died when I was doing Upper 6 and I had to man up and help fend for my siblings who were still minors.
“Bravery became the only option for me to be able to look after my family as well as my upkeep,” he reminisced.
“We were also lucky because our mother was a hard-working woman who used to run around to ensure that we were safe as she went out of her way to fend for the family.
“In life, there are times when courage becomes the only option, especially when you are facing serious challenges or after losing the breadwinner in your family.”
Tryson credits his father for identifying his talent at a younger age.
“I can say that my father was very supportive of my career because he is the one who gave me the platform to showcase my talent in 2001 when I was still in Form 1.
“He introduced me before a highly appreciative crowd in 2001 in Kariba at Mahombekombe Bar and ZV Hotel many years ago.
“That was the ordination that I got from him and from then I was already a performing artiste without stage fright. I am glad that I have managed to soldier on despite the challenges we are facing,” he recalled.
Estere (widow)
Naison’s widow, Estere Antonio, told The Herald Arts that she still misses her late husband.
“It also feels like a month ago when Naison died and left me with his family and now I have several grandchildren that I hope he is guiding from wherever he is.
“Naison was a good father to us and I wished he could have lived for many years to see his family surviving and shining.
“As a family, we will do something to remember him; as it stands, things are tough for some of us but we will remember him in a small way,” she stressed.
Estere said she was doing her best to look after the family with the grace of God.
“It can be by his grace that we are where we are today without the father figure in our family who was determined to make sure the family gets a decent life.
“We will continue putting into practice everything that he taught us and his dream of seeing us moving without him.
“He was a loving husband who put his family first, but he was promoted to glory, and only God knows the reason why he took him away from us,” she said.
Allan Chimbetu
The living Dendera father figure, who was the last-born child in the family of musicians, vividly remembers Naison as a caring brother and talented musician.
“Growing up in Chegutu, I was always in safe hands because I had loving brothers, and one of them was Naison, who used to protect me from bullies and such.
“It’s quite sad that my three brothers – Simon, Naison and Briam – all died a year after each other. At first, it was Simon in 2005, Naison in 2006 and Briam in 2007, which made my life miserable at some point.
“I came to a point where I almost lost my mind because I could not understand what was going on in life,” he recalled.
“After the death of all my brothers, I prayed to God for strength because many people went on to accuse me of being greedy and such but that is another chapter.
“As we remember my brother Naison, I can see God’s hand in blessing me with a loving family but I treated all my brothers equally.
“I will find a neutral day to remember them all because they meant a lot to me. As the father figure left in the Chimbetu family, I have to lead by example and show my family that unity matters.”
Allan, who was groomed by his siblings, believes he has a role to play in uniting the family.
“Life will never be the same without my brothers, but in life, we ought to move on and make the world a better place to live,” he said.
Foster Mkweu
Former Orchestra Dendera Kings member Foster “The Force” Mkweu remembers Naison as a friend who was dedicated to his work.
“I had almost forgotten that he died on 6 March, 2006, which is a long period in life but still feels like yesterday.
“We grew up together in Chegutu, where he used to play for local teams. Naison played as a winger and I played as midfielder, but we still loved music and it was not by default that we ended up pursuing it for a living.
“He was a good instrumentalist who could play the bass and rhythm guitars with great skill, and today we were blessed to have worked with him when he was still alive,” he shared.
Nyamupandu
Fiery Orchestra Dendera Kings bass guitarist, Moffat Nyamupandu, who worked with both Naison and Simon, noted that the siblings were immensely talented.
“Having them singing in the same band and on stage was a marvel to watch because they complemented each other.
“To a stranger, it was hard to differentiate who was the lead and backing vocalist as they delivered on stage effortlessly.
“During that time, we used to rehearse a lot and treated the stage like the CEO’s office where serious business is done,” recalled Nyamupandu.
Nyamupandu believes it was a blessing to work with the Chimbetus – Simon, Naison, Briam and Allan.
“Of course, I joined them in the late ‘80s, but I used to treat them as my bosses, and we essentially clicked as a family.
“Dr Nero was hard-working and talented in every aspect of music you can think of. I was blessed to have known and worked with him.
“He used to accommodate me at his place and I once stayed with him when I came to Harare in 1986. We were more than family and his elder brother (Simon) made me feel at home.”
With a rich catalogue of compositions, which he penned alongside his late brothers, Naison was a legend.
Some of the songs he used to perform with his brothers include “Mudzimai Wangu”, “Kunjere Kunjere” and “Sekuru Ndipeiwo Zano”.
As the Marxist Brothers, they will be remembered for popular hits including “Mwana Wedangwe”, “Dendera Resango”, “Kuipa Chete” and “Boterekwa”, among others.
With the backing of his G7 Commandos, Naison went on to produce several hits.
Although he was eclipsed by his elder brother Simon, he still remained a force to reckon with.
