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ON April 9, the local music fraternity marks 27 years without Leonard Dembo.
The iconic lyricist and guitarist died on that particular day in 1996, leaving a deep void hard to fill.
Over the years, a lot has happened without the Chitekete hit-maker.
Now, as we approach three decades without him, Zimbabweans still miss him.
The only consolation fans are getting is that his soothing music is still as good as it was during his hey days.
His two sons – Morgan and Tendai – have been doing their best to revive their late father’s music but are yet to reach the levels which fans expect.
It’s probably unfair to even expect them to come any closer because Dembo was a once-in-a-generation artist.
Their South Africa-based sister, Fenistia, is equally talented although she is not a full-time musician.
Fenny, as the budding artist is fondly known, has done some remixes of her late father’s songs and she is planning to unveil her compositions.
As has become tradition, Dembo’s legacy is celebrated every year in April.
And, this time around, the family has decided to honour the late Dembo with a free musical show in Chirumanzu, near where he was buried.
Breaking the news to H-Metro, Tendai said it was all systems go.
“Our father was a man of the people who loved his fans.
“As such, we are going to hold the usual family event in Chirumanzu by laying flowers on his grave and later we will hold a free show at the nearby shops (Chaka Growth Point) as a way of thanking fans for their loyalty and support.
“Fans will have an opportunity to mingle with us as we play some of our late father’s compositions and also our songs,” he said.
Tendai said the family remains humbled by the support they keep receiving from fans in honour of Dembo.
“Our phones are always inundated with calls from fans who still miss our late father.
“There are some fans who travelled from America just to come and see where our father’s remains were buried.
“This kind of love is unique in that he still commands a lot of respect 27 years after his death.”
Tendai believes they are doing their best to keep the legacy intact.
“We can’t replace him but we are just doing our best as kids,” he says.
“We’re happy with the support that we are receiving from fans.
“We are glad that people in Chirumanzu also respect our father and we can’t ask for more.”
His brother Morgan is also looking forward to the celebrations.
“The celebrations will take place on the 9th of April and they are going according to plan but the right person running the programme is Tindo.
“You can get in touch with him but I will be there in Chirumanzu,” he said.
Morgan and Tendai are equally talented although they have different strengths.
The two honed their skills under the tutelage of Alick Macheso who gave them exposure by giving them slots as supporting acts.
The two then split, with Tendai going on to hold solo shows, while Morgan has been recording solo projects.
Online Reporter