WHEN musicians shine in their different genres, their success is only associated with them and yet there are some people who work hard behind the scenes to contribute to this fame.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Locally, when it comes to awards — apart from Zim dancehall accolades — many of them honour artistes, overlooking the people within their management who act as catalysts to their success.
A close look at dendera ace Sulumani Chimbetu’s success on the local music scene cannot be attributed to his solo effort.
Chimbetu’s success is a result of the work of a visionary management team made up of operations manager Mateo Puraeni, band manager Knowledge Ngoma and publicist Joe “Local” Nyamungoma. Sulu’s management has excelled beyond everyone’s expectation to become one of the best in promoting the dendera brand.
The management’s good relationship with promoters has also facilitated in the promotion of the dendera brand, while Nyamungoma’s availability to the media at a time when some musicians distance themselves from publicity, has also aided the growth of their brand.
Nyamungoma, who is Sulu’s most trusted lieutenant, has not only brought a touch of professionalism to the dendera camp, but also worked tirelessly to bridge rivalry between the famous musical Chimbetu siblings.
The publicist has a rich management experience, having worked with the late Prince Tendai Mupfurutsa, but rose to stardom after joining Orchestra Dendera Kings as advisor to Sulu.
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Speaking to NewsDay over the weekend on the side-lines of his birthday celebrations at Rangers Gardens in Westlea, Harare where he was joined by hundreds of dendera fans, Nyamungoma said unity had resulted in the growth and success of Dendera Kings.
“As an institution with different characters, conflicts are always expected, but what is important is the way you solve the problems and move on,” Nyamungoma said.
“Within our dendera camp, we believe in unity, respect, discipline and hard work to bring success and that is why we are where we are today.”
He said Sulu is open to ideas, criticism and debate about their brand as professionals.
Many people affectionately refer to Nyamungoma as “Local”, a name he was given by former workmates when he worked at the late Mupfurutsa’s Ekhaya Petroleum.
“When Prince Tendai brought R&B singer Joe Thomas to Zimbabwe in 2009, he left me with the musician and then called on the office telephone line wanting to speak to Joe Thomas.
“She then asked Prince which Joe he was referring to, and he said he wanted the local Joe and that is how I became known as Joe Local while Thomas became Joe Foreign,” Nyamungoma said.
