Dendera fans thronged Orange Grove Hotel, Chinhoyi, in their numbers to celebrate the life of the late “Dendera King” Simon Chimbetu on Monday.
The show that ended on Tuesday was meant to remember the life of Chimbetu who was affectionately known by his legion of fans as “Chopper”, who died seven years ago and was buried at the Mashonaland West Provincial Heroes’ Acre.
The first of its kind, the show was held under the theme “Ndarangarira Gamba”.
Orchestra Dendera Kings public relations manager Joe Nyamungoma said: “I would like to thank all those who came, especially the fans.
“The event could have not been a success if they had not come. This is the beginning of great things to come.”
People who graced the show included Media, Information and Publicity minister Webster Shamu, close family members and Zanu PF provincial leadership.
Shamu said he was happy to be part of the event and was grateful that the family managed to organise such a great show, as in Chimbetu the country had not only lost a musician, but a liberation war hero too.
Chimbetu’s brother Allan thanked the fans for their “untiring” support and for gracing the event on a special day for the family.
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Sulu, Douglas and Allan performed Simon’s songs together on the night, something they have never done before.
Other artists who performed at the Dendera gala included Cindy Munyavi, the Chibaduras and Shinso. Fans who attended the show said they would love to see the Chimbetus collaborating on other live shows, as they gave a splendid performance as a “united force”.
The only absentee on that day was Tryson who could not attend the show for “personal reasons”.
Fans had earlier met in the morning when the Chimbetus visited Simon’s grave site on a day which coincided with heroes’ day commemorations.
