Veteran musician Jonah Moyo has hinted at a possible collaboration with fellow music icon Alick Macheso, following a surprise joint performance that has ignited excitement among Zimbabwean music lovers.
The memorable moment unfolded during a talent development event organised by the Ester Sungura Music Development Association in Chimanimani. where eight emerging sungura musicians competed for top honours.
Moyo, leader of the Devera Ngwena Jazz Band, served as the chief adjudicator.
Reflecting on the occasion, the celebrated musician applauded the association for creating a platform that nurtures young talent while preserving the sungura genre.
"The impossible was made possible. Who was behind all this? It was the new kids on the block, the Ester Sungura Music Development Association. Big up to them—they deserve a pat on the back. If it wasn't for them, this would never have happened," said Moyo.
Although he had attended the event expecting only to adjudicate the competition, organisers had a surprise in store.
"I never imagined myself performing on that show. After all was said and done came the surprise of the century—the man himself, Baba Shero, on stage alongside myself, Dr Jonah Moyo."
The pair then performed Gremmah Wepamoyo, Devera Ngwena's classic 1980 hit that Macheso has often credited as one of the songs that inspired his journey into music.
Their chemistry on stage immediately sparked calls for the two legends to record together.
"Something was born here, and it's not the end of the story. More is to come and a possible collaboration coming soon," Moyo revealed.
The performance drew praise from across the music industry.
Gospel musician Togarirepi Chivaviro, best known as Rev Chivaviro, described the duet as a nostalgic reminder of Devera Ngwena's golden years.
"Devera Ngwena was the biggest institution in Zimbabwe's music fraternity as we grew up in the 1980s,” he said.
“They were played everywhere. VaMacheso is naturally gifted — the way he handled the bass impromptu was legendary.
“Even the bass lines from Dr Jonah sounded just like listening to the original vinyl record. It took us back. These are the legends of sungura.”
Renowned music historian and guitarist Clive “Mono” Mukundu also captured the moment in his trademark poetic style, saying the performance felt almost biblical.
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when vemagitare fellowship together,” he posted on his Facebook page.
“Macheso took up the dzvorevo bass while Dr Jonah Moyo answered with his lead guitar, and the spirit of Devera Ngwena seemed to move among the Sungura faithful.
“As I watched from the sidelines, Chimanimani people simply went waya-waya, asking one another, 'Was that rehearsed, or was it a prophecy?'
“Surely, good music shall follow these guitar legends all the days of their lives."
Should the collaboration materialise, it would bring together two of Zimbabwe's most influential sungura musicians — Moyo, one of the genre's pioneers, and Macheso, its modern-day standard bearer — in what promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated collaborations in recent memory.
Macheso publicist Tich Makahamadze did not respond to a WhatsApp text sent by Standard Style.