Mberengwa man revisits Leonard Dembo’s history

By Dr Tinashe Gumbo

My twins Tadiwanashe and Tapiwanashe have continued to pin me down seeking some “convincing explanation” as to why the late Leonard Dembo was not accorded a hero status “if he was indeed better than Soul Jah Love who was declared a hero”. I always tell them that the concept of heroism in our Zimbabwean context has remained subjective and at most, controversial. That for another day! At least my wife, Angela Zvipo has always defended my stance on Dembo-because Angie was the “Chitekete, the Sharai, the Gire, the Ziviso, the Ruva Rashe and the Paw Paw” of the late 80s into 90s before she became Mai Two in the early 2000s. Thus, she has the energy and authority to defend the Dembo legacy, fighting from my corner.

Today, the 9th of April 2021, marks 25 years after the demise of my own hero, Leonard Dembo. The man influenced my entire life even in his death. It all started when I was in grade three, in 1987 when my now late uncle Piraishe Mike Mpfuwambwa introduced me to the Dembo and Chibadura music. Those days Dembo’s “Nhamo Moto”, “Kuziva Mbuya Huudzwa” and “Sharai” albums were rocking the airwaves. My uncle would play these tunes each time he was back from the Mozambique operation where, he was part of the regiment that was helping the Frelimo to fight against the notorious Renamo group. Unfortunately, it is that ugly war that subsequently took away my uncle’s life in 1989 (MHSRIP). My now late brother Emmanuel Gumbo, amplified my love for Dembo’s music in early 1990s. Fainos Jika Nkomo, my childhood friend and neighbor in Mberengwa may testify how, together, we would spend the whole day listening to Zii Zii, Gire, Kukura Kwedu, Ziviso, and Chitekete in his father’s house around 1995/6. Yet, my childhood friend, Piason “Golie” Sigauke will tell you of the incident at Chiipire place at Jeka Business Centre in Mberengwa West where we played Zii Zii the whole night. This was in 1992 and we wanted to console ourselves after our Guruva School Under 16 Soccer Team had been robbed of a clear win by Chegato High School Team in a match that had been marred with controversy played at Ruzengwe School earlier that afternoon.

At the University of Zimbabwe, my colleagues called me “Dembo” because of my uncontrollable love for Dembo music. I actually liked it, to be associated with such a man who had totally influenced my life was a great honor for me. My feelings, my taste of music, political and social world view are all hinged on this music which others have described as sungura while others like Fred Zindi (2020) argue that it is jiti with rhumba infusion. I am not ashamed to be associated with Dembo.

The history of Leonard Dembo has remained sketchy and, in most cases, distorted. I have always been concerned that our future generations will not be able to fully understand the history of this music legend. At times I even feel bad that my sons do not seem to value the music of Dembo, the man I highly regard in my life, let alone comparing him to the likes of little known the late Sauro. I have always tried to be so hard to my sons by arguing that comparing Dembo to their most loved Sauro is like comparing the Barcelona Football Club to the virtually unknown Bvumbura or Mavorovondo Boozers Clubs who are not even in any football category. This is how I thought I would influence their perspective on Dembo. I forgive my sons because my generation has not done enough to preserve the history of our departed musicians in general. I however, salute Fred Zindi and a few others who have committed their time to dig and preserve the history of our late musicians.

Nevertheless, what has remained clear is that the early history of Dembo in particular is not known or at least not complete. Where the history is attempted at, it remains controversial if not confused.

This situation is not true of other departed musicians whose history is well known and documented without any controversy surrounding it. These include musicians such as Oliver and Sam Mtukudzi, Cephas Mashakada, Jordan Chataika, Chimbetu brothers (Simon, Naison, and Brian), Paul Matavire, Tongai Moyo, Daiton Somanje, Tedius Muchapedza Matsito, Tinei Chikupo, John Chibadura, Fanyana Dube, Solomon Skuza, James Chimombe, Biggie Tembo, Tazvida Brothers (System and
Peter), Chiwoniso Maraire, Dumisani Maraire, Tendai Mupfurutsa, Marshal Munhumumwe, Thomas Makioni, Ephat Mujuru, Nduna Malaba, Brian Sibalo, Don Gumbo, Sekuru Gora, Kenneth Chigodora, Beater Mangethe, Safirio Madzikatire, George Pada, Marko Sibanda, Mukoma Ketai, Jonah Sithole, Jackie Madondo, Andy Brown and many more.

One wonders why the Dembo early days have continued to be exposed to various interpretations. I try in this piece to sample a few issues in Dembo’s history which have not seen writers or even fans converging. I relied heavily on my personal experience with Dembo music (an experience spanning from 1987 to 2021); numerous newspaper articles by Zindi mainly in the Standard; Tawanda Marwizi of the Herald; Tendai Dembo’s letter in the Standard; Fidelis Manyange of the Patriot and the long interview on Dembo aired by the ZBC’s National FM on 9 April 2020 featuring Raphael Makwiramiti who was Dembo’s longtime friend and manager, Michel Jambo, Innocent Mujintu, Mbuya Dembo and Eunice Dembo (the wife to the musician).

Birth Day Debate

I went through much of the available literature on the internet and was astonished to observe that even Dembo’s birth day is an area of discussion. While 6 February 1959 has always been regarded as his birth day, another date is cited in the literature. I had hoped to see Fred Zindi, who has emerged as one of the main sources of much of Dembo’s history (at least as far as I am concerned) citing the musician’s birth day, but I could not confirm with him on this one. One of Dembo’s sons, Tendai, is cited as having written in April 2020, giving 29 December 1959 as the birth day for his late father. Interestingly, Tendai actually warns that anyone who may claim to know his father’s early history will be lying to the world. According to Tendai, the first “authentic” documentation of the history of his father was when he had released the song Manga Majaira Matsotsi in 1979. This assertion by Tendai is not supported by any known literature to the current writer.

However, there seems to exist some agreement that Leonard’s father died and left him while he was five years old. Leonard’s sister was at eight, while his brother was three years old then. These young ones were left to fend for themselves probably subsequently influencing Dembo’s later messages in his music particularly in Nhamo Takura Nayo, Nhamo Moto, Kukura Kwedu and other songs he composed.

Chivi-Chirumanzu : Masvingo-Midlands Controversy

Many sources I have consulted have indicated that Dembo was born in Chivi, Masvingo province. Yet, alternative sources argue that Leonard was born in Chirumanzu (Chaka area) in the Midlands province. This leaves one confused as to the truth regarding Dembo’s birth place. I tried to figure out how Chivi could have been confused for Chirumanzu considering that these places fall in totally different provinces. This is one area that Fred Zindi and others may want to continue interrogating to smoothen this curve. Writing in 2017, Zindi claims to have interviewed Dembo himself in 1993 when he indicated that he was born in Chirumanzu, in the Midlands. Remember, it was rare, very rare indeed, for Dembo to concede for an interview. He was camera shy such that his shows were not officially covered by the media. Reports indicate that he would leave the stage to “deal” with anyone who would have attempted at taking a picture of the show. This probably explains why not much is known about this musician. I know of a few videos of Dembo: Manager, Sharai and some live coverage of his show on the internet. Yet, it is argued that all these were impromptu recordings of Dembo thereby suggesting that it could have been against his will. Ethically, it is wrong to take a picture of someone without his or her consent. At least unethical as it may be, we now have something about this legend in form of videos. So…whose report are we going to believe about Dembo’s birth place?

What is in the Name (s)

There is general consensus among those who commit to write about the musician’s history that his first name was Leonard (although a few regard Kwangwari as the first name). Notable differences come with regards to the second and nick names associated with him. For Tendai Dembo, his father’s name was Leonard Tazvivinga aka Leonard Musorowenyoka Mavara Dembo. Please, reader, note how Mavara and Dembo have been separated here. Yet, other sources call him Leonard Dembomavara. Still, others argue that he was born Kwangwari Gwaindepi. Citing, Dembo as the source, Zindi (2017) further indicates that the musician himself confirmed that he was born Leonard Tazvivinga Dembomavara.

Then comes the other one, Musorowenyoka. Some sources argue that this nickname was given to him as an appreciation of Dembo’s skills that could be matched with those of a snake. Indeed, here was a skillful musician whose lead guitar almost “talked”. His artistic hand manifested clearly in Kutinya Marimba (I request you to play this one and you will see what I mean reader). Yet, others hold that Musorowenyoka came about as a result of the shape of his bald head. If this is true then, what some writers claim can be true too, that at one-point, Dembo had to beat up a fan who had called him by that name and it could have been unpalatable.

Buhera-Bulawayo-Harare-Bulawayo-Harare

According to Zindi, at the age of seven when he started his primary education in Buhera, Dembo was already a good guitarist. Again, one alternative source argues that the musician became a guitarist at nine and not seven. In any case, on this one, the difference is the same though.
There is general agreement that Dembo left Buhera for Bulawayo where he continued with his education up to grade seven. Controversy is back though! There are those who argue that Dembo never saw the door of a secondary classroom as he could not afford the school fees. This is in stark disagreement with yet another strong position that Dembo attended Chembira Secondary School in Harare and could only drop later due to fees challenges. According to Zindi (2017), Dembo himself shared that he left before completing form four, further strengthening the possibility that he attended secondary education though probably not reaching higher levels.

Listening to Dembo’s music, I can not confirm his literacy or illiteracy levels. I normally joke with my wife that the only English words that Dembo knew very well were “Very Sorry where Sorry is spelt as Sori” and “Dear where it is spelt Dhiya”. There is a song I like which ran like “Ndati sorry, very sorry, mudiwa wangu sorivo…. mangwana zvichava zvako mudiwa wangu sorivo…”.

The search for employment saw Dembo going back to Bulawayo (year not known or at least not documented). While in Bulawayo, when it had become clear that there was no employment for him, Dembo met someone whose advice later changed his life completely. It was in 1979 according to available sources when Dembo met Cosmas Nyathi, a very good guitarist who advised him to consider entering the music industry. In 1980, Dembo found his way back to Harare. This was the year the country attained its independence although it is not known whether this was one of the key factors for his change of location. While Bulawayo is featuring very well in Dembo’s sketchy history, I have not come across any hit song that he attempted in Ndebele-maybe Amalume?

Dembo plus Four Others-Outsiders-Five Notes-Barura Express

While in Harare, Dembo told Zindi in 1993, teamed up with four others but tried unsuccessfully to record any song. This however, further built his confidence and skills in the music industry. Thus, in 1982, he joined a group known as the Outsiders. It is under this group that the hit “Venenzia” was produced. I remember one of my brothers back in Mberengwa, Ashely (Asheli)Gumbo earning the name Venenzia for his love of the song. The release of two more hits, Dambudzo and Amalume changed the whole Dembo brand. Dambudzo, is still a hit to this day (though at times for the wrong reasons where opponents of President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa would want to use it to convey their message of disapproval of the regime’s polices).

From the literature, it is not clear when Dembo left the Outsiders to join the Five Notes. It is not even clear whether it was from the Five Notes to the Outsiders. What is also not clear is the year he formed his own group, Barura Express. Some say it was in 1984 while others argue that Barura Express was only formed in 1985. Those arguing for 1984, go further to assert that it is with the Barura Express that Dembo recorded Mai neVana Vavo in the same year. Writers are not agreed on the source of the name Barura itself. Some claim that it was named after a mountain either in Buhera or Chivi. The good thing is that if one becomes serious about resolving this particular controverse in the history of Dembo, he or she can visit the two areas and confirm the existence or non-existence of such a mountain in any of the two areas. Members of the Barura Express later included, Innocent Mujintu (only surviving member now according to available sources), Alexander Muudzwa, Chrispen Zimburu, Cosmas Nyathi, Kidson Madzorera, Shepard Akim.

Dembo’s Music Library

It is with the Badura Express that Dembo recorded the following albums: “Amai Nevana Vavo “ (1984) (this can only be confirmed once the birth day of the group Barura Express itself is ascertained),“Nhamo Moto” (1986), “Kuziva Mbuya Huudzwa” (1987), “Sharai” (1987), “Kukura Kwedu” (1988), “Ruva Rashe” (1989), “Kukura Hakutani” (1990, which was a 12-inch disc-we called it an LP for long play), “Chitekete” (1991), “Tinokumbira Kurarama/Madhiri” (1992), “Mazano” (1993), “Kutinya Marimba” (1993), “Nzungu Ndamenya” (1994),“Pawpaw” (1994), “Shiri Yakangwara” (1995) and “Babamunini” (1996).

Chitekete-Mazano Hits

Chitekete was released in 1991 and within two weeks, it had sold over 100 000 copies. This was the most successful song of all times in Zimbabwe, at least according to the multitudes of Dembo fans. Some sources have argued that the song was written long back when Dembo was still a herd boy in the rural areas. While the song became a hit, Raphael Makwiramiti, argues that it was Mazano that was the most successful one and actually “built Dembo’s Belvedere House”. Makwiramiti shared this in a long interview that was aired on ZBC’s National FM in 2020 to celebrate the life of Dembo. Makwiramiti presented himself as a person who new Dembo’s life more than any other person in Zimbabwe. He had a lot to share about their professional and personal lives with Dembo. He however, conceded that Dembo’s only trusted friend in the industry was another musician, the Vimbiso hit maker, Michel Jambo. When he was not on stage, Dembo used to fly with Makwiramiti to Bulawayo or South Africa, Makwiramiti shared. From that radio interview, it was clear that Makwiramiti was instrumental in raising the Dembo brand. Dembo’s mother, in the same interview seemed to confirm the role that Makwiramiti played till the musician’s last hours on earth and even in death.

Relationship with the Media and the Camera Holders

Fame comes with its own package of harassment and criticism by the media, fans and promoters as well as high and at times difficult to fulfil expectations from the fans. What seems to be well known about Dembo is his relationship (or lack of it) with the media. He is often described as a media or camera-shy musician. Closely looking at the few videos that I talked to earlier on, I noted this characteristic of Dembo. It is recorded that he never liked to be photographed. Those who tried to do so, they did it at their own peril according to all sources consulted. There are stories where he would beat up fans or journalists who would have tried to take a photograph of his shows. Interestingly, the “talking” guitar could be strategically turned into a weapon to discipline such “culprits”. Indeed, sources show that Dembo was such a short-tempered musician. Makwiramiti shared of an incident when Dembo beat up his Manager at Delta, probably prompting him to compose and release the song that ran Zvaunotuka Manager Variivo Vanokupa Mari…Ko Mhuri Yako Mwanawe Unozoichengeta Neiko…..At some point, reports Manyange, Dembo in 1992, discharged a firearm when a crowd had blocked his Toyota Cressida trying to stop him from leaving as they wanted him to continue playing. Of course, it is said that he faced the demands of the law in that case. Zindi, continued to share of another incident when the University of Zimbabwe rowdy students also harassed Dembo, demanding that he continue playing even though nature had demanded that he briefly leave the stage. That is how fans can treat their own “idols” at times. Mbiri inouya nemuseredzero, Oliver Mtukudzi warned.

Superstitious-Religious

It was shared by Makwiramiti that Dembo would argue that a video would expose him to witches who could destroy him through a needle (kumubaya netsono patelevision). The man was so superstitious, according to Makwiramiti, that he even suspected some of his contemporary artists such as Simon Chimbetu and John Chibadura (whom he called Zvigure) of having supernatural powers capable of destroying his career. Some beerhall talk (not confirmed in the literature) went on to suggest that Dembo hated Chimbetu to the extent of composing a celebratory song when the Chopper had been jailed in the early 1990s. The suggestion is that Shamwari Yangu Warova (commonly known as Madhiri) was meant for the purpose.

Dembo was a believer in ancestral and supernatural. Mbuya Dembo shared that her son would always drive down to Chirumanzu to take her to Harare to facilitate the brewing of some traditional beer that would be used as offering to the ancestors each time a new album was to be launched. Manyange (of the Patriot), writing in 2018, indicates that Dembo’s right hand was always full of “black power wrist bands” signifying his belief in some super powers resident somewhere. Although, this claim was not supported by any other alternative source, Manyange indicates that Dembo contracted a builder from some rural area (I will not mention it here since I am sensitive of some of these issues) to construct his Belvedere Home out of his strong belief in superstitions. Mbuya Dembo added that her son used “bute” each time he was discussing serious family issues with the mother.

I noted that during his last years on earth, Dembo sang much of Yahweh (our Almighty). In Mutadzi Ngaaregererwe, Ndiri Mudiki Handina Nharo Nemwi, Yave, Kangamwiro and others, Dembo clearly expressed his fear and respect of the Almighty beyond his ancestors. Indeed, when he was no longer well in terms of his health, Dembo was connected to the Madzibaba Sect by Nicholas Zacharia. I am not going to venture much into the Madzibaba story for this piece. What I can only say is that Mbuya Dembo shared that despite his association with the Madzibaba Church, on his death bed, Dembo actually requested a scud from his mother when she had visited him at the Avenues Clinic some hours before his death. It can be concluded that Dembo was a religious man-he believed in and worshipped a superhuman controlling power.

Political Consciousness

While Dembo could not openly criticize or support the political players of the day, for me he was politically conscious. Getting into his library, one may not see much that pointed towards Dembo as a politically conscious musician. I however, noted his song that ran like Kana Ndorangarira Magamba eZimbabwe…paChinhoyi…Akafa Achishupika aya…. Misodzi Inobuda kana Ndorangarira…. panedzimwe Dzimba dzakaparara…. paChinhoyi…. pakasara vana nherera…. Clearly, this confirms Dembo’s consciousness about the political developments of the day. I remember, this song was normally played on the then Radio 2 whenever we were preparing to celebrate our independence in April of each year.

Linked to this is his social justice drive. In the album Chitekete, there is a song entitled Chinyemu. Sources have generally agreed that Dembo was contesting the heavy taxes that were imposed by the Tax Man onto the worker then. The heavy tax that characterized the taxation process in Zimbabwe, left the worker with nothing for his or her family. Kwaiva kunyemudziwa chaiko. You earn some amount as your salary and almost half of that is taken by the Tax Man, then Chinyemu chaicho ichi. Thus, though not so politically rooted, Dembo was aware of the social, economic and political issues that affected his society.

Attempting to Summarize Dembo’s Messaging

Generally, Dembo’s message was centered around societal issues pertaining to love, unity, peace, social justice and for me politics too. Briefly, I try to sample a few of his songs and the key messages he pursued as far as I am concerned:

• On love, Dembo’s library cannot be exhausted but here is sample: Chitekete; Dzinde Rerudo; Ruva Rashe; Zii Zii; Gire; Paw Paw; Janet; Dudzai; Ziviso; Venenzia; Dambudzo; Sarura Wako; Chengeto, Dhiya Wangu Lovemore, Kukura Hakutani, Thulisile Ruva ReMoyo, Wakandigona, Funga Zuva Rimwe paGore, Tamba Yangu Nditambe Yako, and many more

• Political consciousness: Kana Ndorangarira Magamba eZimbabwe

• On poverty: Murombo; Rimwe Gore Muchandidemba

• Social justice: Chinyemu

• Forgiveness: Tinokumbira Kurarama/Mutadzi Ngaaregererwe; Kangamwiro; Very Sorry and others

• Miserable past: Kukura Kwedu; Nhamo Moto; Nhamo Takura Nayo; Ndozvireva Kunaniko Zvandisina Hama; Wakakurira Munhamo; Kuziva Mbuya Huudzwa and others

• On advice: Shiri Yakangwara; Hande Kumusha Vadzimu Vedu Vafare; Zorora Wawana, Manager, Zvinonakidza Zvinoyerera Nenyika Mwanangu and others

• Culturally rooted: Wadanen’anga; Musha Rudzii; Mazano and others

• Familyhood: Mai Nevana Vavo; Sekuru Ndibatsireiwo Ndadaidzira Nemisodzi Ndanzwa; Vane Mazita Makuru Havatukwi; Miriro; Janet; Fungai and others

• On in laws: Vamwene NeMuroora Ndapota; Tezvara Ndinokutendai; Nzungu Ndamenya; Munovenga Mudzimai Wangu and others

• On relationship with other artistes: Madhiri/Shamwari Yangu Warova

• On his departure from earth: Babamunini Hamungadaro; Ndirimudiki Handina Nharo; Yave

Lastly, my greatest appreciation goes to the Dembo family, Mbuya Dembo, the wife (Eunice), Morgan, Tendai and Fenny for keeping the legacy of my hero alive. Thank you Fenny for coordinating our Facebook platform, Dembo the Legend where as fans we find time to exchange ideas regarding our hero. I wish all the fans a happy Dembo Day, the 9th of April 2021. I offer to lead a Dembo Day Movement if that is a good idea with all the Dembo fans and family. However, reader, please contact me on Email: tinashegumbo@gmail.com or WhatsApp or Call: +263773 218 860 or follow me on @DrTinasheGumbo1 for any feedback about this article and my concrete suggestions made.

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