The Sunday Mail
Leisure Reporter
VOLT, formerly Book Cafe, was the setting and Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu, a crowd puller of note in local music circles, was the main act.
An unknown curtain raiser, performing for a paying audience for the first time, was to warm up the stage. His name, Sam Dondo, did not ring any bells among the audience.
To make matters worse, the newbie was nowhere to be found long after music lovers had started imbibing, waiting for the music which came at a not-so-easy $10 per head.
It seemed as if the young Dondo had already written his first damp squib and would be forgotten as soon as the tested Orchestra Dendera Kings and their affable leader Sulu, took to the stage.
That was not to be Dondo’s story. His instrumentalists, made up of fierce lead guitarist Trust Samende, keyboardist Munya Viya, Tatenda Viya on acoustic, Linthens Musoni on bass guitar and renowned drummer Freedom Manatsa, made their way to the stage.
In no time the instruments had blended and sweet music filled the Volt. The lanky Dondo and his team of female backing vocalists joined the rest of the ensemble on stage. Former 3rd Generation vocalist-cum-dancer, Generator, was part of the frontline. Grudgingly, people began to dance but soon found themselves requesting for encores.
Dondo belted his own compositions namely, “Makwidza”, “Bvunzemoto”, “Nhamo”, “Peka Uyende”, “Dyara Kunamata” and “Zviuya Zvirimberi”. Some of the songs were slow while some were fast paced – but all were made distinct by the fresh and powerful voice of the 30-year-old.
Dondo’s stage, although a bit overcrowded, has serious energy. Well-choreographed dances tell of a serious investment in rehearsals, while the coordination with his vocalists belies his lack of experience. The talented singer, who is currently working on his debut album, is like a dynamite waiting to explode.
Having been adopted by one of the biggest music producers in the country, Munya Viya of Vialy Studios, who is responsible for creating some of the biggest hits lately – the young man seems to be on the right path.
Viya himself was full of praise for Dondo, although, he was quick to warn that it was too soon for the untested musician to even be on the pages of a paper such as The Sunday Mail.
However, Viya says he is not in the habit of just picking up people from the streets to groom them. “I am a busy man. Between my several jobs and the studio, I really cannot afford to waste time on every Jack and Jill. This young man has a powerful voice and is confident. It is rare to find those qualities in one person.
“The other thing is that he is hardworking, he puts in the time. He arrives at the studio at 9am and leaves around 10.30pm. We have divided those hours into voice projection training, dance routines, band practice and the actual recording. I have never heard him complain,” said Viya.
Viya, who has assumed the role of musical guardian, has assembled a tight band for Dondo and they have since completed recording six tracks. One of the songs “Kukanganwa Nhamo”, features Sulu.
Said Sulu: “I first heard Sam’s music in Chivu when we shared the stage. The music was good and yet I could not put a face to it. That is when I was told of Sam Dondo. When we finally spoke and he gave me his demo, I enjoyed the music. Afterwards he asked me to feature on one of his songs and I said, why not?”
Like Viya, Sulu also had a bit of advice for the singer. “There are many talented people in this country but the problem is most of them are impatient and sometimes fame quickly gets to their heads when a song or an album is received well by the fans. Sam has a special voice, is organised and has an easy going musical character that is why I have put my name on his work. I have also enlisted his services as my curtain raiser for a number of shows – watch the space.”
The song “Kukanganwa Nhamo” is a party song, which urges music fans, especially at a live show, to forget their troubles and enjoy the music.
“Chimbokanganwai nhamo vakomana ava vauya neni kuti mufare, chavo kukwenya magitare kukutandadzai . . .” goes the song in one stanza.
Born in Kadoma in 1985, Dondo says music runs in his blood as his father was also an artiste who unfortunately never went professional. Like most artistes, Dondo was groomed at church.
“When I was young I attended AFM and I used to sing in the church choir, which is where I can say my musical journey started. During that time I was just doing it as a hobby and I did not think I would take it up as a profession later in life,” said Dondo.
Dondo attended Mupamombe Primary School in Rimuka, Kadoma before proceeding to Rimuka High School where he completed his ordinary level studies in 2002.
After completing his ‘O’ Level, Dondo did not immediately take up music, rather he crossed the border into Botswana in search of work.
It was in Botswana that he had his first encounter with Viya when the two met at a home studio where the producer had been invited to help out. The two were to meet again back home when Dondo shared the stage with Sulu, Jah Prayzah and Oliver Mtukudzi in Chivu last December.
“When I was in Botswana I was not that serious with music but I used to perform at small events and at one point I recorded some songs but they never got to see the light of day.
“When I performed in Chivu late last year, sharing the stage with the likes of Jah Prayzah and Sulu, the reception I received was overwhelming and encouragement from several individuals led me to make the decision of working on an album.
“We are planning on doing a 10-track album that we will be launching on March 12. So far I am satisfied with the progress we have made and I have learnt a lot from Munya during the period we have been working together,” said Dondo.
He is billed as the next big thing on the Afro-fusion scene by those who have heard his music, but can he go all the way?
