The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
SATURDAY will mark exactly 11 years since sungura maestro Tongai Moyo passed away.
“Dhewa” or “Igwe”, as the Utakataka Express frontman was affectionately known, died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare.
Following his death on October 15, 2011, his eldest son, Peter “Young Igwe” Moyo, took over the reins at Utakataka Express.
Along the way, Obert, who was only 11 when Dhewa died, assembled his own Utakataka Express, though he suffixes 4×4 to the group’s name.
However, senior band members who worked with Dhewa stuck with Peter.
This year, a commemoration show for the late sungura giant has been scheduled for Mutare.
The Sunday Mail Society caught up with senior band member Tendai Chapatarongo, who doubles as a dancer and vocalist.
He chronicled some of the most memorable moments he shared with Dhewa.
Better known as “Yamathele” or “Kedha”, the gifted 41-year-old entertainer happens to be one of the surviving dancers of the original Utakataka Express.
Despite the challenges that have stalked the band following its founder’s death, the dancer-cum-chanter has stood by Peter.
“Dhewa transformed me. He gave me a life, and that keeps me loyal to Utakataka Express. Abandoning Peter would be absolute betrayal,” said Yamathele.
The former Diamond Musica dancer joined the band in 2004 after Dhewa wooed him, having been impressed by his dance moves at the rhumba ensemble.
Yamathele, who was staying in Chitungwiza at the time, had to relocate to Kwekwe, where Dhewa was based.
The “Nemumvura Mese” hitmaker bought him new property and rented him an apartment. He recalls going on a shopping spree after getting his first salary.
“It was way more than what we got at Diamond Musica. I had never held $4 000 cash. I went wild,” recalls the dancer.
In 2005, Dhewa released his award-winning album “Naye”.
He went on to buy residential stands for his band members.
Over time, Yamathele grew to be one of Dhewa’s favourites and groomed him to be a backing vocalist.
The late sungura singer would also often invite him to his family home for lectures about music and life.
When Dhewa released videos for the album “Pinda Panyanga”, Yamathele had long established himself as a vital cog in the Kwekwe-based ensemble.
He still has memories of his first two United Kingdom tours.
“It was a lifetime experience. Mudhara was no longer well. Regrettably, all I did with my huge earnings was to buy loads of clothes,” said Yamathele.
Around 2009, the crew went on another UK tour. Due to deteriorating health, Dhewa would take frequent breaks during a show, something that worried his crew.
Yamathele would at times shed tears on stage as he watched his boss struggle with pain.
Some would even suggest cancelling shows.
“His usual response was, ‘Manje munodyei ndikadaro?’ The man had his band at heart.”
According to the dancer, Dhewa’s health was to further deteriorate after his wife Barbara Muchengeti committed suicide in 2010.
“Everything took a downward spiral; life became tough. When he told us about his condition, he did not sound serious, so we hoped he would be fine.
“It was heart-breaking to see . . . sometimes having to perform seated on a chair to a point that we had to cancel some shows.”
After Tongai Moyo’s death, band members had to adjust, and began working with Peter.
For him to quickly learn the ropes, they spent a gruelling three months perfecting his stage and studio art.
Their first show was at the Sports Diner, where Utakataka Express loyalists packed the venue in honour of the late artiste.
However, a decade later, most fans have since deserted the band for various reasons.
“It is heart-breaking. If I could trade anything just to have a moment with Dhewa, I would,” added Yamathele, holding back tears.
