The Sunday Mail
Andrew Moyo – Leisure Reporter
OVER the years, a number of musicians have created timeless hits that have played a significant role in shaping the local entertainment scene.
The likes of Thomas Mapfumo, Leonard Dembo, Marshal Munhumumwe, Oliver Mtukudzi, Simon Chimbetu, Safirio Madzikatire, Sungura Boys, System Tazvida, Leonard Zhakata, Bhundu Boys and Tongai Moyo are just a few among talented artistes who have made a huge impact on the local music industry, and will forever be remembered for their creativity.
Unfortunately, a great number of Zimbabwe’s greatest talents have been devoured by death, leaving a huge void which has proven difficult to fill.
Some of the legacies that were left by these great men have been carried on by their sons, with some doing very well while others have struggled to keep up.
The latest artiste to be called to the afterlife is Pengaudzoke front man, Daiton Somanje, who succumbed to meningitis at Parirenyatwa Hospital and was laid to rest in his hometown of Marondera recently.
Daiton stormed the music industry in the early 90s with Pengaudzoke – a group he co-founded with his younger brother Josphat. With a signature sound and unique voices that dazzled fans, the two composed chart-topping hits and released numerous albums that did well on the market.
Dishing out hits like “Tsaona”, “Seiko Kuonda” and “Mai Linda” to mention just a few, the group established itself as a household name in sungura music.
After years of huge success and with a number of accolades under their belts, the brothers went their separate ways after several misunderstandings. This marked the beginning of their demise.
Josphat went on to form the Somanje Stars while Daiton carried on with Pengaudzoke, but the brothers failed to reproduce their previous combined success and both bands gradually took a plunge.
Of late, Pengaudzoke has been struggling to stay afloat and it still remains to be seen if the death of its leader also means the death of the group.
The mammoth task of reviving Pengaudzoke has been left in the hands of Daiton’s first born son, Faheem (27), who has vowed to bring it back to its former glory.
Faheem is not new to the music industry – but does he have it in him to keep his father’s legacy alive? Others like Suluman and Tryson Chimbetu, Peter Moyo and Tendai Dembo – have managed to stand on their own feet.
However, others like Freddy Chimombe, Elijah Madzikatire and John Chibadura’s sons John, Simba and Knowledge, have dismally failed to follow in their fathers’ footsteps.
Until his father’s death, Faheem was a backing vocalist in Pengaudzoke and led the band in four outings while his father was in hospital.
Despite working with his father, Faheem has his own band, Tokudai Mese, which he formed a few years ago. Tokudai Mese has already proved to be a force in Mashonaland East as the group came second in last year’s Chibuku Road to Fame provincial finals.
Even though there are documented reports of several disagreements between father and son, they seemed to have put their differences aside and late last year, Daiton helped Faheem put together an album, yet to be released.
At the funeral while giving speeches, a number of established artistes including Shepherd Chinyani showed faith in Faheem and encouraged him to carry on while some pledged to help him.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Leisure, Faheem said that he had promised his father while he was on his deathbed that he would do his best to keep Pengaudzoke alive.
“My father’s death is a great loss to both the family and the band. I am going to make sure that his legacy does not die with him just like I promised him before he died,” said Faheem.
Faheem, who joined Pengaudzoke in 2010 before forming his own group, is now planning to combine the best talents from Tokudai Mese and Pengaudzoke to create one band.
“I am going to take some of the most gifted guys from Tokudai Mese and combine them with those from Pengaudzoke so as to beef up our act.”
Faheem is already in the process of securing shows for the new-look Pengaudzoke with the help of his uncle, Josphat.
“My uncle is going to be helping us out as an adviser and in other areas as well, however, he is not going to be rejoining us.”
Whisky Amin, Daiton’s nephew, who is part of Tokudai Mese as well as Pengaudzoke, was full of praise for Faheem.
“Faheem is a good musician and I have no doubt that he will carry out the task at hand without any difficulties. The reason why my uncle recalled Faheem and I to Pengaudzoke was to groom us – I now see what he was preparing us for.”
Will Faheem succeed with Pengaudzoke or is this yet another lost cause? Only time will tell.
