Son to revive Muchawaya’s legacy

By Latwell Nyangu

Itai, son to the late sungura musician Ketai “Mukoma Ketai” Muchawaya, has promised to revive his father’s legacy.

Itai who has been battling to revive his father’s outfit, Simba Brothers, said he is now mature enough to take music to another level.

“Music has been in me and I used to attend shows with my father where I would dance on stage.

“He used to enjoy my dances.

“Initially, I wanted to revive the band in 2003 but I was very young and some of the band members were now focusing on their own lives.

“I also had no motivation, experience and there was no direction, before I went back to school,” said Itai.

The 35 year-old added:

“In 2005, I resumed live shows before I recorded my first project but it didn’t come out well.

“I then dumped the idea again before I reorganised myself in 2013 since I felt I had matured and passion was beginning to knock on my doorstep.

“In 2014, I released a six track album Ngoma Ndiyo Ndiyo. I then started to push some shows in 2016 since people were now forgetting my father’s name.

“Fans began to appreciate the music and motivated us to push the work further.

“Promoters were also doubting us but they are now seeing light at the end of the tunnel.”

Itai who is the eldest son in the family said the family members are supportive of his dream.

“The family is very supportive and I have assembled a new band, Donald Gogo, also come to support us since he worked with my father.

“Despite having the new team, I do some consultations from musicians like Alick Macheso, Madzibaba Zacharia and many other seniors.

“I once performed at Sulu show,” he said.

Itai said he has been performing in Chegutu and other towns where fans have been recommending them to continue with music.

“We are currently rehearsing for a new album and if all goes well we will be releasing it between August and September.

“We have surprise artists on the album.”

Some of the songs which Itai has worked on include Ngei Muchidaro, Ida ini Munhu, Rudo vaviri, ZVinhu Zvaoma, Mandofa, Nyasha Dzedenga.

Muchawaya died in 1999, and the original Simba Brothers came from the now defunct Kasongo.

Simba Brothers have songs which include Zuva neZuva, Dai Uriwe, Mandivengerei, kuroora tanga wafunga. H-Metro