Tongai Moyo

During his time with Shirinhema Jazz Band, Moyo was taught to play the guitars by Mike Yokoniya who played the rhythm and lead guitars.

Shepherd Musekiwa left to form Shiri Chena Express. Moyo and Ronnie Mudhindo followed Musekiwa since he was well known by that time.

At Shiri Chena Jazz Band, Shepherd Musekiwa did both the lead vocals and played lead guitar while Tongai was on rhythm (guitar) and Mudhindo played the bass guitar.^[2]

To horn his craft, the 'Muchinamuhombe' singer, played in numerous bands and eventually joined Shirichena Jazz Band as a session musician, and helped the band to release two albums and a single. The most popular was "Ndoita Zvangu Ndega" which was released in 1991 Moyo was virtually known by then.

He went on to create his own band the Utakataka Express after which he released his first solo album, 'Vimbo' in 1996. The album earned Moyo a name in the music industry, which was dominated by the likes of Nicholas Zakaria and Alick Macheso who sang the same genre. Since then, he never looked back and went on to relese 14 albums to his credit.^[3] The album "Naye" saw Dhewa hogging the limelight with his chart topper "Nemumvura Mese" which earned him two Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA). At the time of his death, Moyo had just released his 14th album 'Toita basa'.

International Tours

Dhewa travelled the length and breadth of the world giving his music fans a musical therapy. He toured the United Kingdom, USA, Botswana and South Africa at times in the company of Oliver Mtukudzi and Alick Macheso.

Discography

• Mudzimu Weshiri (2001)
• Samayemba (2002)
• Chingwa (2003)
• Naye (2005) ^[4]
• Pakanaka Dhewa (2006)

Awards

He won several Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA) and National Arts Merit Awards NAMA). His hit song 'Naye' clinched two ZIMA awards in 2005.

Controversy

The man was never short of controversy. In 2003, he courted the public ire, after he proceeded with his maiden UK tour yet he had received news of the death of his father. The Igwe defendd himself saying he needed to work for the money that the UK promoter had given him which had all gone towards his father's medication. Five years down the line, Dhewa was at it again when in 2008 reportedly said Macheso was no match for him because he was uneducated. This created a war of words and bitter rivalry that would not end despite efforts by several promoters to bring them together through joint shows.^[5]

HIV Claims

He was once rumoured to be HIV positive as his health deteriorated. He was forced to undergo a public HIV test to kill off rumours that he was in fact battling the illness. The singer is said to have tested negative for the HIV virus according to the journalist who accompanied him.^[6]

Emotional Send Off

Moyo died at the age of 43 on after succumbing to Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His popularity was evident even at his burial as over 15 000 people packed into Mbizo Stadium in Kwekwe to pay their last respects to him. An estimated 10 000 also graced the funeral. The funeral turned to be a celebration of his life as musicians took to stage to perfom. Somandla Ndebele, Macheso, Leonard Zhakata, Tedius Matsito and Chase Skuza performed at the burial. They did a rendition of the song “Zvinoita Murudo”. Monica Chikasha performed her “Sele” dance routine, which was a common feature at Dhewa’s live shows.^[7]

Music Videos

References