Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Sulumani Chimbetu

Sulumani Chimbetu is a Zimbabwean Dendera Music vocalist, guitarist, composer, stage performer and businessman. He is the frontman for the Orchestra Dendera Kings and son of the late Dendera music icon Simon Chimbetu. He first came to the public’s attention in 2004^, when he joined The Orchestra Dendera Kings. Since then he has had a career marked by successful collaborations  with several local artists as well as an international tour schedule. He is married to Marygold Chimbetu.

Check out here some of the things you might not know about Sulu below.

1. Sulumani was born in Chegutu on 27 May 1982.

2. He attended Nyahuni Mission School, Ellis Robbins School and studied at Christian College of Southern Africa (CCOSA) from 1999 to 2001. From 2003 to 2006 he was enlisted in the Airforce of Zimbabwe.

3. He first came to national attention when he joined the The Orchestra Dendera Kings in 2004^. Working under the tutelage of his uncle Allan Chimbetu and alongside his father Simon Chimbetu he juggled his fledgling music career with a full time job at the Airforce of Zimbabwe.

4. Following his father’s death in 2005 Sulumani left the Airforce of Zimbabwe to focus his energies on his music career

5.  With the departure of his uncle from The Orchestra Dendera Kings lineup he took control of the band. He launched a full-fledged solo career with the launch of his debut album in 2007 called “Ndomusiya Nani”.

6. He also embarked on a tour schedule to support his work performing both locally and abroad. The apex of his career came with the launch of his fourth album “Syllabus”.^[5] Released in 2012 it spawned the hit “Sean Timba” featuring Jah Prayzah and garnered the artists three National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) in 2013. A DVD compilation to support the album was also released in 2014^[6] and was hailed by his fans as being of high quality.

7. In August 2012 Sulumani launched an acting career after appearing in Season 2 of a local comedy series ”Bag Rabvaruka” alongside Sungura artist Peter Moyo. Assuming the role of a town boy in love with a girl eyed by many other suitors, Sulumani described the experience as “great fun” and an exploration as this was his first professional acting role. 

8. On 25 December 2013, Sulumani opened his own bar in Chegutu named “Batai Munhu Sports Bar”. The night spot which had been previously known as “Chegutu Arms” was renovated and rebranded by the artist.

9. In August 2013 Sulumani aided in the fundraising pursuits of Wicklow Simon Chimbetu Primary School located in Chegutu.

10. Early January 2015, Sulumani penned an endorsement deal with local cigarette manufacturer Savannah Tobacco. The deal was said to be one of the most lucrative endorsement deals in the country as the artist would receive direct support, publicity and marketing, album launches and other materials.