SULUMAN Chimbetu may be enjoying a purple patch but the death of his father continues to weigh heavily on him – 20 years after he passed away.
Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu died on August 14, 2005, at the age of 49.
He was declared a provincial hero, and buried at Chinhoyi Heroes Acre in Mashonaland West.
Although there were initial fears that his legacy would fade after his death, it has remained remarkably strong, thanks largely due to the dedication and work of his son, Suluman.
The star has been recording regularly and holding sold-out gigs.
Sulu was at The Yard Restaurant, formerly Bar Rouge, nestled in the heart of Long Cheng Plaza in Harare last Friday.
Exuding confidence as ever, the singer showcased his artistic verve, belting out hit after hit.
Regulars at the show sang along to his playlist, and at times, he appeared to be in a trance.
He seemed to be in his own world and to say Chopper’s spirit had possessed him would not be a far-fetched assessment.
“It’s been a long time without my father and it feels like just yesterday that he departed this world, but we keep going.
“I just love it when fans continue to come to my shows.
“Everywhere I go, I always receive compliments from people who were loyal to my father and are now showing their support by attending our performances.
“To me, it’s a huge challenge that I carry on my shoulders because I can’t afford to let this legacy die just like that, my brother.”
Sulu added: “I can’t afford to short-change people because the stage means a lot to me. People pay to attend these shows, and we cannot afford to disappoint them. I always give my all, and it’s my wish to impress them. Every artist you see out there needs this kind of support for them to excel.”
Sulu has vowed to continue investing in his stage shows.
“The stage requires a lot of hard work, forward thinking, and positive communication with the fans.
“ You can be a good performer, but when your communication skills are poor, you’re as good as someone who hasn’t started music.
“I always do my best and try by all means to engage fans through my act, as we need to be on the same page.”
With the festive season fast approaching, Sulu confirmed that they were ready to rumble. “It’s a busy season where fans will be spending more, and the demand for entertainment will be high.
“We have lined up a series of shows and are ready to give fans flawless performances. My management has organised a detailed programme that will take me throughout the season.”
He urged fans to celebrate responsibly this festive season.
“Fans tend to get overly excited. In our line of work, we rely on the supporters who attend our shows, and we never want to lose them. They should take each season as it comes and treat each day normally,” he said.
Sulu also urged people to avoid drinking and driving.
“I often hear some people brag that they drive better when under the influence of alcohol, which is totally wrong.
“We should always try to be responsible on the roads to avoid accidents.” – HMetro
