30/01/2025
Leonard Dembo who was affectionately known as Musoro weNyoka was a talented Zimbabwean Sungura musician, songwriter and a guitarist who rose to stardom with his hit "Chitekete" which was played as a signature tune at the 1996 Miss World Pageant which was held in Namibia.[1]
Background
Dembo was born Kwangwarai Gwaindepi on 6 February 1959 in Chivi in Masvingo to Sukai Pasipanodaya.[2] He grew up being catered for by his mother in the absence of a father who had left the family. He went to different primary schools in Buhera, Bulawayo and he finally completed his primary education at Chembira Primary School in Mbare.[3] From Chembira, he relocated to Bulawayo in search of employment. He, however, relocated to Harare after 1980. He married Eunice Munatsi . His two sons, Morgan Dembo and Tendai Dembo took it upon themselves to revive Dembo's band, The Barura Express. They however eventually parted ways.
Leonard Dembo also had a daughter Fenistia Dembo.
Music career
It is reported that at age 9, Dembo was already interested in music and was determined to be a musician. After having failed to secure a job in Bulawayo, he focused more on developing his music career. Dembo joined the Spiders Band which was based in Zvimba together with Cyril Chinyani.[3] In 1982, he relocated to Harare where he joined The Outsiders and he subsequently released his first hit single, Venenzia.[4] He left the group and joined the Five Notes releasing songs such as "Mainge Majaira Matsotsi".
In 1985, he formed his band the Barura Express recording a number of songs that have stood the test time and still have relevance, decades after their composition. Although Venenzia was described by many as a timeless hit, it was "Chitekete" that really established Dembo as a distinct artist. So popular was the song that it was played at the Miss World Pageant in Namibia in 1996 and the song was also voted Zimbabwe's Silver Jubilee best song, despite competing with other great compositions such as
