Sydney Mubaiwa
MIDLANDS BUREAU CHIEF

CHAKA- Late sungura maestro Leonard Dembo’s family and other musicians are holding a concert to celebrate his life exactly 27 years after his death on April 9, 1996. Leonard Dembo was born Kwangwari Gwaendepi on February 6, 1959 in Chivi, Masvingo province.

Dembo’s son, Tendai confirmed the concert to The Mirror which will be held at Chaka Business Centre in Chirumhanzu.
“As the Dembo family together with other musicians, we are organising to hold a musical memorial concert for the late Sungura kingpin at Chaka Business Centre on April 9 which coincides with the day he died in 1996.

“The event will be filled with music and dance as well as reflecting on the life, philosophy and message of the man who has been described by his fans as a musical hero,” he said.
He also said Dembo’s Barura Band surviving members will be at the concert and fans are free to interact and discuss with them.

The Dembo homestead is exactly two kilometers from Chaka business centre, next to Gonawapotera Secondary School under Village head Mhere.
Government recently announced plans to confer Dembo a national hero status during his death’s silver jubilee celebrations at his homestead last year.

The announcement was made by the Midlands Provincial Arts and Culture Development Promotions Administrator Shackson Reward during the Dembo 25th Silver Jubilee and tombstone unveiling ceremony held at his homestead.