User:Fredrick Matenga

Sulumani Chimbetu and the Orchestra Dendera Kings
Sulumani Chimbetu (popularly known as ‘Sulu’) was born in Chegutu on 27 May 1982, he is the eldest of 10 siblings. He Attended Nyahuni Mission for his GCE ‘O’ levels and Ellis Robin High School for his ‘A’ Levels. He went to CCOSA College In Harare From 1999 To 2001. He was a former member of The Air Force of Zimbabwe, between 2003 and 2006. He is Married with 4 children. Sulu officially joined The Ochestra Dendera Kings in 2004, he worked alongside his Father Simon Chimbetu. In August 2005 his father Simon Chimbetu died leaving Sulu to lead the band. Sulu has not looked back since, he has become the most celebrated and decorated musician in Zimbabwe. The band is a 9 piece band comprising of a drummer, 2 guitars, acoustic, bass guitar and 4 dancers. To date Sulu has released four albums: Ndomusiya nani (2007), Reverse Deal (2009), Non Stop (2010) which featured the great Oliver Mtukudzi and his uncle Allan Chimbetu and Syllabus (2013) which featured the great saxophonist Phillip Svosve and Jah Prayzah on a song ‘Sean Timba’ popularly known as ‘Batai Munhu’. His debut album Ndomusiya Nani won the outstanding album in (2008) at the (National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) in Zimbabwe. He was also nominated to play at The Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) 2010. The second album ‘Reverse Deal’ won the NAMA outstanding album award in 2009. In 2011 he won the award For The Most outstanding musician at the NAMA Awards. In 2013 again at the NAMA awards Sulu scooped three awards, taking home the outstanding Male Musician, outstanding album ‘Syllabus’ and The Peoples Choice award. Apart from singing, Sulu can play the rhythm guitar and drums. Sulu is a good dancer as well, with the experience from the army, Sulu has excellent stamina to dance and perform tirelessly. Sulu and The Orchestra Dendera Kings have toured internationally; He has toured the Caribbean, Africa and Europe: Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa, Uganda, Seychelles And England (UK) to name a few. Under Sulu’s leadership the group has done exceptionally well touring the United Kingdom From 2006, 2010, 2012 and a Successful ‘BIG3’ Southern African Music and Arts (SAMA) Festival In June 2013 organised by Y2K Entertainment Promotions. Sulu has represented Zimbabwe courtesy of Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA). Sulu has participated at the Cape Town Carnival March 2013, The Seychelles Carnival February 2013, Zimbabwe International Carnival May 2013 and Uganda Carnival In July 2013. Sulu is supports a charity organisation, ’Vana Vedu Children Home’ which is in Chegutu Zimbabwe. Sulu’s interest is to take Dendera Music to every corner of the World and continue with charitable work.