Allan Chimbetu

BIO

Allan Chimbetu was born on 12 February 1972 in Chegutu, Zimbabwe. He is the last born in a family of eight. His late brother Simon was the eldest child. He is married to Tambudzai Sithole and the couple has four children. He did his primary education at Mahwada and Msengezi Schools respectively. He attended his secondary school at St Peter’s High School in Highfield, Harare. He, together with his late brothers, Simon and Naison, are founding members of the dendera music genre. He ventured into music in early 1980s.

He began as bouncer for his brother (Simon’s) shows. This prompted him to acquire a Black Belt in martial arts. He was later incorporated in the band and his talent in the lead and rhythm guitars was clearly visible. He has released some of the following songs: ‘Usaende pa Barika’, ‘Ndaremerwa’, ‘Newspaper’, ‘Pane Asipo", ‘Window’ and ‘Tenda’. He took over the reins prior to the death of his brother Simon. He managed the band for some time but was later involved in a dispute with Suluman Chimbetu who is Simon’s son. He was then banished and went on to try his luck in creating his own band, Orchestra Dendera Kings Central Committee. The launch of the band saw him releasing three albums with the band namely ‘Sony’, ‘Professor’ and ‘Simukai’.

In 2011, he left his band in charge of his son Douglas prior to joining Sulumani Chimbetu's Dendera Kings. This was meant to avoid forming another dendera ensemble as there were already three bands. The move was bent on returning to the founding principles of maintaining a one united dendera outfit. In January 2014, he performed with his son Douglas at City Sports Bar sparking speculation the two could soon be re-uniting.