Dance is an integral part of music: The inspiring ...

Dance is an integral part of music: The inspiring story of Wayne ‘Musoro Musoro’ Kembo

Edmore Zvinonzwa

EDITOR

Where some gyrate, turning and twisting their bossoms and waists, some engage in fancy footwork enough to bring any entertainment venue into delirium. The list is endless but there is a unique dance that combines footwork and unique turning, twisting and craning of heads by dancers in unison and has passed as the true dendera trademark - the musoro musoro dance style.

The dance style has also gone to prove that dance is indeed is an integral part of music, which half the time actually makes the whole act more interesting, complete and remains an indispensable component of the art.

The success of some of the music groups of yesteryear was not dependent on the lyrics and beat alone but the choreography as well.

The dendera music genre – through which departed brothers Simon and Naison Chimbetu kept audiences on their feet during live shows with the Marxist Brothers - was defined by a specific beat and lyrics which are complemented by the musoro musoro dance moves that have been characteristic of the genre.

The Orchestra Dendera Kings, Simon’s backing group following Naison’s departure, continued with the stage feats.

**Suluman Ass Comm Chimbetu, with mic, and Wayne 'Musoro Musoro' Kembo, in bow tie**

Orchestra Dendera Kings lead dancer, Wayne Kembo, popularly known as Musoro Musoro by his legions of fans, has become one of the defining assets of ODK since the time of Simon.

The musoro musoro dance has remained an integral part of the ODK.

“I joined the ODK during the days of Chopper (Simon Chimbetu) after one of the dancers, Gladman, had left for the United Kingdom. My late brother, Norman Kembo, who used to work with Leonard Karikoga Zhakata has a working rapport with Chopper and that is how I joined the ODK. As they say, the rest is history.

“I fitted in very easily and I would like to thank my brother Norman ‘MaTissue’. He is my inspiration,” said Musoro Musoro.

But where did the term musoro musoro emanate from?

“It is one of the popular dances of the dendera genre – a defining one for that matter – where the dancers use their heads. But please do not try these moves at work or anywhere else as you may get hurt.

“The death of Chopper on August 14, 2005 had quite an impact on the band and the fans. We later worked with Allan before Ass. Comm. (Suluman) came in. There have been ups and downs but so far so good.”

Now 40, Musoro Musoro, who has over 22 years working with the ODK, said there have always been dances “that suited Simon Chopper when we joined. There have been changes but these are not as deep as those of Simon’s days although we try to remain within dendera styles while adopting new styles.

“When I am on stage, the musoro musoro dance has become popular and fans enjoy it.

Born Wayne Kembo in Harare, Musoro Musoro had an artist brother, the late Norman. He is an ambulance technician, who also works with an ambulance organisation. He has worked with the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency, which he says has made him travel places in the country, meeting and networking with different people as well as cultures.

“Dancing is a talent. There are other dancers that I work with and we do routines that have wowed audiences across Zimbabwe and beyond,” said Musoro Musoro.

“Wherever we go, we raise the dendera flag with our dance routines. Our ultimate target is to make people happy. Musoro musoro uchiripo and tinochimhanya zvazviri (We do it in earnest),” said Musoro Musoro.

**Wayne 'Musoro Musoro' Kembo, the ambulance technician**

Married to Ruth Chirenda, Musoro Musoro has four daughters whom he has encouraged to work hard in school before taking up professional training.

The eldest of his daughters is 19, second born is in Form Two, third born Grade Four while the youngest is four years old.

“If I had boys, they would be trying these musoro musoro dances. My wife is very supportive, especially ensuring I am smart on stage. Kasmart kese kaya kamunoona pastage, mai mupfanha vanenge vatosota sota vachiziva kuti baba vari kuenda kubasa. (My wife makes sure I am properly dressed fo all stage occasions). The music industry is like fishing where you do not know how you will catch. With music, you cannot tell how many fans will attend your show.

**The Orchestra Dendera Kings in a dance routine**

“I would want to thank Sir Wicknell Chivhayo for giving our leader a car and I am hoping he will also remember Musoro Musoro and his popular ‘headers’ on stage,” said Musoro Musoro.