Online Reporter
MANY moons ago, in the vibrant entertainment scenes of Mutoko, Murewa and parts of Nyamapanda, two titans, Madzeka and Chibanguza, ruled the night.
These entertainment hubs, spearheaded by the late Charles “Madzeka” Bvunzawabaya and Chibanguza Snr (also named Charles, if our memory serves us right), engaged in a fierce and entertaining rivalry, constantly vying for patrons and ultimately enriching the lives of the public.
The two entities took turns to bring in musical powerhouses, hosting legends like Leonard Zhakata, Alick Macheso, the late Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu, the Ngwenya Brothers, Nicholas Zacharia, Somandla “Mafia” Ndebele and numerous Urban Grooves artistes.
Madzeka night clubs and Chibanguza establishments, situated in these areas, became pulsating centres of entertainment.
Their competition, however, often turned nasty. The two businessmen-turned-promoters frequently accused each other of sabotage and underhand tactics.
One notorious instance involved accusations of manipulating Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) officials to cut off power supplies, particularly during peak hours, to disrupt rival events.
In those days, power outages were rare, making such disruptions a significant blow to a venue’s business.
Furthermore, they frequently staged competing events on the same nights.
One particularly memorable clash occurred when Chibanguza hosted the revered dendera legend, Simon Chimbetu, while Madzeka countered with a performance by the then-rising sungura sensation, Alick Macheso.
Imagine the spectacle!
Despite these clashes, the public ultimately benefitted from this fierce contest. With these two establishments in close proximity, revellers could easily move between venues throughout the night, enjoying a diverse range of top-tier entertainment.
However, the demise of these entertainment giants seemed to mark the end of an era for entertainment in the Murewa district.
Fast forward to the present, a prominent lawyer and aspiring promoter, Jivas Mudimu, has emerged to reignite the old flame.
Through his newly established Jidim Entertainment, he seeks to revitalise the local entertainment scene by identifying and nurturing talent. At the same time, he is bringing world-class entertainment to the community.
Mudimu has already established a recording studio and two prominent nightclubs: Jidim Rukanda (Mutoko Centre) and Jidim Mutondo (Makaha).
A third club is currently under construction and slated for completion later this year.
“The studio is located in Makaha. Our inaugural project, ‘Jidim Riddim’, was recorded and released this year (2025). We are collaborating with renowned producers like Samcris and Terry Gunz of Digital Claims Records,” said Mudimu.
“Jidim Riddim” boasts a diverse line-up of 67 artistes.
Fifteen established musicians are part of the project, while the remaining artistes are promising newcomers discovered within Mutoko, Murewa, Mudzi and surrounding areas.
Seasoned musicians featured on the riddim include Hwindi President, Silent Killer, Boom Betto, Mostaff, T-Makwikwi, Kadjah, Sniper Storm, Guspy Warrior, Gina Marina, Kinna, D-Flexx and Kabhidha.
“We are recording both established and aspiring singers at no cost. Through this initiative, we have uncovered exceptional talent within Murewa and Mutoko. However, a dedicated team rigorously screens these artistes, ensuring only the most promising candidates enter the studio,” explained Mudimu.
“We officially unveiled the project on ZiFM, with Etherton Beenie taking charge of proceedings. The medley and music videos for some of the songs have been completed and are scheduled for release this coming Friday (last week). Jidim Entertainment is solely funding this ambitious project.”
Mutoko is rapidly becoming a thriving hub of entertainment, thanks to the lawyer’s investments.
Almost all of the aforementioned singers have already performed at either Jidim Rukanda or Jidim Mutondo since these venues opened their doors late last year.
This Saturday, dendera sensation Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu will grace the stage. Following Sulu, Seh Calaz and Crystal will entertain fans at Rukanda on Valentine’s Day, while the trending Silent Killer, alongside Dhadza D, will perform on February 16.
“We have primarily hosted Zimdancehall artistes and Afro-fusion singer Andy Muridzo in the past. Sulu, who has recently completed his upcoming album, will grace our stage on February 1. This marks the official launch of our sungura performances.
“While other clubs exist in the area, I do not view them as competitors. I believe we share a common mission: to entertain the public and foster local talent,” he said.
Mudimu believes the community has been incredibly supportive of his endeavours.
“There are numerous talented young individuals in the area who lack proper exposure,” he noted.
“Our studio and clubs aim to address this by providing them with the necessary platform.”
Budding talents are collaborating with Samcris, a seasoned producer formerly with Chillspot Records, who has worked with renowned artistes such as Winky D, Killer T and the late Soul Jah Love.
“The clubs offer a unique opportunity for these young artistes to interact and learn from music giants on stage.
“Our primary objective is to provide fans with high-quality entertainment, bringing top-tier and trending performers directly to their doorstep.”
The inspiration for investing in Mutoko stems from his personal background.
“These developments are driven by my desire to give back to the community. I grew up in Mutoko, having been born in Makaha. I understand the challenges faced by young people in remote areas with limited resources,” he explained.
“I operate Mudimu Law Chambers, the only law firm at Mutoko Centre. While these projects require significant capital investment, we are committed to their success. People on the outskirts have limited disposable income compared to those in urban centres.”
Mudimu credits seasoned promoter and 105 Entertainment founder and director Josh Hozheri as a key inspiration for his venture in music promotion.
“Hozheri has provided invaluable advice and insights into potential pitfalls within the entertainment industry,” he said.
“My ambitions extend beyond Mutoko. I plan to replicate these efforts across the country and even internationally. We will be organising several major events, including music festivals and commemorative gigs, later this year.”
