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Rodwell Mhosva Marasha, who was known in the entertainment circles as Biggie Tembo, committed suicide at Harare Hospital in 1995, putting an end to his blossoming musical career, that at one saw him share the stage with Madonna at Wembley Stadium back in the 1980s.

Since then, nothing has been done to celebrate the life achievements of this late great music legend, who strummed his first guitar in Chinhoyi, and later became a household name not only in Zimbabwe, but also across the globe.
And tomorrow’s gig will be the first to celebrate Tembo’s life achievements.

What makes this event special is the fact is that it will feature children of the country’s music legends, his own son, Biggie Tembo Jnr and Bhundu Boys Crew, Selmor and Tendai Manatsa, Chibadura Brothers and Ronnie Chataika.
Apart from the children of the legends, other musicians that are billed to perform are Taruvinga “Sugar Sugar” Manjokota, Jones Mabhande, Albert Nyathi and Bob Nyabinde among others.

In an interview, Biggie Tembo Jnr said the gig would present local musicians with an opportunity to celebrate the life of his late father.
“It is a chance to showcase that Jiti music is still alive and I am carrying on from where my father left,” said Tembo Jnr.

Biggie Tembo Jnr has continued in his fathers footsteps and to date, the young man has released one album titled “Rwendo” and a promotional video for the hit song “Simbimbino”.
Apart from celebrating the life of his father, Tembo Jnr also said the memorial gig would also double up as a fund-raising event to enable his (Bhundu Boys Crew) band to buy musical instruments.

The artiste also took time to praise the corporate world for the support that they have given his group.
“I would like to thank music promoters especially the owner of Megga 1 Bar, Mr Ben Mukandi, who has given us the platform to showcase our talent by providing instruments and a venue to stage our shows,” said Tembo.

Tembo Jnr, who was in the company of Jones Mabhande, a former drummer with the Zig Zag Band and a friend of his late father, urged fans to come in their thousands to support the gala.
“I urge all music lovers to throng Megga 1 Bar and be taken down memory lane with blasts from the past,” said Mabhande.

The memorial gala for Biggie Tembo will become an annual event on Zimbabwe’s entertainment calendar.
Webster Shamu, the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity and also the patron of Zimbabwe Union of Musicians, is expected to grace the event as the guest of honour.