Shiga Shiga replaced

Shiga Shiha holding Mike

Utakataka Express Saturday night stage a gig in front of their home fans at Tropicana Hotel, in their first show since losing chanter Shiga Shiga and bassist Spencer “Bolt Cutter” Kumulani. The band, led by the late Tongai Moyo’s son Peter, last played in Kwekwe last year at a Unity Day family show which was attended by over 2 000 revellers, then with crowd-warmer Shiga Shiga and Spencer who have since joined Energy Mutodi’s outfit.

Speaking to NewsDay, band manager and sound engineer Sukulube Dube said he would be filling Shiga Shiga’s big shoes while Savious Karikodzi will ably control the all-important bass guitar for the sungura outfit. “I will take over from Shiga Shiga while Savious has replaced Spencer in a show that our fans should not miss,” said Dube a singer in his own right.

Dube, who has worked with Utakataka Express for a long time, said the sungura outfit is too big to collapse simply because some musicians have left the stable. “The contributions they made were valued and while we would have been happy to have them with us, they have left and we have to continue. You have to know that Tongai Moyo built Utakataka into a big brand which cannot close down over (the departure of) two artists,” he said.

Shiga Shiga, who is originally from Democratic Republic of Congo, was an instrumental figure in the band as he wowed the crowd during live shows giving Dhewa a distinct advantage in the world of sungura and fans will be waiting to see if his absence will be felt. Equally Spencer — christened “Bolt Cutter” by Tongai Moyo after he came in to rescue Utakataka when former bassist Ronny Mudindo and the late band leader had a fallout at a show in Mutare — a major member of the outfit.

Peter will team up with Manunure High School teacher Tawanda Jumo (Bantuman I) and his Steelthrobe Band for the lovers’ weekend show. Utakataka’s former bassist Mudindo and his vaZvamburi will also feature at the show. (NewsDay)