John Chibhodoro Muyambo – When the Drum and The Drummer Became One

John Chibhodoro Muyambo

By Tapfuma Machakaire

As if possessed by some spirit, a short light in complexion drummer pounds on his twin drums with both hands, occasionally leaping into the air like a kangaroo in haphazard fashion.

He bashes one drum with his forehead before landing safely on his feet.  All the action, which the drummer performs with his mouth wide open, eyes gazing into the sky, is executed with ease and poise that make it apparent to the audience they were witnessing a genius at work serving a “delicious entertainment dish”.

For almost six decades John “Chibhodoro” Muyambo entertained revellers at musical shows where he has performed with different groups in many parts of Zimbabwe and abroad.

Chibhodhoro, who is arguably the best percussionist known for fascinating theatrical playing of the drums, began his career by entertaining worshipers in the Zion Apostolic Church in his home area, Chipinge, Manicaland Province.

Muyambo was born in 1950 in Chipinge and did his primary education at Dangare Primary School in Sakubva high density suburb in the eastern border town of Umtali now Mutare.

His natural skill in playing Ngoma, the African drum in church saw him become the preferred drummer at functions such as weddings. Muyambo says he used to admire the late Jethro Shasha, a popular drummer who back then, was playing with the Great Sounds in Harare.

In 1968 Muyambo moved to Masvingo where he joined the Mangoes a group that was owned by a businessman called Madondo. After spending just a year in Masvingo Muyambo moved to Harare where he intended to join his role model Shasha. In a recent interview posted on youTube, Muyambo says he proceeded to Vito Tarven in Mbare where Shasha was supposed to be performing. “When I got to Vito, I was denied entry because of my height which made me appear like a young boy.”

He said he stood outside until somebody from the crowd recognised him as the short talented drummer. ”I soon learnt that Jethro Shasha and Manu Kambane had not turned up for the show as they had gone to the Federal Hotel popularly known as Fed to join another group.”

Muyambo said he was referred to Dominic Mandizha who after a short discussion asked him to demonstrate his skill with the group and that is how he joined the Great Sounds.

It was then that Muyambo started interacting with other big names in the industry that included Jonah Sithole who was staying at Mandizha’s place where the new drummer was also accommodated.

In 1978 Muyambo met famous comedian and musician Safirio “Mukadota” Madzikatire at Mutanga Night Club at Machipisa business centre in Highfields. The two agreed to work together. This was to be the beginning of a comical affair which was to have an equally dramatic end, years after the partnership had created a hilarious musical and drama group in Zimbabwe.

Muyambo says he was responsible for recruiting most of the ladies who worked with Madzikatire in the Ocean City band. These include the likes of Katarina, Machaipisa and Winnie.

It was during the period with Mukadota that Muyambo was nicknamed Chibhodoro which means a bottle and this was in reference to his miniature stature. In the television drama series Mhuri YavaMukadota, Chibhodhoro played the character of a funny man who always brewed trouble for the main actor Baba Rwizi. Baba Rwizi was played by Madzikatire himself, the architect of the legendary show.

Chibhodhoro praised Madzikatire for his talent in music and acting and says he learnt a lot from the man.

“He was talented and he had a unique way of doing things. He wanted everyone in the band to also take part in his dramas. We loved the way he created scenes when we were rehearsing. We did not need a serious storyline. He just gave us guidelines and everything flowed. Besides being strict, he was also a hilarious character in real life.”

In 1984 Muyambo and the entire Ocean City Band left Madzikatire following a misunderstanding over remuneration and working conditions. The group travelled to Bulawayo where they met Oliver Mutukudzi who had also been deserted by his band just before a scheduled recording in South Africa.

“We met Tuku with his manager Jack Sadza. They hired us and we went to do an album together. We were met at the airport in South Africa by Steve Kekana who had a good relationship with Jack then”.

The group recorded the album -Please Ndapota- with hits such as Born in the Ghetto and Vekubereka.

Muyambo says he later joined the New Sounds of Africa, a band that had come from the DRC. He had a lucrative tour of Europe with the group which saw him build a seven-roomed house in Budiriro high density suburb.

Muyambo says Mukadota later approached him and the two agreed on a reunion. Muyambo was to leave Mukadota in a very unceremonious way after attempting to request for a loan.

“I left Mukadota’s band through the window. I literally jumped out of a venue through a window just before a show. We were at a show at Nyamutamba hotel Chitungwiza and someone had told me about a house that was being sold in the area and I wanted to get a loan from the boss.

I approached him before the show at backstage and told him about my plan. His response was ‘are you mad?’ and I did not understand it. It was so disheartening because the money I wanted was not much since the seller had a good payment plan,” he said.

Muyambo is now playing drums with a group led by Veteran jazz musician Tanga WekwaSando, an artiste famed for his mastery in mixing humour with a serious message in his songs. Muyambo also features on a television series, Tiriparwendo, playing the character of Ziso, the all Seeing Eye.

He says he often performs solo acts at schools and the kids love his shows. Muyambo is married and has six children, three boys and three girls and 11 grandchildren.

Age is now catching up with the man whom in his language they say anokwapaidza ngoma, meaning he plays drums in an extra ordinary way.