Chazezesa Challengers
Chazezesa Challengers are a Zimbabwean Sungura band formed in 1993 in Chitungwiza by System Tazvida after he left the Khiama Boys and the Sungura Boys because he was not getting royalties. He gathered experienced players, including his brother Peter on bass. The group, also known as Boyz DzeSmoko, blended sungura with jazz, South African mbaqanga and traditional sounds, creating a popular mix.
They released hit albums in the late 1990s. Debut Rudo Tsika Nemagariro sold over 20,000 copies, and Mutunhu Unemago sold over 30,000. Some top songs are Anodyiwa Haature, Kaserura Ndizvo, Smoko, Ndiridze Mhere, Ukarambwa Usacheme, and Vaforomani.
System Tazvida liked performing for rural crowds who sang along and danced at live shows. The Challengers were known for humorous love lyrics and satirical themes. They even toured Mozambique, where they were popular.
Tragedy struck as drummer Wezhira Shoko and System Tazvida both died around the turn of the millennium. Peter Tazvida, System’s brother who led the group after his death, also died in mid-2002. The band did not stop; under Lee Roy Lunga they released their twelfth album Smoko Pachena/Chabvondoka in December 2002. However, interest in Smoko waned and sales declined.
The Chazezesa Challengers run various community projects in Zimbabwe. They operate a soccer team for the unemployed, a children’s club, their own studios, and a mechanic business.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 05:14 (CET).