SIMON Chimbetu, the dethroned king of sungura, says he is ready to shine again after polishing up his act which had seen his support base wane in recent months.

"I am ready to explode and those who believe I am a spent force have not known me and my music, which has a place among my followers," Chimbetu said in an interview.

The energetic singer said nothing has changed in his style of music which he calls Dendera, except that he has matured in his delivery.

Said Chimbetu: "I have been in the showbiz for over 20 years and for a young man to label me a spent force is tantamount to comparing his age with his father's. A Chopper only lands when it completes its mission."

He said the Dendera Kings have been polishing their act to reclaim top spot in the music industry.

"As a group, we realised that our quality is still the same and this how we managed to draw crowds in our recent tour of the United Kingdom," Chimbetu said. Chimbetu was in the UK together with Alick Macheso where they played in combined concerts for Zimbabweans living broad.

The gifted Chimbetu has been criticised by music fans for his open support for the ruling party, Zanu PF, which he has been part of since his days in the liberation struggle.

Despite delivering scintillating sounds, Chimbetu suffered a knock on his support base which dwindled to discouraging numbers.

Among the things that disappointed his fans was his regular performances at Zanu PF functions, which they deemed unfit because of the party's internationally-condemned record of violence and flagrant disregard of the rule of law.

But Chimbetu said: "People just say things for the sake of drawing unnecessary attention. I am a musician whose job is to sing about any issue, and I do that without consultations. Whatever I do, I do it above board."

"We as artists have a role to play in society and besides, I don't do party politics but my interests lie in nationalism," Chimbetu told The Daily News. "If there is something wrong, I respond like any other citizen of this country."

Chimbetu said his focus is on reclaiming the number one tag from Macheso, who has maintained a fine run on the domestic music charts.

Meanwhile, Macheso has managed to raise sales of his album, Simbaradzo, to more than 350 000 copies two years after its release. "I have been doing a lot of self-introspection and I believe my music will take me back to the top," Chimbetu said.

"It is healthy to have every musician succeed and it is encouraging when it (success) is shared. But I still need that share at the top."

Chimbetu, who began his career together with young brother Naison in 1980, is one of those talented musicians who have remained focused despite criticism from the press.

"Journalists will always do their work without us musicians telling them what to write and when they criticise us, it is still healthy," Chimbetu said.

In his music career, Chimbetu has recorded quite a number of chart-busting albums .

Included are Mwana WeDangwe, Kunjere Kunjere, Africa, Kuipa Chete, Boterekwa, Karikoga, Dendera Resango, Samatenga, Pachipamwe, Survival Lullaby, Africa Panorama 1, 2000 Blend, Africa Panorama 2 and Hoko, among impressive other works.