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The Philanthropic Chiremba Hwesa Masango




Written by Fred Farai Nyakudanga FFF


Hearing the name Zimtotems ricochet the custom practice of Zimbabweans. From long ago Africans identified themselves to unique prowess of particular animals as a way of distinguishing themselves from each other, hence they called each other by their totems. Zimtotems is an organisation that was established by Mr Struggle Dhlamini to exhibit his artistic, philanthropist and cultural preservation work.


If you are a regular reveller of the Zimbabwean entertainment circuit you might have met the Zimtotems Traditional Band playing. The band entertains families, patrons at various joints widespread across Zimbabwe. They usually hold their main show each and every Sunday where their fans are treated to Zimbabwean traditional music. Zimtotems Traditional Band plays at biras and national cultural events.




Mr Struggle Dhlamini referred to as Chiremba Hwesa Masango in the cultural circles says his vision is key on cultural art, philanthropy, cultural restoration, cultural tourism through toteism, and the popular guchu. Besides the band Zimtotems initiated the Zunde Ra Chiremba.


In the past years Zimtotems has been running various charity initiatives including donations to various Children Homes, people living with disabilities, Chikurubi female prison, Bumhudzo Old People’s Home , Chitungwiza Central Hospital Paediatric Ward, Share a Meal Saturdays with Harare CBD destitute people , Zunde Food Hampers for Vulnerable People; amongst other charity programs. This led to the initiation of the Zunde Ra Chiremba Food Bank.




The Zunde Ra Chiremba Food Bank initiative source partnerships, linkages, sponsorships and well-wishers to assist in the caring of children living with disabilities through food and other necessary donations. Zunde has 7 cell groups to date; Budiriro-GlenView ; Glen Norah-Highfield, Mufakose-Kambuzuma, Mbare, Mabvuku-Tafara, St Mary’s- Manyame and Kuwadzana-Dzivarasekwa. Each group has 20 kids and that makes them a total of 140 kids under Sekuru Hwesa’s spotlight.


The children’s needs range from; food provisions, wheelchairs, walkers, physiotherapy sessions, care and sanitary products. The situations around these children is very touching in the case that their super mothers end up single. Most of their time is spend on feeding and caring for the kids’ special needs.


Another amazing innovation of Chiremba Hwesa’s is the Zimbabwean totem based ringtones which are now available. The totem based ringtones are there to avail an alternative to those Zimbabweans who want to identify themselves with their customs. The ringtones are in song form and they spell and poetic as good as our ancestors used to refer to each other long ago. The studio recording has modernized the ringtones to match the English, Chinese and Indian ringtones we have always been subjected to.




Chiremba Hwesa said it has always been his wish to help others hence he has got time to manage all his ventures even if he is employed elsewhere. Each and every week his band Zimtotems plays 2 to 3 shows and they have to find time for rehearsal and practice. The 140 kids also demand his time and resources.


Chiremba Hwesa is so grateful to his fans and the general public for the donations that are deposited through mobile money and collection points constantly advertised on Zimtotems Facebook and social media.


Chiremba Hwesa’s immediate need is to build an arts centre that will combine with the philanthropic work. Plans are already in place to acquire a stand to start construction.




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