Biography

Born: Zvishavane, Zimbabwe - 1952
Died: Zimbabwe - 1997

Deep Horizon consisted of:
Jonah Sithole (guitar, vocals - pictured)
Moses Mullah (vocals, guitar, keyboards)
James Manyungwa (drums, vocals)
Everson Gore (percussion, mbira)
Ashton Mutaviri (bass, keyboards)
Samuel Mutemeri (percussion)
photo © Fred Hines

Despite being known as the mastermind behind the wizardry of the Thomas Mapfumo mbira-guitar rhythms, few know that Sithole actually started his career as a bassist. After getting turfed from school for being a troublemaker, Jonah followed his guitar-playing brother, joining the Jairos Jiri Kwela Kings in 1969 as a bassist. He moved to lead guitar when he joined Harare's Limpopo Jazz Band, and played with the Congo natives until they were deported in 1973. In 1974 he had a short stint with The Great Sounds, and he then proceeded to join The Pepsi Combo until his chance meeting with Mapfumo. Jonah and Thomas formed The Black Spirits, but they didn't last long and soon parted company. Rethinking their former partnership, Sithole and Mapfumo re-united under the moniker The Black Spirits and didn't look back until 1981, when Sithole left the band. It was during this time that Sithole helped create Mapfumo's signature chimurenga guitar sound.

Jonah did do some solo work between 1981 and 1985, until he re-joined the Black Unlimited at Mapfumo's request. Their second partnership lasted until 1988, when Sithole again left to work with singer Dorothy Masuko. Sithole himself became a band leader in 1992 when he formed Deep Horizon. Their greatest hits album was released for international consumption in 1996 by the Zimbob label. Only two years befire his death, hard times forced Sithole to re-join Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited. Jonah Sithole died of AIDS in 1997.

Afropop Bio
Afropop Interview

Source: Roots Rocking in Zimbabwe by Fred Zindi and Afropop.

Discography (limited)

Sabhuku - Legends of Zimbabwe Vol.1	ZimBob (Zim4)	1996
Cherenjera Unpenyu		1993
Chigumbu Chakuva	Kumusha	1984

Sabhuku - Legends of Zimbabwe Volume 1

Released: 1996
Label: Zimbob - Zim4
Format: CD
Running Time: 70 minutes, 10 tracks.
Stocked by: Dandemutande, Amazon, Stern's, Zimsounds

Compilation includes 10 tracks from 1992-1996, when Sithole lead Deep Horizon. Hard times forced Jonah to leave the band. He rejoined Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited in 1995. Cheapest at ZimSite.